http://homepage.mac.com/lbbeaumont/Lance%20Beaumont/index.htmlguitar news/tipsenlance@lancebeaumont.comCopyright 2005 Lance Beaumont2006-10-05T13:45:16-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:50:13 -0600lance@lancebeaumont.comGuitar Tips2006-10-05T13:45:16-05:00http://homepage.mac.com/lbbeaumont/Lance%20Beaumont/page3/files/b569e4fd8f3dd47b992d58a7d53de626-7.html#unique-entry-id-7http://homepage.mac.com/lbbeaumont/Lance%20Beaumont/page3/files/b569e4fd8f3dd47b992d58a7d53de626-7.html#unique-entry-id-7Just found out that my book, The Capo Chord Book, has been added to Mel Bay's best seller list. I was blown away. This book started out as a crazy idea. The concept came from conversations I had with beginning guitarists who would ask how a capo works (meaning: how to use it in transpositions). Just a little proof that a crazy idea might take you somewhere. Do not be discouraged if no one believes in your idea. It just might pay big dividends one day. ]]>lance@lancebeaumont.comGuitar Tips2006-04-18T16:44:59-05:00http://homepage.mac.com/lbbeaumont/Lance%20Beaumont/page3/files/7ad6f1836adeb2437e597c69e992903c-6.html#unique-entry-id-6http://homepage.mac.com/lbbeaumont/Lance%20Beaumont/page3/files/7ad6f1836adeb2437e597c69e992903c-6.html#unique-entry-id-6One of my favorite authors is Robin Sharma. He is also a fellow blogger and author, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, who has plenty of wisdom to offer a musician. I remember a posting he made on his website that included the words of Steve Martin, the comedian. "Be so good they can't ignore you." What powerful words. If you want to make a splash in the music world be so good at what you do that they, whoever they might be, cannot look away or ignore you.

How do you "be so good" at what you do that you, your playing, your music, cannot be ignored? The short answer; self-leadership. Most musicians spend hours upon hours of their lives in isolation. There is no coach standing over your shoulder screaming and yelling for you to practice 10 more minutes, to push yourself past the point of comfort. As a musician, it is up to you to discipline yourself. Those that lead themselves well are those that are noticed, recognized, rewarded. This path is the one least traveled, but the most rewarding one.

Another suggestion is to live the life of the "great".
Read great books
Life is too short to fill our minds with mediocre literature or empty self-help books. Make sure you read the best literature, the best self-help books, and by all means the best books on music. If your life is music, make sure you know your subject/life. Be inspired by people, no matter their field of expertise. Read a book with a highlighter in hand.
Play great music
Play and practice music that inspires you. You are more apt to exhibit self-leadership in the area of practice if you are inthralled by the music you are studying. If your guitar instructor asks, or forces, you to play something you are not thrilled about, become thrilled about it. Find something in the piece that sets your soul on fire; a phrase, a technique, a form, the era. They are doing this for a reason, a good reason, to make you better. Dive in with no reservations if you are in this stage. You will not be disappointed.
Live a great life
Don't settle for a second-rate life. Do all you can to live the life you dream of. We are given dreams for a reason so do not squander them on useless, senseless living. Most of us never achieve our dreams because we do not lead ourselves well. We allow our circumstances to do the leading for us. A great quote to remember, "If you don't lead your life, your life will lead you." You will be tossed to and fro by the things of the world. So do all you can to be all you can. Remember, life is short.
Leave a great legacy
Let this thought marinate within a while.

Enough said....
]]>lance@lancebeaumont.comGuitar Tips2006-03-08T10:42:36-06:00http://homepage.mac.com/lbbeaumont/Lance%20Beaumont/page3/files/5b8a735ba4eccb5ea013932e6881670e-4.html#unique-entry-id-4http://homepage.mac.com/lbbeaumont/Lance%20Beaumont/page3/files/5b8a735ba4eccb5ea013932e6881670e-4.html#unique-entry-id-4One question that seems to come up over and over again from beginning guitarists is "how long will it take me to play like ____". This question is obviously quite difficult to answer. There are many factors that come into play when learning a musical instrument. "Have you played or studied a musical instrument before? Do your parents play? How much time do you have to devote to learning the guitar?" There is, however, an answer that I give that is extremely broad in its implication; practice.

Consistency in your practice time is critical for developing the skills needed to play the guitar well. Along with consistency in practicing it is also important to practice smart; to have clear objectives/goals each time you pick up the instrument. Below are a few tips that will help you organize your practice time and get great results.

1) Ritualize Your Practice Time:
Your practice time should be a holy moment. It should be something you do consistently, like brushing your teeth. An athlete would not be able to compete well if they only trained once or twice before a big competition. It is just not possible. The same goes for learning a musical instrument; you must be consistent. 30 minutes/day, 6 days a week will pay bigger dividends than practicing once a week for an hour. Make it a part of your day you could not live without.

2) Rise Early:
This is never a popular practice tip, but very effective. Most people have a difficult time squeezing in enough practice time throughout their day. The solution: set your alarm clock 30 minutes to an hour earlier. Rising early will also give you a great boost of energy and make you feel successful throughout your day.

3) Don't Neglect Your Technique:
Technique is the vehicle used for musical expression. If your technique is in bad shape how can you expect to play well? Spend a good portion of your practice time, for beginners I would suggest 50% of your practice time, honing your technique. You will not be disappointed.

4) Have a Written Plan:
Put your practice goals down on paper so you can see what you need, or want, to accomplish in a week, month, year, lifetime. Having your goals in print forces you to evaluate where you currently are in relation to these goals. Sidebar: always evaluate how you are practicing and see if it is in alignment with your goals. If you goal is to make a living playing guitar? If so, are you practicing like it?

5) Don't Confuse Practicing with Playing:
Picking up your guitar and playing a familiar piece or tune is not practicing, it is playing, or jamming. Practicing is designed to accomplish a specific goal: learn the first phrase of a certain piece, solo over the changes of a particular tune, balance and control of the "a" finger, etc. Note that we need to pick up the guitar and just play. Learning a musical instrument should be a fun endeavor, not just all work. When you practice, focus on your practice. When you play, let the fruits of your labor shine forth.

Practicing is a topic that deserves much more attention than can be provided here. Hopefully this will give you some ideas of how to get the most out of your practice time.]]>lance@lancebeaumont.comGuitar Tips2005-07-21T21:38:00-05:00http://homepage.mac.com/lbbeaumont/Lance%20Beaumont/page3/files/ba3443a72217110759e0ece2403e9448-0.html#unique-entry-id-0http://homepage.mac.com/lbbeaumont/Lance%20Beaumont/page3/files/ba3443a72217110759e0ece2403e9448-0.html#unique-entry-id-0Welcome to the guitar tips page at lancebeaumont.com. Here you will find information to help you in your guitar playing. I hope you will check back often as new entries will be added frequently.]]>