This is a continuation on my blog post from Music Therapy Source, which I recommend reading before watching this video or reading the transcript.
Transcript:
I recently wrote a blog post about visualization and in general how it can be a powerful tool for us as therapists, educators, students, etc.
I want to dig a bit deeper with you today with a little more specificity in how it applies to guitar.
When you’re working on specific skills, you will get there so much faster if you practice even when you don’t have a guitar in your hands.
When you’re stopped at a red light. Before you drift off to sleep. When you’re going for a run or working out.
You can think about playing that scale. You can imagine hearing yourself play that barre chord perfectly. Imagine yourself playing a song from start to finish with no mistakes. See the chord transitions and/or lyrics in your head.
This is tremendously effective, and it’s a strategy I constantly use without really realizing it.
I’ll be working on a song, put down my guitar, come back the next day, and whoa! I can’t really believe the improvement.
You have access to this strategy.
Something we often do with things that we fear or things that make us uncomfortable is we avoid them. We don’t like to think about it.
But if we change our relationship with the instrument and enjoy practicing in the literal sense and in a visual sense, we can make great strides.
Here’s another powerful technique. If you’re working on a specific skill, like barre chords, think about the most important problem a little bit before you go to bed. Like, an hour or two if possible.
Is it a physical problem? Is the high E string always buzzy? Does your hand hurt? Are you too slow to get there? Figure out the most important problem and write it down.
Then, when you wake up the next day, pick up your guitar and attempt the skill. Try as many ways as you can to “make it happen”. This is essentially a brainstorming session.
This is like giving an assignment to your subconscious. And your brain works on it while you are sleeping.
Believe it or not, I’ve worked on songs and skills while dreaming. I know – super weird. But your subconscious is powerful and it can even help you figure out the complex physical challenges without having to overly intellectualize the issue or try to come up with vocabulary to explain exactly how your hand and arm should be placed.
So to summarize, visualize yourself producing the sounds and songs in the manner you would like to hear them. Do this intentionally. Do it when you have unexpected free moments. Keep your goals fresh in your mind so that your subconscious will keep working on it, even when you don’t have access to a guitar.
Also, continue with the affirmation I’ve discussed in other contexts:
I enjoy playing guitar, and learning it comes naturally to me.
Now go out there and start visualizing.
