You Can Do That!
Is there something you would love to play on your guitar that is totally out of reach? Could you consider that it may actually be possible for you to learn it?
When I ask my students what they would most love to play, they often answer with the name of a favorite song, paired with the assurance that they’re not good enough to even consider playing it. Sometimes it’s true that they’re a long way from being able to play it. But more often than not they have what they need to dive into it!
Know Your Basics
If you know little or nothing on the guitar, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to jump into playing something complicated. But that doesn’t mean you won’t ever be able to play it. With some perseverance, you can get plenty of important skills in a reasonable amount of time. And if you’ve played a while, you might already have the skills you need.
As a baseline, set yourself up for success with any song by being proficient in Level I skills. You can find the instruction you need for those in the Virtual Studio. Once you’ve acquired them, you’ll need to determine which ones you need for the song you want to play and whether you need to learn more skills from other levels.
Assessment and Analysis
When I listen to a song, I can quickly assess whether a student is ready to take it on. But if you’re working alone and you perceive a wall between where you are and what you want to do, there are things you can do to break down that wall.
First, identify the parts of the song. When you do this, you remove a lot of the mystery. Listen closely to individual components and get really clear on which are the most intimidating or challenging. Do they require right hand skills or left hand? Is speed an issue? Or do you lack an understanding of what to play?
The biggest roadblock for most people is not knowing exactly what to do on the fretboard. After all, if you can find the notes and chords but can’t play them smoothly or quickly, you just need to employ intelligent practice until you get it. But when you’re totally lost as to where to put your fingers, it feels like a dead end.
Then What?
If you’re working from an audio file or a YouTube video, you can often discover where your fingers need to go by slowing the playback speed and working with one very small segment at a time. (The tips in this article will help.) Don’t give up easily, you just might get it! And if you don’t get it on that special song, keep trying on other songs you love. Every effort you make toward your goal gets you closer to the day you reach it.
Remember, as much as I support your working independently, I’m also happy to give you one-on-one help any time. Choose from Single Song Support or one or more lessons or coaching sessions. Or (something new!), book a free 15-minute phone consultation and I will help you create a personal plan to accelerate your progress. You can do it!
