Does it seem like your favorite guitar players are just so far ahead of your current lead guitar playing that you could never catch up?
Reality:
All your favorite guitarists were at or below your current skill set at one time too. You become like them by practicing efficiently and effectively, not by having natural talent.
Too many guitar players think creativity is a “you have it or you don’t” skill.
Result: They never practice to become more creative… don’t do what they do.
Avoid the other mistakes many guitarists make to improve your guitar playing creativity:
Mistake #1: Not Making Every Note Count
It’s common for guitarists to memorize scale patterns, then play up and down them in a mindless manner while soloing. Problem is, this doesn’t sound very musical.
Playing amazing guitar solos that sound expressive and creative is about HOW you play notes, not (as much) the notes themselves. This makes it critical that you learn how to use excellent phrasing in order to squeeze as much emotion from every note you play.
This turns your guitar solos into short pieces of music rather than just repetitive exercises, like shown with the technique in this blues double stops video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOVxF8TxFGQ
Mistake #2: Trying To Play Super-Fast All The Time
It takes a lot of time to become a fast and clean guitarist. However, you don’t need to constantly play fast in order to show this to people.
Speed should be a tool you use to make your guitar solos sound intense at the right moments. It’s cool to rip up and down the fretboard sometimes for sure — but don’t fall into the trap of overdoing it.
Mistake #3: Not Learning Lessons From Great Guitarists
Sure, you probably play solos (or sections of solos) from some of your favorite guitar players.
Definitely one of the most fun things to do on guitar.
However, your guitar playing creativity goes through the roof when you practice solos like this while specifically using them to work on elements like phrasing.
This is how you quickly absorb their technical and creative skills into your own playing!
How is this done?
Learn how to make your guitar solos sound more creative using this unique blues guitar technique.
About The Author:
Tom Hess is a highly successful guitar teacher, recording artist and composer. He teaches guitar players from all over the world in his online guitar lessons. Learn more on the Tom Hess Wikipedia page.
