Mistake #1
Not Learning The Inner Workings Of The Fretboard
Unlike the piano for example, the guitar fretboard is not black and white...
...and even though it can seem to be mysterious, elusive and downright confusing, there’s actually an exact science of how it all works.
It’s all about patterns and shapes, and once you learn to unlock that you’re golden.
More importantly you need to learn how to use these patterns and shapes in a musical setting.
In my experience, the best thing you can do is learn how the CAGED system works.
Specifically as it relates to worship music.
What does that mean?
You need to learn how to play the right shapes and patterns in a big worship band, because the type of guitar parts required in that ensemble is very different to what you’ll play in a blues or rock trio, for example.
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So when you work on your fretboard skills, make sure you do it in a way that serves your ultimate goal. In future posts I’ll show you exactly what types of shapes and patterns you need to make up the bulk of modern worship guitar parts.
Mistake #2
Not Learning The Right Theory
There’s a saying that goes like this: “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”
I love that, because it’s all about empowering and equipping someone which is exactly what WorshipGuitarSkills.com is all about.
Theory happens to be one of the elements we use to empower and equip guitar players.
For example, if I just show you a bunch of shapes and patterns that’s the equivalent of giving you a fish.
However, if I show you where those patterns come from and how they work in a musical context, I’ll be giving you MASSIVE power.
You’ll be able to think for yourself, take the original idea and apply it to a variety of situations.
However, it’s important to know that not all theory has been created equal.
You don’t need to learn useless theory that doesn’t apply to your end goal.
The trick is this: you need to know WHICH theory you need to learn.
In other words, focus on empowering theory and not on useless theory.
So how do you tell the difference?
Keep reading this blog and check out our upcoming posts on theory that matters along with examples showing you how to implement this knowledge musically.
Mistake #3
Not Learning How To Practice Properly
Most guitar players tend to go around in circles just like the Israelites did back in the day.
Doing the same thing day in and day out on their journey to the promised land.
Turns out that the same idea translates to playing guitar, and more specifically to how you practice.
Most guitar players tend to go around in circles just like the Israelites did back in the day.
Doing the same thing day in and day out on their journey to the promised land.
Turns out that the same idea translates to playing guitar, and more specifically to how you practice.
Everyone has an idea of the type of guitar player they want to become, but instead of getting closer to their “promised land”, they keep going around in circles, wasting time and getting frustrated.
Maybe you can relate?
You have most likely heard the phrase: “Practice makes perfect.”
Well that’s actually not true.
“Practice makes permanent” is a more accurate description.
That means, if your practice sessions or practice habits are inefficient then you’re not perfecting anything. Instead, you’re only making bad habits permanent.
It’s bad habits or lack of insight that result in guitar players not making full use of the time they spend with their instrument, which ultimately leads to frustrating results.
That’s why it’s important that you learn how to practice the right way.
A good place to start with is to check out the 4 stages of learning and adapt your practice session accordingly.
We’ll cover that and more practice strategies in future, so be sure to sign up to our mailing list so you can be notified when that becomes available.
Mistake #4
Neglecting Their Tone
Tone is king!
Why?
Well you might be playing amazing chords, riffs and licks but if the tone sucks, it doesn’t really matter what you’re playing because it won’t sound good.
On the contrary, if your tone is great, you can play the most basic guitar parts and they’ll sound amazing.
Problem is, most guitar players never really learn the intricacies of how to create a great tone that is suitable for worship guitar playing.
Define suitable?
Well, the role that the electric guitar plays in a worship setting is very different to the role that it plays in a guitar driven blues band, for example.
In the church ensemble, you’re most likely playing with a keyboard player who’s working with a range of different sounds.
Normally there’s a bunch of singers, an acoustic guitar player and maybe even another electric guitar player.
This means you need to learn how to fit your playing into the sonic space so that it serves a specific function and can actually cut through the mix and get heard.
Contrast that with a blues trio where the electric guitar is responsible for the full sonic spread.
When you look at these two different scenarios, you’ll begin to see why you need to learn how to adapt your tone based on the other instruments and singers in your band’s line up.
Get it right and the worship set will cook.
Get it wrong and it’ll feel like it’s all been in vain.
Mistake #5
Never Learn How To Find And Develop Their Own Unique Voice
Most guitar players end up being copycats of famous worship bands.
Now as part of being professional, even if you’re an amateur player, you need to be able to play specific parts at specific times.
However, there will be many opportunities that will give space for you to express your own unique voice and feel as a worshipper.
But if you don’t know how to do this, the moment will pass and you’ll miss out on adding your own unique contribution.
God has made us all unique.
He’s given you your own voice that you need to develop on the guitar.
In fact, there’s a huge need for worship guitar players to find and express their own unique voice and unleash their creativity.
Outro
Scan this post real quick.
How many of these mistakes have you made in the past?
How will you go about solving them?
If you would like some guidance on the journey, be sure to sign up to our mailing list so I can keep you posted whenever I release new lessons.
I’d love to serve and guide you through this process as you find and develop your own unique voice!
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