Make Stuff Up!
Practice routines are important, but everybody needs a break sometimes! One of the best ways to break your routine and have some fun doing it is to make stuff up on your guitar. There’s no need to worry about taking the time away from your normal practice, either, because you’ll be doing things that help you grow as a guitarist. Uninhibited exploration will deepen your connection to the fretboard, and it just might reset your relationship with your guitar—and yourself!
Before You Start
If you’ve been playing for a while, you’re ready to go. If you’re a complete beginner, though, you’ll need a few basic skills to get the most from your sessions.
If you don’t already have some proficiency with the pick, get that first. You’ll also want to be able to keep a steady rhythm, and the best way to do that is to use a metronome. Put these two skills together and practice playing a succession of single notes, alternating down/up strokes with the pick. When you can do these three things, you’re on your way!
Structure
The biggest barrier to improvisation is the belief that it must occur out of thin air. But the best creations are built on existing creations. In addition, they will be built within a given structure or framework. If you wanted to paint your feelings or perceptions, you would start with a canvas and a variety of colors and brushes. It’s the same with music. To create something musical, start with a chord progression or a rhythmic pattern and create sounds that work within those structures.
Improvising with Rhythm
Turn on the metronome, choose a time signature, and start drumming! Tap or knock on the body of your guitar. Playing single notes, experiment with note values and with staccato, legato, and periods of silence. Choose one or two chords to play, and invent rhythms that come from your left hand. Make a statement!
Making Melodies
You don’t need to adhere to a tonal center or follow any rules of harmony when you make stuff up—it’s just play! That said, you’re also free to create music that sounds melodic to you and the best way to do that is within a scale.
You only need one scale to start making stuff up, but if you know a number of scales, choose one that fits your mood. Then, turn on the metronome or a backing track and begin to randomly manipulate the scale pattern until you’re able to start making choices. Add in rhythmic variations, dynamics, and any techniques you like, such as slides, bends, or legato.
The better you know the scale pattern, the more liberated you will be in your improvisation. But don’t postpone using that scale pattern for too long—you’ll get to know it more deeply by improvising with it. Take a deep breath, throw away any expectations or judgments, and have a good time!
Check out the Limitless Guitar Virtual Studio to find the concepts, skills, techniques, and backing tracks you need to support your learning and creativity. Start your free trial today!
