A perception exists that performing and practicing music are two different activities. It is true that learning the basics of music is an exercise which is highly important and without this, true performing can not be undertaken to the highest ability. However, the relationship between performing and practicing is deeply intertwined and at a certain level the distinction between the two virtually disappears.

At a certain stage in an individuals musical career, practicing morphs rather than using them as a learning experience will prepare the performer for the performance. It is at this point, that performing becomes a larger learning experience.

There are countless reasons for this. One reason is that the aspect of performing will give the performer a great energy kick that is experienced when performing to a live audience. The performer can feel the energy of the audience, which enables the performer to reach new heights of artistic achievement.

Once the performer has experienced the thrill of performing for a live audience, that thrill then becomes apparent in every practice session which follows and the energy of the live performance. The true aim of developing mechanical and musical ability will become evident and the focus in practice sessions will be changed. It is at this point that performing really becomes the true learning experience and every practice session becomes preparation to concentrate and enhance that experience. This will certainly mark the difference between musician and artist.

The artists will easily find new ways in which to practice and bring live performances closer to the pure pleasure of musical expressions in every way. The performer will bring different and assorted disciplines such as psychology, exercise kinesiology and acoustics along with other artistic disciplines such as theater and dance into the practice session in order to develop new areas of experimentation.

By doing this the artist-musician will achieve greater control of the instrument in which they are playing when it comes to their overall performance. The artist will also find new ideas and ways of practicing. There will be a gradual transformation of the musician in a creative and fulfilling way so that it optimizes the live performances before an audience.

The true transformation from musician to artist is this, and during this combination the artist will surely be able to develop and find personal, unique and creative techniques of expression. As this progresses, the artist will become to realize that there concentration is largely improved along with ease of performance and a greater synchronicity of body, mind and “soul” as professional musicians like to call it.

To some individuals, this may sound complicated. However, music is something which an artist enjoys. Practicing is in effect, playing music, which a musician should always enjoy for his own personal sake. Practicing will transform into a more rewarding and fulfilling experience and one of the most important steps in reaching such heights of artistic achievement will be reached.

There are many different ways in which you can learn to play the guitar. Listed below are some different ways that you can try and see which method works the best for you as an individual.

Group Lessons

It can be less intimidating for a beginning musician to learn the guitar with a group of other people. It provides the benefit of having a teacher present to assist you and judge your progress. The only problem when taking guitar lessons in a group, is that the teacher is divided between a certain amount of people, so you will not receive as much personal attention as if you were to have a one-to-one teacher.

Private Lessons

Choosing the correct private tuition is certainly the best way to learn to play the guitar. The teacher can judge your progress on a weekly basis as well as custom design particular lessons for you. You can feel free to ask any questions, as you have the teachers undivided attention.

CD Lessons

There are a wide variety of CDs available to aid you in learning the guitar. The advantage of this type of learning process is that you can repeat the CD as many times as required. If any part of the CD is not clear then you simply listen to it again. However there are also disadvantages to learning from a CD. These include the songs, which may not be to your liking and there is more general instruction without any sure way of knowing how far you have got to in your musical journey.

DVD Lessons

The entire range of good and bad points are included on DVD instruction. The greatest advantage of learning to play the guitar by watching a DVD, is that you can see exactly what your instructor is doing. Visual learning goes far in answering the questions which may be burning in your mind.

Music Books

Learning to play the guitar with music books is time-honored. Books in different styles can be found. It is essential that you are capable of reading music in order to follow the books and to learn a song that you are not familiar with. It is difficult to achieve the correct song, if it is not known by the individual in the first place.

Internet

The internet is a wonderful way of learning to play the guitar in this modern day and age. There are an abundance of websites that offer instructions on how to play the guitar just as your favorite rock heroes do. There are a vast amount of membership sites available which ask for a small monthly fee whereby you can personally select the style of guitar playing that you desire.

Friends

Guitar playing buddies is something which should not be overlooked. Most guitar pickers are a friendly bunch who will be more than happy to help you along.

Slowing Down Recordings

It is possible to purchase software which slows down your favorite music. This will allow you to listen to each phrase at a speed which suits you.

Playing With Other People

By getting together with other people to learn to play the guitar is a very beneficial way of learning. It is also the fastest way to learn. You will certainly learn more by playing with other people than you ever will playing at home by yourself.

The method in which you decide to learn is a personal decision. Whichever method you choose, it is advised to practice four or five times a week for at least 30 minutes at a time. By doing this you will be playing the guitar before you know it.

Music lessons are a sure way of your child achieving confidence, concentration and math ability. One of the best ways to begin is by playing the piano. However, it can be a little frustrating if your child is not quite ready. Listed below are five questions which should be asked before beginning piano lessons.

1. What age is your child?

Although it is not always down to the age of your child as to whether they are ready for piano lessons, a majority of children are at a suitable age to begin piano lessons between the age of five and seven. There are those children that are ready from as young as three years old, and there are those that should wait until they are eight years old.

Even if your child meets all of the relevant criteria but remain to be young, they can begin piano lessons.

2. How Long Is Your Child’s Attention Span?

It is essential that your child has a good attention span as they will need to have the ability to sit and pay attention for approximately half an hour for the lesson. Aside from this, the child will also need to practice for a minimum of 15 minutes every day.

If your child can patiently sit for approximately 20 minutes and read a book or color, then they are most probably ready to begin piano lessons. However, if your child can not sit still and pay attention to anything for any length of time then it is advised to wait a little longer. Once your child is in the first grade at school, then they will certainly have a long enough attention span for piano lessons.

3. Does Your Child Play One Note at a Time On the Piano?

Children will more often than not simply pound piano keys, when playing for the first time, or they will play many notes at one time. However, as they develop control, it will be possible for them to play one note at a time.

