We are always learning or finding out something new about our favourite pastime so let’s take a look at some goals to strive for as guitarists.
Establish a practise regime
I think we are all guilty of this one…
You sit down with your number one guitar, tuned up, plugged in, ready to rock! Then you sit noodling on the same riffs, chords or scales we’ve been playing for years. Between those and potentially getting distracted by your phone or computer, it can be a little tough to feel like you are progressing in your playing without some guidelines to keep you on track.
This is where having even a small practice regime can help immensely! Whether it is an intensive, multi layered, hours long practise session where you go over everything from music theory to metronome practise, or even just a solid 20 minutes where you go over just one thing you’ve had in mind, you’d be surprised what even just a small amount of uninterrupted, focused practice can do for you and your playing.
Right now, we're giving away 3 months of online lessons with selected guitars. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, these are a great for learning some new songs and just shaking up your routine.
Learn a new instrument
Carrying on with learning something new in 2022, how many guitarists out there have fancied picking up an entirely new instrument?
You’d be surprised with how much of the knowledge you have gained so far can translate over to another instrument and vice versa!
Whether it be picking yourself up an electric keyboard or piano to help with songwriting or to widen your knowledge on chord voicings or working on that rhythm with an electric drum kit, there’s a ton of options to spread that musical skill…certainly doesn’t make load in at gigs any easier for you though ??
Learn to maintain your instrument
Don’t get me wrong, a guitar set up is an intimidating thing, usually left to the professionals to avoid damage to your pride and joy. There are a few things that even the most novice of luthier can get the hang of.
From basic cleaning and conditioning of the body and fretboard (trust me, a bit of lemon oil on a rosewood/pau ferro fretboard goes a long way), to being able to change your strings by yourself, learning how to take extra care of your instruments will not only help their lifespan but also will make the time spent with them a little more enjoyable.
Record/release your own music
Certainly for us, recording and releasing your own music seemed like a thing that was unachievable without going to a pro level studio and having a massive record company behind you, but now, more than ever, it is possible to do this all from the comfort of your own spare room/studio!
With a plethora of affordable and high quality interfaces, from the iconic Focusrite Scarlett series to the pro level Universal Audio Apollo, it’s easier than ever to get your ideas out of your head and recorded.
These days you don’t even need a laptop or computer either to get your tracks down. Guitarist Steve Lacy, who has worked with acts such as Kendrick Lamar and Vampire Weekend to name a few, made his break by producing songs via garageband on his iPhone.
All that’s left now is for you to produce the riffs!
Join a band
Playing music with other people can be some of the most fun you can have in your guitar journey! Not only is blasting some original songs, or even covers, with a group of folk a right good time, but you’d be surprised how much it can help your own playing and progression.
From working on timing, to just throwing ideas back and forth, getting fellow musicians opinions on things will not only make you a better player but will allow you to look at an idea or concept in a totally different light.
Even if the end goal isn’t to play gigs, or even if you only jam with one other musician, it will help you immensely.
Do you have any particular goals or resolutions you want to achieve this year? Leave a comment below and let us know!
