Learn Guitar: Top 7 Ways To Stay Motivated And Play Like a Pro

After forty-one years of guitar playing you start to notice things, one of the most significant things I have observed is a number of familiar patterns or cycles newbie (and not so newbie) guitar players go through when trying to learn the guitar; one of the most common patterns is the loss of motivation eventually resulting in one of two scenarios: (1) the player gives up altogether or
(2) the would-be guitarist keeps a guitar (usually gathering dust) laying around the home... just in case they get the urge... they never do!

The player cycle goes something like this, the reason for taking up the instrument may vary but the result is almost always the same. The player gets a guitar for Christmas or birthday messes around with the guitar for a while (usually 2 to 3 weeks) then loses interest and moves on to a new adventure; occasionally the would-be guitar player pick up the guitar, strums a few out of tune chords only to confirm yet again that guitar playing is not for them.

A variation of this theme is the guitar player who has been trying to learn how to play for years without any noticeable improvement, this type of player is big on new year resolutions but throws in the towel by the end of February, I'm not criticising just merely pointing out the facts... there's one particular player I know who has told me for five consecutive years "this is going to be the year he gets it all together".

So how do you overcome the dreaded "loss of motivation" syndrome and avoid being one of the guitar playing causalities?

Here's my top 7 ways to stay motivated and play like a professional guitarist

1. Maintain a positive practice experience: There's nothing worst than a bad practice session, it's the fastest way to lose your enthusiasm and motivation, diagnose what went wrong: was it the practice material, the equipment or practice environment, whatever the problem is change it immediately, too many bad practice experiences are fatal!

2. Rekindle your passion: Listen to the players who inspired you to take up the instrument in the first place and remember the only way they achieved their ability on their instrument is through PRACTICE, if you are as dedicated and practice as much as they did you will be able to achieve your dreams.

3. New strings: Put some new strings on your guitar they will feel better under your fingers and your guitar will sound a whole lot better.

4. Play with other guitar players: You can't beat playing and sharing ideas with other guitar players, that's what music is all about; caring and sharing with other humans. Computers are cool tools but they can never replace human interaction!

5. An instrument to die for: There's nothing more motivational than having an instrument you just absolutely love to look at, it just dares you to play it... save up and get an instrument you just can't stop playing, that does not mean the most expensive, just the most desirable!

6. Set goals: Most people give up very easy (not just guitar playing); to overcome this set goals and to achieve your goals remember you need two things (1) clarity of vision - write your goals down; (2) force of intent - guts!

7. Take lessons: Take weekly lessons from an inspiring teacher, just being around an inspiring guitarist will do wonders for your playing, remember the role of the teacher is to help guide you and help you overcome your mental and physical obstacles, they cannot do the practice for you, the best teacher in the world cannot help you if you are not committed.