weak areas such as finger picking and sweep picking . Hopefully I ’ ll get to those soon but it ’ s always good to evaluate yourself and know what you need to improve on . Make a plan and know how you ’ re going to get better .
DIAL IN YOUR TONE TO MATCH THE MUSIC YOU ’ RE PLAYING .
Back in the day when I was younger a great compliment you wanted to get was “ great playing ”. Now it ’ s changed to “ great tone ”. A guitar player ’ s tone is his signature sound and can open so many doors for his future . It ’ s also important to know what exact tone you need for the music you ’ re playing . Sometimes it might take changing your guitar or effects . Your tone is one of your greatest assets in the music industry .
PRODUCE GUITAR PARTS INSTEAD OF JUST IMPROVING WHEN YOU PLAY .
After so many years of producing music and recording guitar tracks , I ’ ve developed an ear for creating guitar parts . I ’ ve come to realize that writing something on the spot that will raise the level of the song is golden . I ’ ve been to concerts where I hear the guitar player play things that add nothing to the song or get caught in their own guitar world just to veer off and play things that they think are fun and don ’ t see the full picture . If this is you , then next time you ’ re in rehearsal make sure you hear the lead vocal and pay attention to the dynamics of the song . Make sure your melodies don ’ t clash with the vocal but add to it .
KNOW WHEN NOT TO OVERPLAY .
Sometimes knowing the balance of just how busy you can play takes time . It ’ s a byproduct of maturity and being seasoned . I ’ ve noticed that some people get there faster than others though . I guarantee that once you figure that out , you ’ ll get more and more opportunities . Legit music directors and music producers are constantly around so much talent . They won ’ t pick you cause you ’ re talented , they ’ ll pick you cause you find ways to add value to their productions .
CONTINUE TO WORK ON YOUR CHARACTER .
In most cases concerts last anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours but if you ’ re traveling , you ’ ll spend three to four days sometimes with the band just for one concert . Just last week I was stuck in an airport for two whole days in Colombia cause our flights got canceled . I was sleep deprived , extremely cranky and had commitments to get back to . I made it a point not to make a big stink about it to the band because it wasn ’ t their fault . Your character will stand out more than your ability . Never underestimate your character . If you ’ re liked and respected , you ’ ll greatly increase your chances to get called back . Always keep in mind that God can do amazing things with great character .
Chris Rocha Chris Rocha is an American Christian producer , guitarist , business owner and pioneer in the Spanish Christian music industry . He is a two time Dove Award winner , has worked on two Grammy award winning records and has produced or recorded guitars on 5 Grammy nominated albums .