Ok, I know many have heard this old chestnut: A tourist is wandering around New York City when he stops and asks the store owner who is opening up shop for the day,” Do you know how I get to Carnegie Hall? The busy shop owner hardly pauses to think about the question just asked to him and says “Yeah, practice, practice, practice!”
So what do I find as important as that obvious tip for improving technique for many guitar and mandolin players? You’re looking at it.
I have often suggested to my students that leaving their guitar or mandolin cradled on a secure instrument stand is a sure way to end up practicing more often. I know this holds true for myself. If the instrument is in view and displayed on a stand, I am much more likely to walk by and pick it up and play, even if just for a few minutes. Most of the time a few minutes becomes many minutes and before you know it you are spending some quality practice time without really ever intending to. Continue reading Stand by your guitar…man→