Want to Elevate Your Guitar Playing? 6 Essential Tips to Check Out
It’s true what they say: a musician is never done learning. No matter how long you’ve been playing the guitar, there is always room for improvement. It is a fun yet challenging instrument that offers a lot of area for growth and exploration. That being said, if you’ve recently hit a plateau in your guitar playing, you’re probably feeling a little frustrated.
If this sounds like you, don’t worry! Our Music House team is here to help! Below, we’re going to share some of the best ways you can elevate your guitar playing as well as give you insight on how to get started with guitar lessons in Overland Park, Lenexa, or Prairie Village.
#1.) Don’t Be Afraid of Music Theory
Music theory is at the foundation of everything you play, from classic pieces all the way to the contemporary songs you hear on the radio today. However, music theory is often not prioritized in the way that it should be. If you’ve never taken formal music lessons or had the opportunity to study music in a structured setting, you may have missed out on this as a fundamental skill.
The good news is that it’s never too late to take a deep dive into music theory. When playing your favorite songs, stop and ask yourself a few questions. For example, what guitar chords and progressions are there? Have any of the techniques been inspired by other instruments? Does adding a guitar pedal change the sound in some way? Looking into music theory is a great way to combine the scientific and the creative.
#2.) Slow Things Down
If there is one thing that can trip up your playing, it’s going too fast. While learning a new piece or technique can be fun and exciting, if you don’t take the time to really explore the various elements of what you’re playing, you are doing yourself a disservice. Odds are good that you will end up practicing the piece incorrectly and even inadvertently end up using poor habits.All of this can steamroll into the long term, leaving you with a plateau.
To avoid this, try slowing yourself down. Pay close attention to how you’re moving each finger, your hands, and your posture. Take the time to really focus on every note and riff and their roles in the song as a whole. Practice your breathing while you’re playing too, especially if you like to sing at the same time.
#3.) Explore New Genres
Perhaps one of the most fun suggestions that we can make is to encourage you to explore various genres of music. Getting outside of your comfort zone and dipping into new music can be both exciting and a way to expand your musical horizons. After all, you never know where you will find inspiration!
Start by exploring music that feels opposite to what you normally play. For example, if you like to play country songs on your acoustic guitar, look into songs that have a more electric feel, such as those from hard rock artists. You might find yourself surprised at what you enjoy. Music tastes can change and evolve with exposure and exploration.
#4.) Implement Ear Training
When you sign up for guitar lessons in Overland Park, Lenexa, or Prairie Village, one of the first things that your teacher will likely encourage you to do is practice ear training. Technology can be a powerful tool when it comes to music, but there is nothing wrong with unplugging and relying on your own ear. Yes, a tuner can help, but you should also be able to tune your own guitar just by listening to the sounds it makes. In addition to this, you can also learn more about how long notes are, tempos of songs, and other elements that make a piece so unique.
#5.) Play With a Group
There is a lot of personal growth and development that comes with playing solo. After all, our Music House team encourages our students to practice at minimum for twenty minutes each day. It is during this time that you are able to learn a lot about yourself as a musician. However, playing with a group is also extremely important.
One of our main goals as a music school is to reiterate the importance of collaboration between musicians. Whether you both play guitar or two different instruments entirely, the music that you make together really matters. Not only is it more fun to play with others, but you also have a lot that you can teach each other. Plus, being a part of a band or ensemble means that you will have ample opportunities to try out different, more complex pieces of music and even perform in front of others. That is why our Band Workshop Program is such a cornerstone of what we do here at Music House.
#6.) Take Guitar Lessons
Last but certainly not least on our list is the emphasis on taking private lessons. Being able to sit down and work one on one with a talented and caring instructor will do wonders for your development as a musician. They will help you to identify any gaps in your playing as well as create a plan to help you move forward. Feeling stuck can be frustrating, but knowing that your instructor has your back can help provide the motivation and inspiration you need to keep going.
Enroll in Music House Today!
Starting private music lessons doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. In fact, we endeavor to create a welcoming environment for all of our students! At Music House, we offer guitar lessons in Overland Park, Lenexa, and Prairie Village for both adults and school-aged children. To learn more about our music school or to get more information regarding private lessons, be sure to contact us today. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have and assist you in becoming the best musician you can be.
