Guitar Lesson - Getting Through Those Sticky Parts - Simplify!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lee_Griffith]Lee Griffith

What do you do when you can play an entire song quite well and at a nice, even tempo--except for one little sticky part? There is that one chord change that slows you down--or one note in that bass run you just can't stretch your finger quickly enough to reach (and keep the beat going). What can you do? The answer is simple: Simplify!

If you have trouble getting your hand in the position to play a particular chord fast enough, or you can't seem to position your fingers to play the chord cleanly, the solution may be to play the same chord in a different way. There are usually several ways to play a chord. Do a little research--you can find many chord shapes by just using the Google search engine. One thing you can often do is substitute a chord which you only play with three or four strings for a chord which you'd rather play using all six strings. No, it won't sound as full, but, hey, we're talking about being able to get through the song smoothly! I remember in my early days of playing guitar, I played the B minor chord using 4 strings instead of six.

What about a trouble spot in a bass run or lead guitar lick? The first thing you might try is picking the sequence of notes an octave higher or lower. If you have just one note giving you problem--maybe you just can't reach it in time to keep up with the pace of the song--try either playing the note an octave higher or lower or using an entirely different note, as long as it works. I play mandolin, and about a year ago I was working on Bach's Bouree I from a Mel Bay book. I could play the song pretty well, except for C note to a D note that I had to awkwardly stretch my fingers up to the 8th and 7th frets on the E string to reach. I just changed the two notes to the same notes, but an octave lower, on the 3rd and 2nd frets of the D string. No one would be aware that anything was even changed except for a real Bach enthusiast! Actually, I think those two notes sound better in that run the way I play them!

When dealing with tricky spots in the songs you are practicing for your repertoire, always look for ways to simplify. Rather than spending endless hours of frustration trying to learn a difficult chord or series of notes, don't be afraid to make a few minor alterations!

Copyright © 2008 Lee Griffith. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lee Griffith is an avid acoustic guitar player and a vintage instrument enthusiast. He invites you to receive a FREE REPORT on a revolutionary acoustic guitar lesson kit, along with his weekly newsletter via email. just click on [http://optin.flatpickpost.com]http://optin.flatpickpost.com.

Check out Lee's blog, "The Flatpick Post" at [http://flatpickpost.com]http://flatpickpost.com.

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Top 10 Mistakes Bands and Musicians Make
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Hooper]David Hooper

If you want to get a record deal, get people to your shows, or sell music like crazy, the answer isn't some kind of "magic pill" website that you post your music on, blindly sending out a bunch of demos, or anything to do with having good music...although good music certainly helps -- the answer is to develop a "mindset" that naturally attracts people to what you're doing as well as an understanding of how the music business game is played.

As you develop as a person, your music career will develop with you.  Sounds crazy, but it's true...and I've seen it time and time again, with thousands of acts that I've worked with, from garage bands, to the guys selling out arenas.  Check out these ten common music business mistakes:

10. Being Too Difficult (or Too Nice)

First of all, let's get this clear...  Just because you wrote a few good songs and recorded them, doesn't mean that the world revolves around you.  Lots of people write and record good songs, so get in line.

Contrary to what the online rumor mill or media would have you believe, people in the music business are involved because they love music...and they're not making enough to deal with jerks.  And they won't deal with jerks.  If you're a pain, they're just go to the next guy, who also writes good songs, but has a better attitude.

With that said, don't be too nice.  You don't have to say yes to everything.  Pick your battles.  If there is something you really feel strongly about, don't settle for anything less.

Bottom line: Keep your ego in check and behave with courtesy and respect. At the same time, don't let anyone treat you any less.

9. Trying to Convince People of Anything...

You play music; you're not in the convincing business.  Either people get what you're doing or they don't.

So, some reviewer, booking agent or manager doesn't like your new album. Let it go! Don't try to convince him he'll like is better after a second listen. He won't. And the more you press him to give your music another shot, the more he'll remember how annoying you were.  This means he'll be far less open to ever listening to you again.

There are a lot of people who won't "hear it" when you approach them. So what? Move on.  There are plenty of other people in this business who can help you. Go find the people who do "hear it" and put your energy into building good relationships with them instead.

8. Looking for Industry Approval

There was a time when the "industry" had a lot more pull when it came to breaking an artist, getting them distributed, and everything else.  This is a new time, so we're playing with different rules now.

Distribution is easy.  Every day, more and more albums are being sold digitally, so you no longer need a label to finance pressing tens of thousands of physical albums (or more) and getting them to record stores.

These days, recording music is easier than ever. You can get a good
recording setup for just a few thousand dollars.  And if you can't afford recording equipment, there are plenty of people who have some, whom you can hire inexpensively. You are not limited on the number of options for getting something on tape.

