Friday, May 31, 2013
Whats Your Excuse
Having trouble finding time to practice?
We all have busy schedules, but those that really want to learn guitar simply find the time! Ive heard enough excuses that Ive toyed with the idea of writing "The Beginning Guitarists Excuse Book.) Kids, family, work, vacations, you name it, theres a never ending list of excuses.
Get up earlier? Are you kidding me?
Learning to play guitar, or any other instrument, requires commitment and time to practice. Too many people are content with practicing 15 to 20 minutes a few days a week, then upset because they dont see much progress. I go through their typical day, and if it seems like theres not a spare minute, they look at me like Im a space alien when I suggest staying up later or getting up earlier.
"I havent practiced, should I come to my lesson anyway?"
Another pet peeve. You should absolutely come to your guitar lesson anyway, we can still teach you something. Skipping the lesson is like skipping the gym, the more you do it the easier it becomes. Your guitar teacher can find lots of ways to fill the time even if you havent picked up the guitar all week. You can work on theory, rhythm, scales, finger exercises, or just spend the lesson doing what you should have done all week, practice.
"Im going to take a short hiatus."
Again, bad idea. I can tell you with absolute certainty that the vast majority dont come back, or at least not in a short time frame. Usually its a couple years later, accompanied with lamenting about how they should have stuck with it.
The bottom line.
The bottom line is that if youre going to pursue anything, playing music, writing a book, learning a skill or a hobby, you have to commit yourself to it. My theory is that if you really, truly want to do it, youll find the time.
We all have busy schedules, but those that really want to learn guitar simply find the time! Ive heard enough excuses that Ive toyed with the idea of writing "The Beginning Guitarists Excuse Book.) Kids, family, work, vacations, you name it, theres a never ending list of excuses.
Get up earlier? Are you kidding me?
Learning to play guitar, or any other instrument, requires commitment and time to practice. Too many people are content with practicing 15 to 20 minutes a few days a week, then upset because they dont see much progress. I go through their typical day, and if it seems like theres not a spare minute, they look at me like Im a space alien when I suggest staying up later or getting up earlier.
"I havent practiced, should I come to my lesson anyway?"
Another pet peeve. You should absolutely come to your guitar lesson anyway, we can still teach you something. Skipping the lesson is like skipping the gym, the more you do it the easier it becomes. Your guitar teacher can find lots of ways to fill the time even if you havent picked up the guitar all week. You can work on theory, rhythm, scales, finger exercises, or just spend the lesson doing what you should have done all week, practice.
"Im going to take a short hiatus."
Again, bad idea. I can tell you with absolute certainty that the vast majority dont come back, or at least not in a short time frame. Usually its a couple years later, accompanied with lamenting about how they should have stuck with it.
The bottom line.
The bottom line is that if youre going to pursue anything, playing music, writing a book, learning a skill or a hobby, you have to commit yourself to it. My theory is that if you really, truly want to do it, youll find the time.
