If you are learning to play the guitar, or you are a seasoned player, then you will understand how integral to you becoming a better player the practice actually is. The realization of the importance of guitar practice comes to every student as they begin to play.
We are busier than ever these days, and guitar practice often gets shunted off to one side In favor of other pursuits. Kids too, find it difficult to fit in practice time around school and their other extra-curricular activities. Fitting practice schedules into everyday routines can be an increasingly difficult task
In order to improve as a player, you need to make guitar practice a priority. This might sound a little over-simplified, but it really is the bottom line. A lot of people argue that making it a priority is an impossible task because of the amount of chores that need to be completed in our busy and hectic lifestyles.
Consider playing the guitar against all of the other things that you feel are ‘priorities’ in your life, and ask yourself how important it is to you that you practice in order to become a better player. The first step to prioritizing your guitar practice is to ask yourself how important it is to you. Just by completing this relatively simple step you may find that there are things on your list of ‘priorities’ that don’t mean as much to you as your guitar practice, and yet you sacrifice the playing of a wonderful instrument in order to do them.
When we prioritize something in our lives, the level of commitment that we are able to give to it often depends on the goals that we associate with it. The priority of this in your lifestyle becomes even more pronounced. For example, you may think that it is one of your priorities to get a bigger house. In your mind’s eye, you will have a specific goal in mind – a bigger living space – and therefore you are more driven to achieve that goal.
Playing the guitar is no different. Consider the level you are currently playing at, and then think of the standard that you would ideally like to be able to play. When you have a specific goal in mind, then it becomes a lot easier to lever your guitar practice into your everyday schedule. To define it even further, think of the feeling you get when you achieve a goal that you set yourself – keep this in mind when you set yourself your goals for playing the guitar.
The bottom line is, quite simply, that when you practice regularly, the standard of your playing will rise massively. Bearing in mind the goals that you have, ask yourself once more how much of a priority in your life this really is.
Playing the guitar playing properly to a decent standard requires a high level of determination and commitment, and the guitar really is one of the most difficult instruments to learn to play well. When you practice, it should be seen as a necessity – like school or work. All of the best guitarists in the world made practice their number one priority.
It really is a great challenge – but it is also supposed to be enjoyable. If you look upon your guitar practice as recreation instead of a chore, you’ll find it’s much easier to allocate appropriate time to it. One of the most important aspects of learning to play the guitar is that is has to be fun!
Copyright (c) Liam Gibson (Stage Guitarist)
