Photo by TeddyBear [Picnic]

Have you tried something new lately?

The old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is true the majority of the time, but maybe it’s time to break this rule in favor of something new. What do I mean? Let’s say you’ve been playing the same old strings for years, and you like them or else you wouldn’t be still buying them, right? Well, since you bought your first pack of (Brand name) strings there have been many advancements in string making technology. So how do you know you’ve not been missing out on the best tone, comfort, and response by choosing to stick with the same old strings you’ve always had?

Or maybe you’re content – a word that can lead to staleness in no time at all – with the same picks you’ve been playing since you were in musical diapers. Did you know that the pick you use can make – or break – your tone (we’ll discuss this in a later article)? What if you could have the best tone, speed, and playability you’ve ever had if you’d just try something new? There’s no big commitment; just a few cents out of your own pocket for a different brand, material, shape, etc. of pick.

What’s all this about? I want you to be the best guitarist you can possibly be, and more often than not, it requires a bit of something most of us are afraid of: RISK. You need to know that sometimes being great requires you to change. Change your way of thinking. Change the equipment you use. Change how you listen to music. Change the music you listen to, for that matter. Change is everywhere. Change is a major key in your development as a guitarist. In order to “evolve” in your musicianship, you must be accepting of change…

DON’T BE AFRAID OF CHANGE!!!

It may be scary at first, but remember this: If the change you’ve made doesn’t work as good as what you’ve been doing (different strings, picks, effects, scales, etc.) you can almost always change back!  In the last article I referenced another article I recommended about breaking bad habits and developing good ones.  So maybe a new motto for you to embrace would be, “If it ain’t broke, BREAK IT!” I leave you with a couple more great quotes on change:

“The only thing constant in life is change.”

Francois de la Rochefoucauld

“The only thing that stays the same is change.”

Jarod Kintz

Best Wishes and Keep Practicing,

Eric Beaty

Secrets of Texas Blues Guitar