But most importantly, once you get this stuff together, you don't need the industry to tell you your music is worthy.  The consumers, the people who buy your music, are really the only opinions that matter.  And when you have the love of the consumers, the industry will come around.

The thing is, in the music industry, technology has changed faster than mindset. Stop believing you are at the mercy of any record label executive. You're not. Connect directly with your fans--on your terms. The feedback, loyalty and money you receive from them will be far more gratifying than you spending your time beating your head against a wall trying to figure out a way to get an approving nod from a record label.

7. Not Building Strong Relationships with Fans

People aren't stupid. They know that they're being marketed to.  They know when you're looking to sell them something.

Do they mind?  No.

In fact, if you have a good relationship with your fans, they won't mind being marketed to and, if you do it well, they look forward to being marketed to.

However, they have to know you care.

Building relationships with fans take time.  You have to show them you care.

Do things like:

* Give them a few free songs to download

* Have message board on your website and build a community there

* Do a "fan appreciation" show

* Record a holiday album that you give out to your fan club.

Show them in special ways that you, not only care, but that you're willing to go the extra mile to show your appreciation. In turn, they will buy your music, travel to see you play, call radio stations on your behalf and promote you all over the Web.

Every day, no matter if you're busy recording, on the road or at home worrying about how you're going to find the money to make your project happen, do something (no matter how small the gesture is) to reach out to your fans.

6. Not "Getting" How the Fan/Artist Relationship Works

You're the leader and your fans do the following.  You make the offer, they choose whether or not to accept.

Take charge, record the music, play the shows, print the t-shirts, and let them have the options of buying your album, coming to see you, or getting something to wear.

The average person has enough "leadership" in his day.  He's looking for somebody to take control, and let him ride along for a little while.  Do it.

5. Laying Everything on the Table...

You're a rockstar.  Keep that fantasy.  Don't tell people how broke you are, that you're still living with your mother, or anything else that breaks the image of you fans have in their minds.

One of the reasons people like music is because they have the opportunity to live vicariously through the people they are listening to.  When you are on stage, they're up there with you.  When you're on the road in your tour bus, they're riding shotgun.  Don't take that away.

Give them insight into your life and what it's like in your world. However, be selective with the details. Always remember, you're selling music, but you're also selling a persona.

4. Thinking The Key to Success is Musical Talent, Money, or Looks

Yes, if we're talking about pop music, MTV, or the major label system, a certain amount of a contrived "image" probably helps sell records.

Obviously, money helps things.  And it's always good if you can sing.

But it's not "image" that gets somebody on MTV, it's marketing.  It's not good songs that get people on the radio, it's marketing.  And it's not money, although it helps.  It's marketing.

You can play well, have money, and look like a model, but if you don't have the marketing to back you up, none of it matters.

You know what? If you do have a good, solid marketing plan in place (and you're using it), everything else doesn't matter so much.

3. Giving Up Power

Keep control as long as you can.  Yes, a major label deal will give you opportunity that being on an indie label won't.  And a professional manager has connections that you don't.

But when you sign with these guys, you're handing over your career to somebody else. Nobody cares as much about your career than you do. When you and your talent are the most important commodity you have to offer, do not give up your power easily and without a damn good reason.

Your music is worth something. You are worth something. Think of your career as being "virtual real estate" which, if marketed correctly, will pay dividends for years to come.  So, treat it like that.

2. Jumping at Every Opportunity

You don't have to say yes to everything.  In fact, sometimes, saying no to something can be more beneficial to your career than saying yes.

Why do you say yes to things? Take a look at your standards and make them higher. As an example, just because a club has a PA system doesn't mean that it's worth playing there.

There are some gigs that just aren't worth playing.  There are some
connections that just aren't worth developing.

When you say yes to something, especially something that takes your time, you're saying no to everything else.  Leave yourself open to saying yes to the opportunities that really matter.

Trust your own judgment. If something doesn't feel right and you want to say no, it's ok to say no. At that moment, you may worry you're passing up a great opportunity and will be missing out. The reality is, better opportunities (that are a better fit for you) will come and you will be ready for them.

1. Not Getting Help

You don't know everything.  This business has been around for a long time--long before you were involved.

Read books, get advice from people who work in the industry and keep studying every aspect of the industry.

Don't be afraid to ask for help.  You can bypass a lot of the problems you're likely to run into simply by asking people who have already been in, and dealt with, the situations you find yourself in.

Remember this:

Time is worth more than money.  You can always earn more money, but you have a limited amount of time.

Don't waste your time.  If you don't know something, or need specific help, don't be afraid to pay somebody to help you deal with whatever obstacle you face. Don't let anything stop you from having all the knowledge and know-how you need to have the success you aspire to have.

David Hooper is a music business expert based out of Nashville, TN. He is host of the syndicated radio show, Music Business Radio. For more on David, visit him at http://www.musicmarketing.com/

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