From strings to skills: Keeping productive as a guitarist in the comfort of home
Research shows 1 in 3 Brits would rather have a night in than go out. In a world where staying home has become the new norm, many guitar enthusiasts find themselves with extra time on their hands. While it's tempting to give in to feelings of boredom or restlessness, being at home more often presents a unique opportunity for guitarists to advance their skills, explore new techniques, and deepen their musical understanding.
“More time at home has a lot of benefits, like saving money, spending more quality time with your family and being able to spend more time on your hobbies” says James Whitten, Marketing Manager at musicGuard.
Leading music insurer musicGuard shares few tips on how guitarists can make the most of their time at home, whilst still fuelling their passion.
Guitar cleaning
Guitar cleaning is likely to be high on the list of tasks that should be done but have yet to be addressed. It certainly is not the most exciting job, but it is important to keep a guitar properly maintained, as it will ensure the instrument stays in tip-top condition for longer.
Building a guitar pedalboard
For electric guitar fans, regardless of the size of the pedalboard, it is useful to invest some time in arranging their effects pedals according to their personal preferences. Prior to strapping the pedals down to the board, it is beneficial to consider the most efficient way to lay them out.
Guitarists should arrange their most-used effects pedals closest to them, while placing the least-used ones furthest away. Typically, three rows of pedals should fit on a standard-sized pedalboard. It is important to note that there is no right or wrong method to arrange a pedalboard- just a subject to personal preference.
Learning scales
For individuals who have not yet mastered scales, when having some spare time, it is a good opportunity to do so. While it is not essential to memorise them entirely, understanding scales can greatly enhance their skill. Scales are the building blocks for melodies, chords, and solos. Beginners can start by familiarising themselves with major scales followed by chord structures.
Jazz and blues music offer excellent starting points for learning scales, with lead sheets or chord charts serving as useful resources. Guitarists can also access numerous YouTube tutorials to help with their understanding of scales.
“Whether you are a guitarist who prefers the comfort of your home or just have some spare time during a rainy day, there are plenty of musical tasks to be getting on with that will really benefit your playing” adds Whitten.
Read more tips on how guitarists can stay productive indoors:
https://www.musicguard.co.uk/guitar-home-tips
ENDS