- Jul 25, 2023
"The person who is having the most fun is the person doing the activity for the first time. Not the seasoned professional"
Exploring something new brings with it many exciting things. Sure you can have fictional expectations of how something might go. But in reality you have no idea. The level of self criticism and external feelings of judgment are at their lowest at the beginning. At this point you are basically a child. Well, not in the physical sense, but mentally you have no comparisons to make to previous efforts. Everything is new!
A student asked me this week about scales that he had seen in a video. This student is killing it, I might add, they have been taking lessons for about 3-4 months and are super into classic rock. They are having so much fun playing 'Guns and Roses' and 'Pink Floyd' solos! Very accurately and rhythmically. Their determination to practice and get better is admirable.
"Do you need to know them all? How am I going to remember all these scales it's not possible!"
We have done some ground work on basic important scales. Granted we have not gone super in depth, but we have scratched the surface. This particular student can improvise confidently and sound quite decent while doing so.
This particular lesson they expressed their discomfort at the fact that online, mainly from instructors on 'YouTube', they had been seeing videos on all these other topics that we haven't covered yet. Other scales, modes and systems to identify chord tones. People often forget, it is in the best interest of the content creator to leave you wanting more. To come back and seek more 'easy' tips and 'tricks' to transform your playing, etc. Don't get me wrong I watch a lot of YouTube and have my favourite YouTube guitarists. 'Eric Haugen' and 'Mike Adams' being my first two recommendations.
This student was just looking for 'more', their enthusiasm was hungry and they had turned to YouTube to scratch the itch. This is not inherently bad. However, it can be sad to see a young student doubt themselves and worry whether they are 'good enough'. Meanwhile, they are playing so well and in a manner they were seeking to play like from the get go.
I wont go into how I responded in that specific situation. However, I thought I'd put forward some ideas that I considered. They may help combat that nagging anxiety that comes about when searching for 'more' when you are in that mood to learn everything.
1. Creativity does not require knowledge. It just gives you more options. You can paint a good painting in black and white. You can also do the same with an array of colours.
2. Ask yourself why you got into the activity you are doing. What drew you in? What was it that looked fun to do?
3. Give yourself some praise for choosing to practice that activity.
4. Don't compare your achievements to others!
Learning one more piece of information, whether it be a scale or picking technique, isn't going to scratch the itch. In a similar way, buying a new piece of gear will only satisfy you for a short time before you want another thing. I know this is getting philosophical, but hear me out.
You already are a guitar player! You are already doing the thing!
When I started playing all I wanted to do was play covers of my favourite early 2000's pop punk bands. Every song I learnt back then would fill me with accomplishment and a feeling of joy. To this day, whenever the voice in my head starts doubting me or compares my playing to 'X' amazing guitarist. It may say things like, "you need to know more chord extensions", or, "If only you could play faster you would sound better". I just go back and play something by Blink-182. Reminding myself why I picked up the guitar in the first place. Nothing puts a smile back on my face faster.
Wanting to learn 'more' isn't bad. The difference to me lies in 'why' you are learning something. If it is something you want to learn and have sought out yourself, fantastic. If it is something you think you are 'supposed' to know, maybe check in and see why it is you are watching or reading it. Taking that moment can really help direct you back on track. That itch for 'more' is not curable I'm afraid, but we can learn to resit it's temptation.
In my experience, it is better to try and distance yourself from the over consumption of advice and ideas. It's just distracting you. Watch the occasional video or take some lessons for motivation. At the end of the day, all you need to do to get the 'more' you are looking for, is to pick up the guitar and play!
The pursuit of fun is tough. Our society works on a foundation of improvement over all else. But sometimes the biggest improvement is learning to be happy with where you are at, both skill wise and enjoyment wise. After all why did we start the activity in the first place. Trying to learn 100% of the time will just end up burning you out.
Remember how far you have come and remind yourself of what it felt like the first time you tried the activity. What would past you think of the current you. Which one of you is having more fun!
- Nick.
Simply Sound Lessons.
Sydney, North Shore, Mosman, Cremorne, Crowsnest, Manly, Neutral Bay, North Sydney
www.simplysoundlessons.com
0426200579
