subject: When You're Following Guitar Tutorials, Mixed Up Practice Will Keep You Motivated! [print this page] When You're Following Guitar Tutorials, Mixed Up Practice Will Keep You Motivated!
Many following an online course of guitar tutorials make progress at a steady pace. Some even find they have a natural talent for the instrument, and find they can make great strides forward with little effort. And the third group is those who, while getting there, feel it is taking longer than expected. There are many reasons why this may be the case - let's take a look at one.A number of students following guitar tutorials fall into the trap of needing to become accomplished at every thing they see in one lesson, to the exception of anything else - and before they will even look, or attempt, anything else. Whilst their motives are sound, this tunnel vision approach can actually stifle progress. The student may not give up - they feel they are doing OK - but this can mean that it can take them years to build even a most basic proficiency.Guitar proficiency can best be achieved through a non-linear approach. By this, I mean that many concepts can be worked on simultaneously, without the need to completely master each and everything you see one by one.An analogy I could make here is when you learn to drive a car. In lesson one you would not learn simply how to change gears, the next lesson braking, and the third lesson how to operate the indicators. This would be foolhardy (not to mention dangerous). You learn complementary techniques as you go along. The attitude to learning guitar can be similar.As you receive your guitar training you will be given access to a range of skills and methodology. A lot of your training will regard technique, for example, whilst some will be about music theory. You don't need to work only on technique to the absolute exception of all else. You should be attempting to practice daily (for at least 30 minutes). We all know that practice can get a little tedious - even to the most dedicated of musicians. But if you break this down to one day learning guitar chords, and the next studying theory, for example, you may find it becomes easier to keep motivated. Plus you will actually be improving your rate of progress. Applying and integrating a variety of skills will greatly enhance your chances of mastering the guitar in a decent timeframe. As you learn a new skill or technique, think about what you have learned before, and how you can apply it. Don't become obsessed with only looking at one small aspect of your overall training, and overlooking other vital learning. Plan to practice by mixing it up a bit, and you will find that this approach will help you build complementary skills, and become a 'Jack Of All Trades' instead of 'Master Of One'.
