Tips and tricks

Often, a student will come to lessons and be proud of the fact that they actaully got excited that week about playing and practiced. Then they are quickly discouraged when the lesson plan doesn't go as smoothly as they thought it would.If this has happened to you in the past, the remedy is quite simple. As I tell everyone....one of the most important things for me as a student (yes I still learn too) is to make practice a daily habit. It is much more effective to practice 5 minutes a day (yes just 5 minutes can make a huge difference) every day than to practice for 3 hours one day........1 hour three days later .....and 10 hours for a whole day a week after that last time you touched your guitar. Consistancy and persistancy are always the best medicine.

I have been asked a lot lately how often strings should be changed. It really depends on several factors such as how much you play your guitar, what kind of daily care you give it, the type of strings you use, personal preference,etc. Here are some good indicators that it is "time to change". 1. If you can't recall the last time you changed them...its probably time. 2. If a string breaks from normal usuage.....it's probably time. 3. If they feel gritty or rusty ...... It is definately time.

I generally change mine once a week or so...but keep in mind I play anywhere from 2 to 5 hours everyday therefore they do wear out a little quicker than someone else's may. One thing is for sure.....a new set of strings on your guitar is like a picnic in the park on a warm summer day.....it just doesn't get much better!!

While I highly encourage us all to find some sort of work ethic to better ourselves as players, there can be a lot said for just goofing off. Many times after becoming frustrated with a particular lesson I am working on, I will stray from the set course and sort of musically doodle and daydream. I find that several things happen here: 1. I often discover a cool little "hook" or "idea" that could be a new song. 2. I begin to relax and fall in love all over again with playing. 3. Inevitably, what ever I am studing in my lesson worms its way into my doodle. 4. When I get back on task I find a new enthusiasm, determination and ease for conquering the challenge I was having.

Imagine what music would be like if it didn't have a steady beat! That would be like having a bowl of ice cream without the bowl.....pretty messy mental picture huh?? I know that many of you who are just getting started may have trouble just figuring out where the heck your fingers go and what all those little dots on the page of music means. However, you may want pay attention to what I am about to say and if you are to the point where I have given you the C Major scale, you definetly want to listen up.Keeping a steady rhythm is crucial to playing good music. You can develop this in your playing by using a metronome while you practice your songs and especially while you are practicing your scales. You can buy a metronome at most music stores and I recommend it highly. The Bible Gift Shoppe in Greenville carries them and they are very inexpensive.Remember......the key to your success is playing the right thing at the right time :-)

Taking care of your guitar in cold weather is very important especially if you take it with you on the go. If you are like me,you like to warm the car up before you go somewhere. I would suggest waiting to take your guitar to the car until you are ready to roll and the car is starting to warm up. As soon as you get where you are going take it in doors right away. Keeping your guitar in a comfortable temperature will cuase it to stress less and hold tuning more.

This weeks tip is very simple yet very powerful.I heard a saying one time that did not make much sense to me at first.It said "Always lie to yourself; Never lie to yourself." Ya......that's what I thought too! A bunch of double talking hoooeyy!Then it was explained in this light. When we as humans are confronted with falling short of our aim, we begin to make up excuses for why we did not reach the target we were shooting for. You know......we say stuff like "well....I didn't have enough time" or "It was just to difficult". We lie to ourselves to ease the pain of the truth...whatever that may be. Instead, we should confront the real issue and vow not to let it become our unsurmountable obstacle. In this respect we should never lie to ourselves. On the other hand.....in moments when the doomsayer within is whispering in our ears...you know ......The one that says"Boy am I stupid." or "Man, I can't do that, I am a clutz" This is when we SHOULD ABSOLUTELY LIE TO OURSELVES and say things like " I can't believe I did that.....that is not like me I am very co'ordinated" Even if this is a bald face lie for the moment, if you do this enough your beliefs will change and your actions along with them.

Did you ever observe one of those people who just pick up things quickly and never seem to have to put forth any effort?? You know the type --- straight A's and never took a book home!! I have never been fortunate enough to personally experience that! I have had to do things with an extra effort, sometimes just to barely get the drift of whatever it is I am trying to learn or accomplish. After having talked to these "folks" who seem to have little trouble with things, I discovered that most of them will admit that enventually they hit a "wall" and have knuckle down just like everyone else. Their advice to us all.......create good habits for steady study even when it is coming easy, this way you are prepared for tougher challenges ahead. This is a great defense against getting discouraged before you reach your desired oucome.

Many students just want to be able to pick the guitar up and begin playing tunes by their favorite bands right out of the starting gate. While a few gifted souls can do this...the rest of us must travel a path that is a bit more frustrating. Learning to "pick up" a song you like usually takes some time to be able to do. Your ear has to develop.So while it is doing just that, help it along and experience less frustration. Instead of trying to learn that furious lead, note for note and that rhythem that has the tonal spectrum of a good, healthy rainbow, try picking out just the melody (you know .... the main part you can easily whistle or hum) on just one or two strings. This is a lot of fun and can be a very rewarding experience.