Don't you love street musicians? They just ooze that vibe that we should all tap into as guitarist. However, to be comfortable and confident playing on a sidewalk isn't as easy as it looks. This is especially true if you are a bedroom player just breaking out into the public arena. Playing in a strange environment affects not only the confidence of a player but it can also affect their actual memory. In this article I will take a look at this obstacle and show the only way it can be confronted.
If you are one who only practices in their bedroom try this experiment. Take your guitar out onto your back porch and play a simple number. Pick one you know very well. Listen to how different the guitar sounds. Somehow it even feels different, and you may even find that the song you know so well is hard to remember.
That's because it is harder to remember. You see the human mind attaches memories to anything and everything. It then uses association to pull them out later. Isn't it true that a favorite song can bring back a memory from years ago right down to the smell in the air? Well, when you lock yourself away to practice, your mind is anchoring all those guitar moves to your practice room. Eventually your whole guitar experience is tied to that room. That's why music teachers always hear; " I play it great at home." How do you break that spell? Simple. Get out of that room.
You could start by just going to a different room. But I prefer to completely mix things up by moving outside to the back patio. The change in acoustics, sights, and distractions is a multiple attack on the rut your mind has created and forces it to attach them where they belong -- your guitar. Once you have established that you can play on the porch, I would suggest moving to a quite corner of a public park. This move quietly announces to yourself and the world that you are a musician. (Strangely many beginning/intermediate guitarists have issues with this. But that will have to wait for another article.)
Once you start moving out into the world and playing, your whole experience of the guitar will change. You will meet new people. They will share guitar experiences with you, and you will share yours with them. Playing in a casual public setting adds a new perspective to your whole concept of being a musician. I remember the first time I took my guitar to the park and played in the afternoon sun. Breaking the prison of the practice room was a turning point for me and I'm sure it can be for you too.
Are you frustrated with your progress with the guitar? You can join the elite few who call themselves guitarist/musicians?
Visit Lester's Blog , http://lesterpickman.blogspot.com , and discover all the tips, tools, and just plain good advice that will take you all the way to the pinnacle of Musicianship.
Lester Pickaman's Frontporch Guitar http://lesterpickman.blogspot.com
