How to Be a Good Musician
Learn music theory., Improve your rhythm., Play with other people., Learn more than one instrument., Perform., Be expressive.
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Learn music theory.
Music theory can change the way you write/play music.
It opens up your mind to all the different possibilities and options you have.
Music theory is also universal, most musicians should know it.
It will make things easier to explain.
For example telling someone to play a C major chord is easier than telling them where to put each finger. -
Step 2: Improve your rhythm.
Keeping time is very important whether your playing with other people, or playing by yourself.
Having bad rhythm will make the piece of music sound bad even if you are playing the right notes.
You don't have to be metronomic, but as long as you can keep a tempo without speeding up or slowing down that's OK. , Playing with other people will force you to stay on time.
It will also give you experience and make you more confident in your abilities.
And above all playing with other people is a lot more fun then playing by yourself.
Joining a band will also be very beneficial. , This will help broaden your horizons.
If a guitar player was to start playing bass guitar, the guitarist would then start to realize the role of bass guitar.
So the next time the guitarist has to write a bassline, the guitarist will have a better understanding of how to write a more effective one. , Performing requires you to know the music that you are playing inside out in the event that something goes wrong.
Most performances require you to memorize your pieces.
Having a good memory will benefit you because you always know what to play.
It will also allow you to have more confidence in your talents and music. , It's one thing to learn the notes and rhythm, but it's another to express the music.
This is probably the hardest thing to do, because expression is different for everyone.
Try picking a slow song; they tend to have a lot of hidden meaning within the notes.
After you get used to slow songs, try faster ones; they're a little harder because you need good speed, timing, and accurate articulation.
But remember, too much expression will make you sound a little corny. -
Step 3: Play with other people.
-
Step 4: Learn more than one instrument.
-
Step 5: Perform.
-
Step 6: Be expressive.
Detailed Guide
Music theory can change the way you write/play music.
It opens up your mind to all the different possibilities and options you have.
Music theory is also universal, most musicians should know it.
It will make things easier to explain.
For example telling someone to play a C major chord is easier than telling them where to put each finger.
Keeping time is very important whether your playing with other people, or playing by yourself.
Having bad rhythm will make the piece of music sound bad even if you are playing the right notes.
You don't have to be metronomic, but as long as you can keep a tempo without speeding up or slowing down that's OK. , Playing with other people will force you to stay on time.
It will also give you experience and make you more confident in your abilities.
And above all playing with other people is a lot more fun then playing by yourself.
Joining a band will also be very beneficial. , This will help broaden your horizons.
If a guitar player was to start playing bass guitar, the guitarist would then start to realize the role of bass guitar.
So the next time the guitarist has to write a bassline, the guitarist will have a better understanding of how to write a more effective one. , Performing requires you to know the music that you are playing inside out in the event that something goes wrong.
Most performances require you to memorize your pieces.
Having a good memory will benefit you because you always know what to play.
It will also allow you to have more confidence in your talents and music. , It's one thing to learn the notes and rhythm, but it's another to express the music.
This is probably the hardest thing to do, because expression is different for everyone.
Try picking a slow song; they tend to have a lot of hidden meaning within the notes.
After you get used to slow songs, try faster ones; they're a little harder because you need good speed, timing, and accurate articulation.
But remember, too much expression will make you sound a little corny.
About the Author
Janet Foster
Creates helpful guides on organization to inspire and educate readers.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: