We all want to become a great guitar player, but what does it really take? Well first and foremost, you want to become the best guitar player YOU can be. You have to focus on your own path, and not somebody else’s. While that might sound obvious, for many it isn’t.

A lot of guitar players have the tendency to compare themselves with other musicians and follow their journey instead of their own. The fact is, we are all destined to become different kind of guitar players. Your mind, taste, anatomy, emotions and daily life are all unique. These things determine how you play, what you play, and the musical path you will follow. You will only succeed if you do that.

Second, you’ve got to stop making excuses! Stop telling yourself or anybody else why you can’t do it, why don’t have the time, why you’re not fast enough or why you’ll never be a badass. You are unique, and if you cut all that shit, you can become the best guitar player you can be. And that is pretty darn good!

Now, here is the guideline that will take you on this amazing trip, no matter what kind of guitar breed you are. Here are the keys that will improve your playing to the max and make sure you become one hell of a guitar player.

Follow the keys and you’ll be on your way!
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Setting goals and writing them down in a notebook is a fun activity that gives your guitar life a meaningful direction. It’s one of my favorite hobbies.

For me that’s the easy part. The second part is a little trickier: Accomplishing those goals.

I can’t say I’ve been lousy at accomplishing my guitar goals, but in the past there were always some goals that I somehow couldn’t get off the ground.

Maybe one reason is that I had too many goals (blame it on my enthusiasm). Well, we all have excuses.

I eventually tackled this hurdle by creating accountability. When you feel accountable you are assured of achieving your goals. The steps you have to take become a priority!

For me, playing in a band is the perfect way to learn and become skilled at a new style of music (pop, rock, blues, folk, metal, jazz). I really get on top of it. I make sure I do everything in my power to be ready for the next band rehearsal. I respect the people I’m playing with and I don’t want to let them down.

Another example is that I often create a challenge for my guitar students to study a song or solo within a couple of weeks and then have them perform it in front of their co-students. It works.

Accountability gives you the boost you need to get things done!

Here are the keys to accomplish your guitar goals:Continue Reading

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What more can you wish for when you’ve achieved most of the goals you had in the past?

I’m pretty grateful for my life right now and all the things I’ve experienced and accomplished.

I’ve played in a lot of different bands, done hundreds of gigs, played music for a living, met a beautiful girl, got married, traveled to beautiful countries, started teaching guitar for a living from my home studio, started a blog, got three kids and made some really good friends along the way. Of course, that’s the short version.

While I’m really happy with accomplishing a lot of the goals I had, goals can also change once you get older. Life changes, circumstances change, you change and so it’s not that strange your goals change along with you.

Lately I read something in a book that really struck me.
Let’s fast forward a couple of years. Suppose you are somewhere around 85 years old, you are lying on your death bed and look back on your life. Are there still things you wish you had done in your life or regret you didn’t have? Think about it for a moment.

Now let’s rewind again.Continue Reading