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Guitarists! Do the Opposite to Learn More!

Mar 15, 2025

Hello life-long guitarists,

Today, we're diving into a powerful concept that can drastically accelerate your progress: doing the opposite of what you naturally do in your. As always, you have the video podcast as well as the text breakdown. 

Guitarists! Think Opposites To Get Better

 

Think about it: we all have our comfort zones. Some of us love diving deep into music theory, dissecting scales and chords like intricate puzzles. Others thrive on instinct, picking up their guitars and letting their fingers flow, intuitively learning songs and improvising.

To illustrate this, let's create two fictional guitarists:

  • The Theorist: This player loves analyzing music theory, spending hours understanding modes, chord progressions, and the "why" behind every musical choice. They're drawn to the intellectual side of music.
  • The Intuitive Player: This guitarist learns by ear, picking up songs quickly and improvising freely. They follow their musical instincts, letting their emotions guide their playing.

Now, here's the key: to maximize your growth, step outside your comfort zone.

For the Theorist:

  • If you spend all your time in music theory land, you might forget the joy of simply playing.
  • Schedule time to learn songs, improvise, and just noodle. This will connect your theoretical knowledge to actual music-making.
  • Remember, music theory is about music! You need to apply it to truly understand it.

For the Intuitive Player:

  • While your natural ability is fantastic, adding a touch of theory can unlock new dimensions in your playing.
  • Take a few minutes occasionally to analyze what you're playing. What scales are you using? What chords are you implying?
  • Understanding the "why" behind your playing will expand your vocabulary and creativity.
  • For example, if you notice you keep using a specific note, research what that note is, and what scale it belongs to.

My Personal Example:

As someone who leans heavily towards theory, I've learned that I must force myself to play songs and improvise. Otherwise, I'd spend all my time in theoretical exploration, neglecting the actual act of making music.

The Takeaway:

Whether you're a theory whiz or an intuitive player, challenging yourself to explore the opposite side of the musical coin will lead to significant growth. By combining both approaches, you'll gain a deeper understanding of music and become a more well-rounded guitarist. And if you need help with either approach, you know how to find me over at Andrefludd.com for the best guitar program or your money back. 

Get out there and experiment! You might be surprised at what you discover.

Keep playing,

Andre

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