These are some of the moments that I have had in my music life. Some of these moments you don't realize until you have that "lightbulb" moment. Over my 6 years of playing here 5 essential tips to help you improve your playing.
If you take these tips to heart and use these tips in your playing, you will definitely see an improvement in your playing. Even for myself, I am still on that path where I am still learning and using this list as a guide.
1. Play With Many Different Musicians
If possible, try your best to network and play with many different musicians. If you can, play with people who are better than you. When you are playing by yourself you can do all the runs, chords and progressions you want but when your in a room full of awesome musicians the mood changes. You forget what you wanted to play. My best advice is to not so much focus on the mind of music but on the heart of music. If you play from your heart, there are great things that can happen.
2. What is Your Role In The Song?
Believe it or not, musicians fight for power. This maybe through trying to become the "star" of the show. Sometimes that's not really necessary in the song. Everyone should be sharing a piece of the action. If you lay down the building blocks to the song then you start building the actual song. Try to find your voice in the song and embrace it.
3. Effects Can't Hide Everything
This is one of the hardest things to say but unfortunately it's true. Effects can't cover everything. Musicians use technology to cover up their playing. Although, what I am saying here is that effects are great but don't abuse them. If you take away the effects you notice that the playing is very loose and sloppy. If you are going to use effects on piano, guitar or drums just make sure it adds to the overall sound and tone.
4. Don't Stop Learning Songs
One of the most fatal mistakes a musician can make is being too comfortable. You need to keep learning in order to stay in touch with the world and with your playing. This helps you to get out of any mental block that you maybe having. A new song or a piece of music can help you learn something new and add to your playing. For example, tv themes are written professionally and these people are experts at what they do. They want you to learn that stuff. This will help you to find or create a new style.
5. Have Fun
I can't stress this enough. Music is something fun that inspires you to create something beautiful. If you have fun, then people will notice and have fun with you. You can be successful if you have fun with what you are doing and how you do it.
I want to know what are some tips that you have learned over the course of your playing? Please share your tips and secrets down below so that other musicians can grow as well.