WE’RE nearing the end of summer and most likely, music or art lessons are wrapping up. Whether it’s learning the guitar, drums or painting, here are some practical tips to make sure the fire doesn’t die out.
Have the instrument/material ready at hand. For the sake of example, let’s say you’re one of the newest drummers in town. Sure, you can play a song or two—stuff that you learned for a month just for a five-minute presentation during your music school’s culminating event. Can you imagine going home, and setting down and keeping that drum set back in its box? It would be such a hassle and almost immediately, you’d rather lie in bed playing Mobile Legends. Make sure that guitar is beside you always. Make sure those paintbrushes and watercolor sets are on your desk at all times.
Partner up with somebody. When these summer lessons come into play, it would be best to tackle a new hobby with a best friend or a sibling. In that case, both can be accountability partners, inspiring the other to practice his or her craft even more. I remember the old times, way before the internet was the way of life, a friend and I would talk over the landline phone about how to play certain guitar riffs. Now that the lessons are over, find that buddy you can be comfortable messing around with. That’s why most young bands who aren’t that good seem to have the grandest time. It’s fun and beautiful.
Use the internet to your advantage. Yes, as previously mentioned, today’s learners can skip the landline phone and just Skype or Facetime whatever it is that you want to show off or explain. Also, there’s YouTube to help one with just about any question he wants to ask. You don’t only listen to a lecture, you can see someone break it down one by one. And if you’re lucky, the videos are going to be well edited with major graphic work—which is pretty cool.
Ask a pro. Yes, the internet is cool and all, but nothing beats having a mentor who’s more than willing to take you under his or her wing. It could be that teacher you had over the summer, or it could be someone you know, a family friend perhaps. Whatever the case, it helps to have someone who has been on the same road before to give you some good advice on what or what not to do.
Keep playing!