Learning a new skill can be an exhilarating journey filled with excitement, challenges, and ultimately, growth. No matter what you are learning, there are some fundamental elements that are vital to your success.
Fender coach Scott Goldbaum brings you the five things that he finds necessary when learning any new skill set. It’s a mindset that you can take to apply to your guitar journey, ukulele, or banjo journey, or even to be better at the gym, playing more golf, or meditating more frequently.
1. Consistency
Consistency is absolutely key. The phrase “practice makes perfect” holds true when it comes to skill acquisition. Consistent practice is essential for reinforcing learning, building muscle memory, and internalizing concepts.
Establish a regular practice routine that fits into your schedule and set aside dedicated time for focused practice sessions, minimizing distractions, and immersing yourself in the learning process. Don’t just do five minutes a day on the couch with bad posture. Spend time with your instrument, get to know it. You can do five minutes a day but make it intentional.
2. Patience
Patience goes hand in hand with consistency. Patience is key when learning anything new. Understand that progress may be slow at times, and setbacks are inevitable. Embrace the learning curve with a mindset of persistence.
It’s like when you are tuning your instrument and suddenly something feels like it was an overnight success. But really it was just due to consistent practice over a long period of time with patience intact.
3. Inspiration
One thing Fender coaches like to say is that “finding inspiration away from your instrument will improve your connection to the instrument.” As a musician, it is fun being one with yourself. Listen to the music that you love and let that inform you what it is you want to learn on your instrument.
Stumble upon an artist whose music inspires you to make music or to learn theirs, or even just to spend time with your instrument. Spending time away from your instrument is going to inspire you to go back to your instrument with a lot more excitement and inspiration.
4. Clear Goals and Objectives
When starting out learning to play an instrument, you may not have any more objective than just being able to play some of your favorite songs. And that’s great! But, if you spend some dedicated time thinking about and planning out a few clear goals and objectives, you are more likely to accomplish them.
What do you hope to achieve by acquiring this skill? Are you aiming to become proficient for personal enrichment, career advancement, or perhaps both? Break down your overarching goal into smaller milestones, allowing you to track your progress and celebrate achievements along the way.
For example, if you have a friend’s birthday party coming up and you want to play their favorite song for them. Look at the calendar and set deadlines. If it is 3 months away, break down the song into 3 sections and set timelines and goals for each component of the song.
5. Resources and Feedback
In today's digital age, the wealth of learning resources available is vast and diverse. However, not all resources are reputable. Private coaches, like Fender coaches, can cater to your learning style and skill level. They can help mentor you and guide you along your learning process and provide valuable feedback.
Feedback is a valuable tool for growth and improvement in any skill domain. Be open to receiving constructive criticism from mentors, peers, or even self-assessment. If you want to learn tennis, you are most likely going to get some pointers from either a private coach or a friend who’s been playing for years and can show you proper hitting technique. The same goes for learning an instrument.
Constructive feedback highlights areas for improvement and provides valuable insights into your progress. Embrace feedback with humility and a growth mindset, recognizing it as an opportunity to refine your skills further.
In conclusion, learning a new skill is a rewarding endeavor that requires dedication, perseverance, and a strategic approach. Remember, the journey of skill acquisition is as enriching as the destination, so embrace the process wholeheartedly and enjoy the ride!
Learn More With Fender 1:1
Fender 1:1 coaches are accessible and flexible. They work on your schedule, so they are there for you when and where you need them. You can rewatch your sessions as many times as you need without the added fees other private coaches add on. Fun fact - lessons with Fender coaches typically cost 30% less than a standard in-person coach.
All lessons, sessions, and learning drills are personalized to you. Fender coaches listen to your goals and help you develop a pathway to accomplishment. The Fender 1:1 partnership with Blayze requires all coaches to go through an extensive application process, so you know you are getting the best out there.
Explore more details on our coaching sessions here. Start on your musical journey today for only $29!
