Have a clear reason why you're doing this
Do you have a clear goal/vision that fires you up? That could be to play around the campfire, get grade 5, busk, or even become a rockstar.
If you don't know why you're doing this you'll give up sooner or later as guitar is HARD, it's also incredibly fun, but you have to get through months of frustration before you taste that, and that requires a strong why.
Here's my vision from 2004 when I started out, it still fires me up now as I write this.
If you don't know why you're doing this you'll give up sooner or later as guitar is HARD, it's also incredibly fun, but you have to get through months of frustration before you taste that, and that requires a strong why.
Here's my vision from 2004 when I started out, it still fires me up now as I write this.
Prioritise and invest
Guitars aren't cheap, but they're not even half the price you paid for your daughters violin bow. You must be willing to buy a functional guitar and ensure it stays in good condition, or it will sound bad, hurt your hands, drain your motivation, or destroy your child's dream of being a rockstar forever.
£50 can get you a good second hand guitar... IF it's been approved by a trusted guitar specialist (not your uncle Barry please), I use Treblerock Clifton, Intersound Dursley, or A Remus Sound Gloucester.
£50 can get you a good second hand guitar... IF it's been approved by a trusted guitar specialist (not your uncle Barry please), I use Treblerock Clifton, Intersound Dursley, or A Remus Sound Gloucester.
Practice
To achieve anything on guitar you must practice often. Minimum 5 days a week. For a beginner 10 minutes every day is better than 2 hours at the weekend, that's just pointless. If it's your dogs birthday and you're going out for dinner, get up 10-20 minutes earlier and practice in the morning. I want solutions not excuses, remember your why?
Don't let your dreams slide away.
Don't let your dreams slide away.
Be organised
Keep your music together in a folder like this, put the current projects at the front and things you still play further back, ditch anything you no longer use.
Write down instructions and solutions to problems clearly, also use your camera to film me demonstrating or explaining troubled sections, then store videos in a folder well labelled and easy to find during practice, make a backup of that folder. This way you improve faster and your money goes further.
Be sure to download any backing tracks and store them in the folder too.
Read all the small print (exam books, Ts & Cs, ect)
Live in different houses? Get 2 guitars. Make it easy for yourself to practice, otherwise you just won't.
Be on time
Be on time, don't be too early though, I won't promise to be ready before your agreed time, I could be teaching a student or eating lunch, that's my time.
If I'm ready early thats fine, but please don't expect or demand it.
Thanks for understanding.
If I'm ready early thats fine, but please don't expect or demand it.
Thanks for understanding.
Pay on time
90% of the time the people who pay fast, take guitar seriously, turn up on time, practice, laugh at my jokes, and are a joy to deal with. I also like being able to pay my bills, It's a win win for everyone.
When I first started I had a client build up £140 worth of debt, I then saw them buying Champagne in Waitrose...
Trust is everything, nobody gets discounts, mates rates, or special treatment here.
When I first started I had a client build up £140 worth of debt, I then saw them buying Champagne in Waitrose...
Trust is everything, nobody gets discounts, mates rates, or special treatment here.
Set goals, be ambitious
If you want to speed it up, set a goal that moves you towards your vision, even better a goal with a deadline and some healthy pressure.
Getting on stage or taking an exam is really powerful, as it removes the option not to improve.
If you play open mics with me you'll learn how the business works, if you're successful there I'll let you join me in my headline gigs, if venues like you they might give you your own headline gig, assuming you can perform 2 X 45 minutes of material, if not that's something we could work on over time.
Get ambitious.
Getting on stage or taking an exam is really powerful, as it removes the option not to improve.
If you play open mics with me you'll learn how the business works, if you're successful there I'll let you join me in my headline gigs, if venues like you they might give you your own headline gig, assuming you can perform 2 X 45 minutes of material, if not that's something we could work on over time.
Get ambitious.
Be respectful
I'm human like anyone else, I have bad days and make mistakes, be cool and don't get silly about it.