Inspiration

You can imagine sources of inspiration, I’m sure you have them. You certainly were inspired somehow to play guitar in the first place—unless you were forced to do so. I want to offer a particular source of inspiration we all experience that you might overlook: the inspiration of dull and boring exercises or songs you really have no desire to play.

How can things you don’t want to play inspire you? In general, exercises you’re give by your instructor are for a greater goal than simply mastering the exercise. And performing less interesting material usually happens because, well, someone wants you to play it.

These less-interesting moments are stepping-stones to where you want to be.
I recently requested a student to work especially hard on piece he really didn’t like, that his reward would be something more interesting to play. I felt I had to manipulate him in this way because he was always rushing ahead and doing a sloppy job of pieces he was not yet able to play. By cutting a deal with him, I was able to inspire him with material that, to his mind, was dull and boring.

Life inspires us. Every step is progress. Be inspired by what’s lackluster in your life.