If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking ~ Buddhist Proverb
It takes time and to learn to play an instrument. I strive to organize and present concepts and material in a way that shortens the time required for my students to comprehend and digest necessary information. Regardless of how well I do that, though, no one will learn to play guitar without logging in a lot of practice time – and to produce satisfying results, that practice time must be focused and efficient. Patience may be your greatest asset!
Ways to Use (or misuse) Time
As a guitarist, you need to spend time ingraining skills through repetition. But you also need to practice independent problem-solving. This takes time. A lot of people resist digging for an answer when, in fact, the deepest learning comes from just such effort. If you find yourself saying “I don’t understand” or “I can’t remember” quickly or often, try sitting with the challenge until you’re able to find or remember the answer. This type of struggle is exactly what makes testing valuable. It pushes you farther than you might push yourself. When you train yourself to not only work through challenges, but to relish them, you boost your capacity for learning.
Another consideration of time as regards learning and practice relates to attention. In The Book of Secrets, Deepak Chopra says “The misuse of time is only a symptom for misplaced attention.” This broad wisdom certainly applies to the study of music and the attention required. For example, a lot of guitar players try to progress in the mechanical areas of guitar playing (building calluses, strengthening the fingers or programming muscle memory) while watching television. In doing this they ignore the fundamental function of practice: what you do repeatedly, you will likely continue to do in the same way. In other words, however you practice is how you will perform. If you practice unconsciously, you’ll probably play unconsciously. That leads to confusion and anxiety when you’re in the highly aware state brought on by performing.
Time is also a function of learning in the practice choices you make regarding when to walk away and how to direct our energy when we do. Learning has a natural cycle of activity and rest and by tuning into and responding to that cycle, you can optimize your investments and inherent abilities. If you ignore the rest phase of the cycle, you not only suffer from a creative perspective, but also risk physical injury. Take time away from the guitar to enjoy new experiences, open to fresh ideas and rest your mind and body!
Tenacity
Tenacity will take you far in the study of guitar and in performance goals, as well. If you are tenacious, it means that when you set a goal, you do what it takes to achieve it. Tenacity relates to will, desire and determination.
The emotional energy of tenacity is yang; it is an active energy. In attempting to conquer procrastination or the temptation to jump ship, it’s helpful to summon that kind of energy. Make a plan, stay true to a commitment and employ discipline. Keep a practice log. Set regular goals for performance (even if only for a friend or family member) or record yourself. Get on it!
Patience
Unlike tenacity, patience is the ability to be still and allow time to work its magic. The emotional energy of patience is yin—passive and yielding. It feels like a soft and willing kind of resignation that’s a cousin to surrender.
In order to increase patience, it’s helpful to engage in practices such as breathwork or meditation. Learn to emotionally detach from self-judgment and to cultivate the ability to call up positive feelings about your musical expressions at any given point. Consciously enjoy your playing, regardless of your level, and be fully engaged and satisfied, while continuing to put one foot in front of the other.
If we are facing in the right direction
When applying the Buddhist wisdom to learning guitar, it’s critical to give attention to every word of the sentence. Many determined people walk for months or years in the wrong direction.
I consider my principal job as a teacher to be to constantly monitor and correct the direction that my students are facing. Determining direction is the part of learning guitar that can be the most frustrating for those who are either without a teacher or are taking lessons from a teacher who is bound to a strict and inflexible curriculum. If you recognize yourself in this description, stop suffering and start seeking the guidance that will point you in the direction that you want to go.
Keep on Walking
The word “keep” is critical. It takes time. It takes more time that you probably bargained for. You may put in the time in increments of thirty minutes or you may log in 5 hours a day, but know that it will take time. One day you’ll look up from your playing and ask yourself “How did I get here?” The answer is – you kept on walking!
