TIP
OF THE DAY-
When All Else Fails...READ
THE DIRECTIONS!
How good are you at following directions? Your answer tells
a lot about your character. People good at following
directions usually succeed in learning guitar or anything
else new. I have several important points we make over and
over in “Guitar Made Simpler.” They include:
1. Using a metronome and beginning all exercises at 40
beats per minute.
2. Counting aloud everything you play, especially when
learning a new piece.
3. Reviewing everything you learn at least once a week.
4. Read everything carefully and follow directions to the
letter.
Incredible as it seems, many of my students and I suspect,
those of other teachers, overlook these important points.
It really doesn’t matter if you’re making a cake, a model
airplane or learning th guitar, don’t overlook the obvious-
follow the directions!
Some people seem willing to spend large amounts of time and
money learning golf, music, cooking, etc. and yet
stubbornly refuse to do what the book/teacher/guru requests
of them. These people are un-coachable, and they generally
fail at anything new they attempt. Drummer extraordinarire
David Garibaldi of Tower
of Power moved to
Los Angeles years after the band’s hit records and began
studying with a percussion teacher. David said it was
essential that he be obedient, musically speaking, and do
whatever his new teacher asked of him. This was necessary
to improve his playing. Chet Atkins, “Mr. Guitar” to so
many players and fans, began studying classical guitar over
20 years after he began his professional career. David and
Chet were coachable and continued their ability to learn,
even at the top of their game.
Obedience is absolutely necessary in some areas of life,
like driving a car safely to avoid injury or death, eating
when we are hungry, sleeping when we are tired, drinking
water when we are thirsty. Why not apply this principle to
learning something new, like the guiitar? I have plenty of
advice within “Guitar Made Simpler” and it’s one of the
reasons for the book’s success. Most guitar methods contain
notes, notes and more notes, with nary an explanation of
what is to be done. I have detailed instruction in our
method so that folks that don’t study in person with me can
still learn the material successfully. The information is
there, but guitarists still have to read and apply it.
The next time you find yourself in a situation where you’re
trying to learn something new, ask yourself to remain
coachable and above all,
FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!