The number one way to increase the amount of practice time on your instrument that you can do right now!

I’ll bet you cannot guess what it is. It is so simple as to be ridiculous. Keep your instrument out of the case and available at all times. I keep my guitars on stands and I find that every time I have a stray thought or musical question I can easily reach over and pick up my instrument and use it, if only for a few minutes. If the guitar is in the case, in the closet and I have to go and get it,  I will be less inclined to do so.

How Keeping Your Guitar in the Case
can actually Help your Practice

Conversely, if I want to concentrate on only electric guitar or only classical; I will put all guitars away except for the one I want to focus on. Last week I put away my classical and electric and I have focused on only the acoustic steel string by default.

So do whatever you can, place your instrument on a stand, hanging on a wall or any way you can keep it close at hand. You will play more I guarantee it!

I want to make an unabashed plea to those who do not read music to do so and I will illustrate why it can be such a joy.

My genre of music is mostly folkish/country/blues but I have studied classical and I know how to read music. The other day I heard on the radio Chopin Ballade #1 in g minor for piano and I loved it. I wrote it down on a notepad in the car and later I purchased not only a cd, but the written music for it.

This is significant in many ways. It helps to really have a visual reference for what is taking place in the music as well as it enhances my appreciation for the techniques and themes that are within the music. As you listen without the music you can feel what is happening but you can not really understand it in a deeper way without the music, unless you are a very accomplished musician.

Understanding and being able to pick out certain sections also help in other ways. I intend to study some of the passages for guitar, since that is my main instrument; not necessarily to perform it, but to use it for ideas and inspiration. Any time you are in a rut in creativity it is a great way to break out of the slump, as it were. Study another style or instrument if only briefly and you will find it is fun and stimulating.

Acapella refers to the art of unaccompanied singing. It began in the church with Gregorian chant and has progressed over the centuries through many stages. In 20th century America it has been known through barbershop, doo wop and various choral ensembles. Barbershop is known for its four part harmonies and doo wop for inventive harmony parts which may imitate other instruments as well. Doo wop also gave rise to the Persuasions, a group that personified vocal music in the 1960’s.

African acapella
In Africa singers commonly imitate animals and even thunderstorms with clapping hands and finger clicks. The melodies in African acapella are particularly rich and satisfying.

Modern artists such as Bobby McFerrin have taken acapella to a unique art form in his imitative explorations. The unaccompanied voice is still very much alive in the church also as well after hundreds of years.

Where to find acapella?

You may begin singing acapella with a school choir or small group of your own. I would recommend the college or community choir especially if it is a madrigal group or other unaccompanied group. A madrigal is an acapella style from the 16th and 17th century, very common to find in college courses. It is can be very complex and fun to sing. Even if it is not something you are really attracted to it is a good way to begin to sing acapella in a group environment.

There may be barbershop or doo wop or even African style acapella groups in the area that you live. You can form a group of your own if you have the desire and can find others that share that same desire.
There are also groups that support the acapella form such as the Barbershop Harmony Society and Chorus America.

Sharpen your ear

Acapella sharpens your ear more than your vocal abilitlies. You absolutely have to listen to the other voices and respond because there is no musical reference for your tone center. If you can’t find it, you are stuck. If you go flat it will show, no doubt.
Acapella can be one of the most satisfying experiences in music as it is the purest form of music, the human voice in all of its forms.

Rock Concert

So you have an act together. Whether it is a band or a solo performance, you’re ready to try and make it big. The only problem is where do you begin? Most people go into the music business or the entertainment business in general with no idea what is in store for them. A little education is in order if this describes you at this point in your career. You want to have a cd in order for people to be able to hear your music, that is obvious, but there are many more things to think about.

Get Exposure

While it is true you need a cd, you also need to be out there playing and singing. You cannot be found if you are not performing. Play as much as possible and do not worry about how much money you are making right now, only worry about the quality of your music and your stage presence and all of the other aspects of the business. There are so many stories of people that were “found” playing at some out of the way dive it is obvious you must play to be heard. Play at cafes, festivals, friend’s houses, and anytime someone asks you.

Consider Traveling

It is very worthwhile to travel to various cities to not only get a better perspective on the business but to meet other musicians and play in other places. The most obvious places are big cities, particularly L.A., Nashville, Austin, and almost any large city. Also you may consider overseas. Many people I know are playing consistently overseas and cannot get very many gigs here. Go figure. Certain places in the world are hungry for certain types of music. Define your niche and seek out the places that are hungry for it. Go there and see. You will not regret it.

Make a Demo

It should go without saying now that you must have a demonstration cd, a “demo” of your music to give to people and to sell at your gigs. Ask people where to record. Many people have home recording studios and would love to help you. It is very affordable theses days to have recording equipment and the quality is excellent. Learn as much as you can about recording. You do not have to be a technical geek , but the more you know about microphone technique, how to overlay tracks and so forth , the more you can utilize recording time efficiently. Record companies appreciate that, believe me!

Remember when you make a demo that most record execs only listen to the first 30 seconds before they have already decided if they like your music or not. I know it sounds cut throat, but it is! If you can begin to listen to your own music in this way, you will make a better, cleaner, more powerful song or demo that puts your best foot forward in the shortest amount of time. Good luck!

When you learn music you will change your world. Music is a universal language and present in all cultures. Nothing is better than a song well sung or a piece well played for the human soul. The satisfaction for the performer and the audience alike can be equally profound.

Where to Start to Learn Music?

To learn music and play a musical instrument is a rewarding challenge for anyone, child or adult. Most beginning music students learn piano first. There are good reasons for this instrument to be the first one you learn. In order to learn music as a new student the piano is well suited as it is very visual.

By that I mean that all of the keys are in front of you to be seen and touched, unlike a saxophone or a flute or even the human voice. Also, the structure of music is more easily understood as it helps to be able to see the chords and their inversions right in front of you. This also allows you to better learn to read music .

A guitar by contrast has many different places on the fretboard to play a C chord and there is no immediate way to visualize the position until you make a chord chart. The human voice can only be explained or interpreted and requires extra effort to visualize.

Learn Guitar

The guitar is an obvious second choice and has the advantage of being almost universally available. Every body has a guitar, classical or electric, or knows someone who has one. A guitar is never far away. These days learning guitar is easier than ever, due to online learning.

There are many other instruments of course such as brass instruments or percussion and many people decide to follow their musical passion with these instruments. The clarinet is a favorite, is light and compact and has a wonderful tone.

Learn to Sing

Others enjoy the universal musical instrument and the oldest with the human voice. What a joy it is to sing! From the youngest to the oldest, we all have a song in our heart.

As you go on your musical journey you will face challenges learning to perform and obstacles to that end such as stage fright. We will help you deal with that and rest assured, it can be dealt with. It takes time and effort, but doesn’t everything, even your instrument? Of course, but it will be well worth it.

We will explore other avenues for musical creation with songwriting, recording and marching band. We will lead you in the right direction towards learning resources designed to help you learn music faster and with more enjoyment.