Here are two more interesting emails I have got lately. I hope you find the emails and my thoughts useful…
Email #1…
“There is no substitute for daily practice! Phenomenal musicians are nothing more than “normal” people who have logged the countless hours it takes to master an instrument.
Trumpet master Louis Armstrong once said,
“If I don’t practice for a day, I know it. If I don’t practice for two days, the critics know it. And if I don’t practice for three days, the public knows it.”
Gordon
Wise words from Gordon and a great quote from Louis.
All the greats of music worked hard to get there.
I’ve never heard about a great or even decent guitarist or musician who didn’t put in lots of time, effort, and energy to get good at guitar.
Yet, it’s so easy to forget that the masters of music struggled at various points in their journey.
We only often see the finished article, but how good would it be to be a fly on the wall, to go back in time, and watch your heroes struggle when they were learning?
It would be a real eye-opener, for sure.
Just remember, if guitar playing is ever a struggle, it’s probably not the lack of effort that’s the problem.
Sometimes you need to tweak things or try something new.
Then when you get a good system and routine that works for you, it’s all about keeping the momentum going.
And doing what Louis said – making sure you don’t stop!
Email #2
“Hi Dan,
I am thinking about buying a new guitar. You have said a number of times that you should go to a guitar store and try ten different guitars. I thought, yeah, I’m sure this is a good idea, but didn’t think it would make a big difference. Well, the other day, I tried my son-in-law’s guitar (which he spent a ton of money on – he’s a good guitarist) and I was amazed that a guitar could be so much different!! It was better in that it “fit” me (the body was narrower) and it was so much easier to play! So, when I start seriously looking for a guitar, I will definitely follow your advice!!
Thanks for all the emails and encouragement! It means a lot!”
Denise
I say it a lot, the guitar you play makes such a difference.
Yes, a good workman doesn’t blame his tools as the old phrase goes…
…But a bad guitarist can blame his or her 6-string!
…Especially if it’s holding back their progress.
Of course, you could give an amazing guitar to someone who is not committed, and they’d get nowhere…
But give a bad guitar to a highly dedicated student and it’s a recipe for disaster.
If you’ve only ever played one or two guitars, it’s not easy to know for sure if your guitar is holding you back.
You don’t have to go and buy a new one – just try a few out.
It’s a real eye-opener.
Get the right guitar…
Practise it regularly, as Gordon and Louis stated above, and then add in the third ingredient, and you have the recipe for success.
The third ingredient, you might ask…
Why it’s good fundamental technique of course – that is the key to making it all sparkle.
To discover 19 mostly unknown secrets of guitar technique, check out my Essential Guitar Technique book.
It’s the first book in my bundle, and the lessons inside are the ones that will help take you to the wonderful world of guitar playing (to quote Mr Armstrong).
So, if you’re ready, you can give it a try below…
Guitar Domination Super eBook Bundle
Have a fun day!
Dan Thorpe
Guitar Domination
P.S. This post was originally taken from Dan Thorpe’s private email list. To get blog posts like this sent to you which are full of great tips to make fingerpicking, strumming, and learning guitar more enjoyable (especially if you are over 40) join Dan’s list. It’s 100% free, HERE.
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