GUITAR
NECESSARY STEPS TO BEING A BETTER GUITARIST | Chris Rocha
It ’ s very important to continue to get better and evolve as guitar players . We need to be ready for the opportunities that await us so below I ’ ve listed six steps that ’ ll help you take your guitar playing to the next level .
WORK ON YOUR PRACTICE ROUTINE AND STICK TO IT .
Talent doesn ’ t just happen . It ’ s often a process and takes a lot of time to develop . I noticed the most growth I got as a guitar player was when I turned 20 years old . I moved from my hometown ( Robstown , TX ) to Beaumont , TX and took on a position at a church to become a staff member . I didn ’ t know anyone in town except the friend that moved there with me so I would go to the church and just practice . My brother-in-law who was a great lead guitar player taught me exercises and scales when I was young , so I implemented that in my practice time . I would drill that for about two hours a day . Within the first two months I quickly noticed that I got much better . I sounded like a totally different guitar player . I don ’ t have two hours a day anymore to practice but I force myself to carve out time for that . Whether it ’ s at soundcheck or as soon as I show up to the venue and go backstage , I pull out my guitar and just drill exercises or scales . If I don ’ t find the time to do that , I notice the difference in my playing that night .
KNOW WHERE YOUR WEAKNESSES ARE AND MAKE THEM STRONGER .
I taught myself how to play and because of that I developed so many bad habits and bad technique . I strategically started to drill some basic techniques that would allow me to have more speed on my solos . I ’ ve never been a fast player and might not ever be an impressive shredder , but I do want to have the freedom to unleash some hot licks occasionally . I ’ m currently working on my legato licks and other