Ignite your guitar playing in 2012

Christmas now seems a distant memory and as we move from January into February it is now time to kick start your guitar playing in 2012, through setting some goals and formulating a plan for the coming year.  

Start with the end firmly in sight

 To start with, think about where you would like to go with playing the guitar. For some this could be just playing at a reasonable level where you can pick up the guitar at a party and impress friends. Or maybe to have the courage to play in a band or an open mike night, whatever it is the most important step is to know where you are going. If you do not know where you are going you will simply wander, never really achieving what you want to achieve and ultimately get frustrated and probably end up giving up all together.

Start with the end firmly in sight

To start with, think about where you would like to go with playing the guitar. For some this could be just playing at a reasonable level where you can pick up the guitar at a party and impress friends. Or maybe to have the courage to play in a band or an open mike night, whatever it is the most important step is to know where you are going. If you do not know where you are going you will simply wander, never really achieving what you want to achieve and ultimately get frustrated and probably end up giving up all together.

How will you know when you’ve made it?

The end goal needs to be clear and specific; if it is too broad you will not know when you have reached it. For instance, if your goal is to play an open mike night do a search on Google and find a suitable venue that hosts open mike nights. Next, set a date for your performance but be realistic, do not set it so soon that you will not be prepared but equally not too far in the future that you will grow tired of it. Next, write it in your calendar and invite some friends.

Get a plan

The next step is to break the main goal into milestones. Milestones are smaller goals which ultimately lead the way to completing the main goal. Below are milestones for completing the goal of performing at an open mike night:

• Pick a song to play
• Get the sheet music for the song
• Learn the chords
• Practise the chord changes and build up speed
• Incorporate a rhythm
• Practise until you can confidently play the song
• Play along with the audio recording of your chosen song
• Record yourself and critique your performance  
• Find the lyrics to the song
• Find a vocalist (if you’re not singing)
• Give them the music
• Set up a rehearsal
• (If you are singing) Practise singing while playing, simplify the song as needed e.g. simplify the strum pattern.
• Practise until you have memorized the lyrics
• Record yourself and critique your performance

Can it be done?

Check over your list of milestones and make sure they are realistic. Milestones should be challenging but make sure they are achievable, make them too difficult and you will simply lose motivation. The secret is to set the milestones within reach so after completing them you will gradually start increasing your confidence, resulting in motivating you to achieve the next milestone.  

When will it be done?

Set a time frame for your milestones but again, make sure it’s realistic. Once you have set your milestones write them in a calendar, such as Google calendar and set reminders which will make sure you keep on track and be on your way to achieving them.

Reward yourself  

This is the fun bit, plan a reward for achieving your goal. It is important to have the carrot on the end of the stick as it we help you push through when you are feeling de-motivated.

Now you know what to do it’s time to set a goal. Please share in the comments below and feel free to let me know if you need any help along the way. Good Luck!