Sunday 2 August 2009

A Real Guitar Hero Has This Skill - Do You?

by Donovan Lanier
So you went from mastering the video game to playing guitar for real, but don't think you are ready for a record deal just yet. This article will tell you what you absolutely must learn to earn the credentials of a real "Guitar Hero."

What you learn in this brief article will enable you to amp up your credibility as a musician, gain deeper respect from your band members, and win the hearts of your fans. Keep reading to discover how to go from "Guitar Novice" to "Guitar Hero".

There are countless guitars in homes across the nation, but there are comparatively few true guitarists. What is it that separates the hobby musician from a true guitar player? The biggest difference is that serious players have the ability to play by ear the songs they hear. They can discern notes and chords from things listened to on their CD's or on MP3 players, then mentally transcribe the song and play it themselves.

Think about all those aspiring musicians out there who are dependent on the guitar tablature printed in magazines or downloaded from the worldwide web. Imagine an aspiring "Guitar Hero" going in for an audition and being asked to play back a piece of previously recorded music he's just heard. His reply? "Sure, ok.... where's the tab?" He would be laughed right out of the building! Would you blame them? Don't get me wrong, guitar tab is a good place to start, but serious musicians understand that they must progress beyond that point.

The Bottom Line is: If you want to be seen as a serious guitarist, then you must commit to ear training.

Ear training is the cornerstone of a good musical career and can not be ignored if you want real credibility. Ear training shows a level of professionalism and dedication not seen in the hobby player. The good news is that with the right training, you can cultivate this skill and use it to your advantage. Learning to play by ear will take your music and technical abilities to new heights.

Do yourself a favor and commit to developing the ability to play music "by ear". Earn yourself the right to be called a "Guitar Hero". The resource links will point you in the right direction.