100 THINGS EVERY GUITARIST SHOULD KNOW
“If you’re serious about becoming better, you practice at least one hour every day, without fail. Not 58 minutes a day or six hours during the weekend.”
TOM MORELLO
TALENT. KNOWLEDGE. WISDOM. Everybody possesses these attributes in varying degrees, but let’s face it — who couldn’t use a little more? But is one good without the other? Think about it: You might be a preternaturally gifted guitar player. You pick up the instrument and gorgeous licks simply fly from your fingers. But what if you don’t know the theory behind what you’re playing? Would a little knowledge improve your musicianship?
Quite possibly.
We can turn that around, of course. What if you’re not blessed with natural ability, but you’re willing to put in the time to learn, to gain knowledge? Through careful study and diligent practice, could you then break through technical barriers and achieve a greater degree of competency on the guitar? In other words, can the pursuit of knowledge result in talent?
Again, quite possibly.
Lastly, what if you’ve dedicated yourself to the pursuit of excellence on the guitar — you’ve studied theory and have put in your 10,000 hours (this is the conclusion drawn by Herbert Simon and William Chase in which anybody who devotes 416.67 days can achieve expertise at anything) — but you lack the ability to make wise choices? Could a little wisdom further your chances at success?
We would say so.
While the list of “things every guitarist should know” could certainly fill a book, we’ve attempted, in the list below, to offer you a solid CliffsNotes version, one that runs the gamut from super-technical and geeky (“Learn the Indian pentatonic”) to obvious stuff that isn’t always so obvious (“Don’t be a dick”). And we’ve incorporated choice bits of tips and suggestions from some of your favorite guitarists, none of whom would have graduated from their bedrooms to arena stages had they not figured out a thing or two.
So dive in and digest. Whatever your playing level might be, there are nuggets of gold for you to scoop up. But while you’re absorbing this list, remember the sage words of Michelangelo: “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”
1 PRACTICE SLOWLY
Everybody knows this, so it’s a mystery why so few do it. Sure, practicing slowly can be a drag — you want what you want when you want it — but unless you’re brilliant and lucky, immediate results aren’t reality. Practicing slowly ensures consistency and accuracy. There’s time to burn. You’ll see.
2 GET YOUR GUITAR SET UP PROPERLY
“Properly” being the key adverb. A good set-up ensures a guitar’s tone and playability. There are many factors to consider here — string gauge, truss rod, nut, pickup height, neck tilt, bridge saddles — all of which you can screw up unless you know what you’re doing. Which you probably don’t, so have a pro do it for you.
3 YOUR STRING GAUGE IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT
How thick or thin your strings are can say a lot about you: Do you like to dig in hard, or do you prefer a light touch? Are you strictly rhythm, or are you a vibrato-drenched soloist? And, as it turns out, string gauge has a lot to do with your sound — thick strings are louder and have more sustain. Don’t be afraid to play around with different gauges; you might find that some songs in your set sound better with looser, thinner strings, and some songs sound better with thick, tight strings.
4 YOU’RE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO START
If you’re a parent and your young child expresses an interest in playing the guitar, the best thing you can do is let him or her have a go at it. Pick up an inexpensive (but playable) guitar, and let your child explore. Don’t be pushy — too much pressure can overwhelm a child and kill enthusiasm. Learning (and playing) the guitar should be fun. When your child indicates a willingness to stick with it, it’s time to consider formal lessons.
5 YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD TO START
All that crap about “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is just that. If you’re in your 50s, 60s or 70s and you’ve long wanted to play guitar, there’s absolutely no reason you can’t go for it. Indeed, a retiree might be freed of typical adult responsibilities (raising kids, work, etc.), opening up big blocks of time for a hobby. And playing the guitar is a great panacea for the kind of boredom many seniors face. What’s more, playing guitar keeps your mind and fingers active, so get going. Use it or lose it!
‘Oh, you want me to play more notes instead of fewer? No problem!’ Sometimes more is… more.”
6 NOBODY WANTS YOUR GIRLFRIEND OR BOYFRIEND IN THE BAND
There are a few examples in which the addition of somebody’s girlfriend or boyfriend — or husband or wife — has improved the overall quality of the band. But most times a meddlesome partner with limited musical the band”). Unless you’re certain that your partner is a star player or writer, keep musical and personal relationships separate.