It will be possible for a child to play one note at a time as they develop the art of writing. However, your child can begin piano lessons if they start to play one note at a time on the piano before they have the ability to write.

4. Does Your Child Recognize Letters and Numbers?

It is essential that your child knows the difference between their left and right hand, the number 1 to 5 and the letters A to G before beginning piano lessons.

Your child will learn these skills very quickly once they are attending kindergarten. If your child recognizes these letters and numbers before kindergarten, then you may begin with piano lessons.

5. Does Your Child Have an Interest in Music?

It is possible that your child is ready for a more formal music instruction, if they are constantly playing the piano, banging on pots and pans or dancing to music. Weekly piano lessons need to be undertaken, therefore it is essential that the child is interested enough in music in order to continue with the lessons.

If your child does not show an interest in music, but appears to be ready in every other way, then it may be better to wait until they are a little older before beginning piano lessons.

Therefore, if your child recognizes letters and numbers and is interested in music, can sit for the 30 minute lessons and is playing individual notes on the piano, then your child is ready to proceed with piano lessons regardless of age.

A majority of children are ready for piano lessons during their first grade. However, if you think that your child is not yet ready for the lessons, for whatever reason, then it is recommended to wait a while longer.

What is music? Every sound which exists is comprised of sound waves. The thing which differentiates music from other sound waves, is the way in which the sound waves vibrate and decrease from loud to soft. Dropping a metal pan on the floor will give a jarring and erratic set of vibrations. Whereby striking a note on a piano chord for instance, would present a softer more uniformed and smooth transition from loud to soft. A musical note is of course going to be more pleasant to the ear.

There is an old saying “music sooths the savage beast.” This holds certain truth and is also an understatement. The surface will barely be scratched here as music plays a large part in our lives, however, let us continue to give it an overview.

We all grow up with certain songs or music that ring a bells with our entire being. For example, when I listen to “A Summer Place,” I am immediately carried back to the summer months in the fifties. The experience is so profound that I can remember how the sun felt on my face, the smell of the hot dogs that were cooked over an open fire and the laughter of friends and family.

A theory exists that certain notes or chords ring with a vibration that is particularly harmonious to certain people. Have you ever listened to a song and had “goose bumps?” If the answer to that question is yes, then you give validation to this theory. When you receive such goose bumps from a certain song or piece of music, then that has a profound affect on the subconscious. By adding a little intense emotion to the equation, you are left with a powerful, indelible, blueprint on your subconscious that will remain with you for the rest of your life.

An example would be that you receive news of a death of a loved one at the same time that a specific piece of music was playing on the radio. You would have a lasting impression of that particular piece of music. And for no apparent reason, you may find yourself thrown into a deep state of depression some years later when hearing the same song. The exact same can also be experienced when listening to certain music about a “positive” feeling, for example, a certain song or piece of music on your wedding day or graduation.

It is a proven fact that music plays on your subconscious. In the past you may have found yourself humming a tune, but you could not remember where you had heard it before. You later discover that it was from a new television commercial. This is something that the advertising industry pays a huge amount of money for and they go to great lengths to carry out research as to why and how music works on the subconscious mind. It is also for this reason that large companies go to great lengths to reconstitute classics that were originally performed on stage and screen by some of the greats.

Therefore, when you find yourself humming a particular tune in the future, attempt to remember where and when you first heard it. Also try to remember what circumstances you heard it in. This will most probably help you to understand how past events in your life have been related to music. One thing is for sure, and I am willing to put a wager on it, is that the next time you hear “A Summer Place,” it will remind you of when you read this article.

Happy Listening!

Your guitar will certainly give you more consistent quality sound along with a much longer life span if the correct care and attention is provided. Purchasing some accessories that are essential for the care of your guitar is vital if you are serious about playing the guitar. There is a well known saying that is certainly true, and that is “a guitar player is only as good as the sound and quality of the guitar he is playing”.

A hard shell case is the first item which should be purchased, in order to ensure the safety of your guitar during transportation to and from different locations, where you will be playing your guitar. A soft or cloth “gig bag” is something which many people use for their guitar, these bags zip up and offer protection to the exterior surface of the guitar. The only problem with this type of bag, is that during transportation, the tuning nuts on the end of the guitar neck can move which results in the guitar becoming out of tune, as there is nothing to protect them from being bumped.

Cracks and actual punctures can also happen to the guitar when using a gig bag, if there is any kind of impact when loading and unloading the guitar. Whereas a hard shell case will in actual fact prevent this from occurring as there is sufficient space between the neck and body of the guitar and the case. The case is designed to take impact whilst keeping the guitar secure on the inside and keeping it in tune. A hard shell case is a more expensive than a gig bag, however that little extra investment will provide your guitar with better protection.

A guitar stand is another item which should be purchased for the care of your guitar. The guitar should always be rested on a stand when not being played. Many people choose to lean a guitar against a wall or a couch when not in use, however, this is not suitable. If the guitar is not stored in the correct manner, or not placed on a guitar stand, then the neck of the guitar can become warped, which will make it more difficult to play.

It is necessary to apply more force to the strings when playing the guitar if it is warped, as the neck increases the distance between the strings and the neck. This can result in very sore and blistered fingers, which is absolutely unnecessary. By possessing a guitar stand, the guitar can be kept in the same location when it is not in use and also prevent accidents.

A tuning device is the final item which should be purchased. You will become better at tuning your guitar the longer that you play simply by using your ear. However to begin with, you will need something that informs you of the exact sound and accurate tuning. Many of the tuners are very simple to use. It can be very embarrassing when your guitar is not tuned correctly, especially if you are playing to an audience and singing at the same time.