10 Ways to Combat Musical Boredom

USTYNPHSDUTU I’ve always said that the key to success in music is hard work and determination, but these things aren’t always so hard to achieve (or when you find them, they are difficult to hold on to). So I’ve compiled this list of things that should help you to stay focused on your goals and become the musician you deserve to be!

To stay truly focused on our aim, we need to combat boredom- but first, what is boredom?

Boredom is an emotional state experienced during periods lacking activity or when individuals are uninterested in the opportunities surrounding them. The first record of the word boredom is in the novel Bleak House by Charles Dickens, written in 1852, in which it appears six times, although the expression to be a bore had been used in the sense of “to be tiresome or dull” since 1768.[Source]

So on that note, here are ten tips that should help you stay “interested in the opportunities surrounding you” (because, if you really look, there are many opportunities in life)- in relation to guitar playing anyway!

1) Variety

Variety is the spice of life- or so they say (who are they anyway?! “They” always seem to have alot to say…). Always leave yourself open to new ideas, as you never know where inspiration might hit you!

On a similar note (no pun intended), it can be a good idea to keep a recording device with you when you practice- not just for new ideas and awesome licks you may come up with, but it’s a great way to listen back and analyse your technique. Something that sounds great when you’re playing it might not sound so awesome when you listen back, or even vice versa.

2) Short Bursts

This idea links back to my Three Point Practice Plan, where I discuss the importance of splitting your practice sessions up in order to make the most of them. Nobody can be at full concentration for over an hour on the same thing, so I recommend you practice each thing in short bursts (no more than maybe half hour to and hour on each thing you want to practice). This should help keep things interesting and so you should be able to focus better.

3) If Uninterested, Move On

This is an extention of the “Short Bursts” idea, above. Basically, as soon as you lose interest in something, don’t ever force yourself to focus- because it will never work! There must be a part of the brain (I know there’s a part of mine) that just says “OK, that’s enough!”, and no matter how hard you try arguing with it, you just wont be able to take in more information. This is the time to move on, and find something else, something different to do that’s interesting.

4) Set Aside Time to Learn

Again from my Three Point Practice Plan, it really helps you to learn if you actively set aside a part of your practice routine to learning entirely new stuff. The more new ideas that you are open to (see the first tip, above), the more new things there are to discover on the guitar. Trust me, there is always something new out there (I’m always finding out new and weird things myself!).

You’ll also be surprised at how much you can actually learn this way!

5) Improvise

Always set aside practice time to just “messing about”. It’s not really practice time, more “playing time”, and it will help you see the guitar as fun again (after all that hardcore practicing). This is essential- even if you don’t think you’re getting bored. Remember playing guitar, or music, is a creative activity and it should never be allowed to become just a set of exercises, or theory.

6) Jam Tracks

As many different styles as you can find, in as many different keys. Jamming is one of the best ways of staying interested in music. It allows you to explore new ideas of your own, absorb influences from others, and even just enjoy the basics

7) Join a Band

As I’ve mentioned, jamming is a great way to expand your musical horizons, and joining a band is one step better than sticking on a CD full of jam tracks. Playing with real musicians is like having a “musical conversation”, you can all exchange ideas and influences, and also gain confidence in your own ability (sometimes it’s all about confidence).

Hopefully, eventually you’ll also start playing gigs and showing the world what a “talented” musician you are

Always Seek New Music Out

This ties directly to the first point about finding new influences, and the same rules apply. If you can develop a good musical ear then all the better! When you can lift licks and phrases directly from your favourite songs into your own playing (and, of course, really make them your own), then you’re on your way to stardom for sure . Anyway, if you don’t think you’re quite ready for that stage yet, listen anyway- who knows what you’ll pick up without even noticing?!

9) Set Long and Short Term Goals

Always have a plan, always have targets. Targets not only keep you motivated to improve, but they also create that sense of accomplishment when you achieve them. The short-term goals include what you would like to achieve this week, or by tomorrow, and the long-term goals can be anything up to wanting to be the next Jimi Hendrix…

10) Learn Another Instrument

Obviously this is for those of you that are already pretty competent on guitar- I wouldn’t suggest it otherwise. Learning a new instrument can give you a new perspective on music (as well as keeping your interest up and possibly providing new influences). See my article on why bass playing helps my guitar playing.

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November 25, 2009 at 1:41 pm | How to, Practicing and Practice Routine | 4 comments

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