guitarhabits

photo by Marco Raaphorst
The room where you spent most of your time is of great importance to your playing.

I have noticed that when I put my electric guitar in the living room I tend to play more solos, riffs and licks.

When I put my acoustic guitar in the room I will play more fingerpicking style, blues licks or try to figure out nice chord changes.

Writing songs is something I am also more likely to do on an acoustic guitar.

Our busy “need to get things done” society has such a major impact on our lives, there might be times where your guitar doesn’t see the light of day. When your guitar is not right in front of you in those busy times, it is possible that it doesn’t occur to you to play at all.

A great way to change this awful situation is to design the room you play in. Your room must breath music, inspire you and make you want to pick up that guitar every time you are there.

Here are 5 keys to make this thing work:

1 – Declutter
Make sure you get rid of everything you don’t need or haven’t used in a period of time.
Clutter will distract you from focusing on your guitar playing. A nice clean and practical space will benefit your practice and writing sessions.

2 – Visibility
Make sure you guitar is in the room. Every time you walk in or out the room it needs to be visible.
“Out of sight is out of mind” If you can’t see the guitar it won’t remind you to play on it.

You always need to be reminded of your passion, because there are so many things that will distract you from it. There are always things that need to be done like admin tasks, errands, household chores, etc. They will keep you from playing as long as your guitar is out of sight. “Visibility” is the magic word here.

3 – Temptations
Make it difficult for yourself to not pick up that guitar. Put your favorite music sheets on a nice music stand somewhere in the room where it looks attractive and where you will be drawn to it.

Put a CD with a favorite song you want to learn on the music stand as well.

Put a picture of your favorite guitar player, singer songwriter or anything that will inspire you on your computer’s desktop.

Find a nice sweet spot for your guitar amp and effect pedals. Make sure they are ready to be rocked anytime you are in the mood.

4 – Reminders
Schedule your practice sessions. Write them on your wall calender, computer calender and calender of your mobile phone.

Write down reminders, favorite songs, licks or riffs you want to learn, favorite quotes that will inspire and motivate you to pick up that guitar.

5 – Details
If you have a bookshelf or bookcase in your room put your guitar books at eye level so they will be noticed.

Put guitar or music DVDs and CDs in sight. Not in a messy way but in a nice and practical way.

Make sure capo, bottleneck, picks, strings, tuner are easy accessible.

Put one or two guitar magazines on the table.

“Nothing pleases me more than to go into a room and come out with a piece of music. “ – Paul McCartney

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Thanks a lot!
Klaus Tol