Too many people learn guitar - or any instrument for that matter - locked away in their bedroom or garage. While they might become great players in their own right, they're missing out. Here are some good reasons to stop hiding, and get out there!
You'll learn more
It doesn't matter how much you practise, how many solos you listen to, how many books you read, or how many Online Guitar Tutorials you follow, you're guaranteed to learn more by meeting and playing with other musicians. Every guitar player will have learned a few tricks, and have their own favourite riffs. Some of them will be easier than you think, if you can see someone playing them in front of you. Most musicians are more than happy to show them to you too - it's a way of showing off what they know, and we all like to do that, whether we admit it or not.
Also, no matter how much of a beginner you are, you're bound to meet someone else who doesn't know your favourite tricks, and if you can teach something to another player, it feels good!
You'll be better prepared
Some people get really good at playing by themselves (I said by themselves - stop making up your own jokes...), but never play in front of anyone. They get "stage fright" just playing with a few other musicians. This can be a real problem if you want to start playing gigs one day.
As soon as you can play something, play it in front of people. Friends, family, and other musicians too. If you're really shy, start with the dog!
I know from personal experience that this can be a real problem, so the sooner you tackle it, the better. If you need so many drinks to calm your nerves that you can hold the guitar, it ain't gonna work! Learn to be a show-off. Of course, if you're already a show-off, with a big ego, who enjoys the attention more than the music - well, maybe you should become the lead singer...
You won't be wasting your time
Don't forget that music is meant not just to be played, but to be heard. Who gives a monkeys if you're the best player on the planet, if nobody ever sees you play? When you tell people you play guitar, they don't generally ask for a recording of your best solos. They usually say "Cool, are you in a band? Are you playing any gigs?". Of course, if you're a solo singer-songwriter, you don't need a band, but you still need an audience.
You'll have fun
You're probably not a trappist monk, so you don't need to sit in a room in silence. You're probably not studying for a masters degree in music theory, so you don't need to treat your guitar like a text book. Meet a few like-minded people, have a laugh, swap a few jokes, tell a few stories. You might never get as far as live gigs, but shooting the breeze with a few other musicians and a few beers beats a night out in a bar any day. It will broaden your horizons in many different ways, even if you're only playing as a hobby. You never know, that bass player you meet might end up getting you a great job one day.
In summary, the best thing you can do for your guitar playing, almost from day one, is to join a band, and start playing some gigs. You'll get the buzz, make some friends, be ready for anything, and the experience will raise your musicianship higher than anything you can do alone.
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| Zander Boon is a part-time music teacher, part-time writer, and full time music nut!
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| Please visit Zander's Guitar Lessons page
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