How to be a Better Musician (Part 2)
Tip 6. Practice What You Don't Know, Not Those You Already Know
Playing something we have already mastered may sound good and pleasing to
the ear, but we may not progress fro there if we do not practice stuff which
are new to us. I remember there was a guitar student in Penang who has learnt
the Yngwie-style sweep picking, he was very excited and play it everyday until
one day he almost forgot the major & minor pentatnonic scales. He can
play sweep-picking very well, full stop! When I have time to practice, I always
try to play some stuff which I have never play before, exploring some exotic
scales and some weird sounding solos, or at least brush up stuff which I have
played but not well-polished yet.
Tip 7. Learn As Many Melodies As You Can
As it says above, learn as many melodies as you can, no matter you like or
not. Not only does learning melodies to tunes increase your repertoire (the
number of songs which you can perform well), subconsciously, it also gives
you an incredibly distinct edge in developing your phrasing . At the end of
the day, you should be able to duplicate any melody you hear. I have some
students who never wanted to try out playing stuff which they listened. So,
I have to spoon-feed every single solo they want to play. But, a very simple
question: "How long they want to learn the guitar, eternally? Because
once they wish to play a new song, they will come back to me. My advice to
all aspiring guitarist is: practice learning melodies in these ways:
-Listen to how an artist (singer / or solo instrument) interpret melodies and try to mimic their phrasing on the guitar.
-Try to play back any melody you hear, be it a kiddy's song, Ke Ren Lai, Rasa Sayang, or even a TV commercial that catches your attention.
-Always learn a melody on more than one place on the guitar neck, You want to play the melody, not ahve the melody playing you!
Tip 8. Learn To Love The Theory of Music
I believe many guitarist outside there likes to play a lot... without the
knowledge of music theory. They play what they feel is best and copy sweet
phrases from solos. But the knowledge of theory will help you build your own
style, create own identity, thus opening more styles and different feels in
your playing. It really doesn't hurt to know some of the basics, I always
make my students learn at least to the minimum of Grade 3 (Royal School standard)
music of theory. Knowing a little basic theory will help you with your songwriting
and your ability to intuitively come up with rhythm parts. Once you master
the music theory, you should be able to work around any chord progression
on any key. And once you understand it, you shouldn't think about it and just
play.
Tip 9. Play With Feel
No one likes to play with a band member who has a bad time. Many people struggle
on timing, but when they can play accurately, then the feel must come in.
"Feel" means the ability to lock in with the rhythm section and
produce an overall track that grooves, that make the listener feels good.
Tip 10. Don't Backstab Your Members
Some people really like to gossip a lot, and to a worse extend, some can complain
about their own band members to outsiders. If your band, or you have a problem
with your band, speak out and discuss on the best solution. DO NOT complain
things you dislike, example: your band member 's attitude, style or any related
issue. This will only bring down your band's reputation and the band soon
lose its respect from others. I had an experience of problem within my own
band, there was one member who always doesn't show up during practice and
we (my band) eventually had a meeting and released him from the band. We solved
the situation peacefully.