This is not a rant, though the beginning may seem like it…
Nothing is easy. In fact, mastery of anything requires work. Hard work. But most people don’t want to do it. They want to take shortcuts. They want to reach stardom instantly.
Why do you think shows like American Idol and The Four and <insert country>’s Got Talent are so popular? They’re mostly comprised of people who want to take the shortest path to stardom. Sure, there have been some exceptions where people have become super-successful entertainers, but for the most part, the actual “success” stories are very few.
Unfortunately, most people are more focused on the trappings of success rather than the process. They see their stars like Tay-tay living in huge mansions and wearing the latest garb and attending the glitz and glamor galas and they think, “Hey! I want that!”
But as Eric Rachmany from Rebelution said in “Lay My Claim” you’ve got to do the work.
Nah, never made sense to me why come crave the limelight
It makes me wonder how I’m supposed to be
Could it be wrong to kick back and just write?
Now let the truth be told, went in my zone
Learned from the finest techniques
Now let the truth be sold to you, eyes on the goal
But you’re moving too quick, don’t speak, don’t speak, just listen
You put in work and just wait
And let it all unfold, straight from the soul
Now I stick to my goal always
Damn right, gotta lay my claim
Watch the whole world change
And let it all unfold, straight from the soul
Gotta stick to my goal always
Nah, never made sense to me why some choose the limelight
Imagine if they put in the time to seek
To find a talent and then watch it take flight
Well let the truth be told, go to your zone
Learn from the finest techniques
Now let the truth be sold to you, come to your own
But you’re moving too quick, don’t speak, don’t speak, just listen
You have to develop your talent and skill. Even the late Kurt Cobain who was considered in some circles a great guitarist wasn’t very good when Nirvana first hit popularity. But his “handlers” made the band practice – a lot.
For new guitarists, there’s only one way to reach those rarified heights: Practice. Want to play like SRV, Vai, Satriani, Johnson, Mayer et al? You have to put in the time. I’m nowhere near as good as any of those players, but I’ve developed my own style over the years. I practice/play at least a half-hour or more EVERY DAY. I’m still learning even after almost 50 years of playing guitar!
Nothing happens overnight.
Nothing is easy.
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