The Mad Stratter has put out his 2008 resolutions for his guitar playing and his Web site. I haven’t thought too much about next year yet, but I thought I’d follow the Mad Stratter’s lead and post some goals I’d like to achieve during 2008 (although they aren’t quite as ambitious as learning to play all of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Texas Flood).
Guitar:
- Become a better lead guitar player – I’ve never been a very good lead player, and I’d like to change this next year
- Play more regularly – Some weeks I play all the time; other weeks, it seems like I barely play at all. Ultimately, I’d like to carve out time each day to play, but I’d settle for just playing more consistently
- Play with other musicians – I haven’t played with other musicians in quite a while
- Refresh my knowledge of music theory – I spent quite a bit of time in college learning music theory, but haven’t focused on it in a long time
- See more live music and support my local music community – I don’t get out to see live music nearly as often as I’d like. I’d like to change this next year
I have a lot of ideas for this Web site next year. Here are a few of them:
- Post more consistently – Like my guitar playing, some weeks I post every day, while other weeks I don’t post at all
- Do more to help other guitar players – Like IG, I’d like to do more on this site to help other guitar players
- Add some new features – I have some specific ideas, but we’ll see what pans out
So, what are your guitar/Web site resolutions for 2008?
My guitar resolutions for 2008 are to:
1. Get more effects pedals
2. Become a faster player
3. Book gigs with my band
4. Support the local music scene
5. Work on my rhythm guitar playing
Good stuff, Chris. There are a couple of effects pedals that I’d like to get, too. Namely, an octave pedal.
Becoming a faster player is good, but don’t let speed get in the way of taste!
Good luck on your goals, and thanks for stopping by.
Josh
Hey Josh!
Thanks for the motivation…This year should be a good one. I plan to learn a few more chord groups and scales. My writing is getting all too similar.
Thanks, and good luck with your goals, too!
Kyle
Hi Kyle, thanks for stopping by! Good luck on learning new chords and scales. It’s awfully easy to settle in on familiar chord shapes and sounds. Keep us updated on how you’re doing!
Josh
# Play with other musicians – I haven’t played with other musicians in quite a while
# Refresh my knowledge of music theory – I spent quite a bit of time in college learning music theory, but haven’t focused on it in a long time
I feel ya on those two…
I’m still in college, but I forgot all of my theory the semester after I finished all of my theory courses.
As far as playing with other musicians, I feel like my best creativity comes from vibin’ out with some other guys (or lately, gals, such as my new keyboard player). There’s something to be said for songwriting in seclusion, but just groovin’ along with a couple other people is a whole other animal.
My resolution is to work less an play more. Of cousre I need to post more often too!
I hadn’t given this any thought really, but I’m glad you brought it up. Nice ideas. What I’ve really been dying to get back to is recording and writing music. I haven’t written a real song in 4 years!!! Crap, has it been that long… yeah. And I really miss pulling out the recoding gear and getting something down I can play in the car and share with friends. So now that you’ve put a bug in my head my goal is to write one song every 3 months, and tab and record each one! That would fulfill me. 🙂
Michael – easylearn2playguitar.com
Thanks for the comments!
@Mad Stratter – It’s hard to beat the feeling that comes with playing with other musicians. Like you said, you should also put in the practice time alone, but playing with other musicians certainly exercises some different musical muscles.
@sixslinger – “work less, play more” I can dig that!
@Michael Jae – Recording is something that I’d like to do more often, too. Let us know when you complete a song. I’d love to hear it.