I’m very happy to say that the NAMM show was a great success for our little company. We landed a small distribution deal and generated a lot of interest with guitar manufacturers that have starter packs and entry-level guitars.
It was a great learning experience for me personally, as I don’t really consider myself a “salesman” type of a person, I was really stretched.
Now back to work! We’ll keep posting lessons and tips, and keep you updated on the progress of our translations and new DVDs.
Thanks everyone for your support,
Andrew Wonacott, President
The Musician’s Toolbox, LLC
We’re gearing up for the NAMM show in January. We will be looking for distributors and publishers who are interested in new products, like our Learn Guitar Chords DVD. We’re proud to be an offical member of NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants and are looking forward to making our little company more visible to the industry and the public.
I will make another post with updates after the show.
Andrew Wonacott, President
The Musician’s Toolbox
We just finished our end of the year recital where we had over 100 kids perform, and it got me thinking about performing music.
It is essential that if you are trying to learn an instrument, you perform. You might feel like you’re going to puke your guts out from nervousness, but performing is what ultimately builds confidence and helps you make progress. WHEN, (not if) you end up making mistakes, you learn from them and are able to improve your understanding of your instrument.
Make sure that if you are paying for music lessons you get to perform. Recitals and performances are a must, and you won’t be spending your money wisely without them.
Much Respect,
The Musician’s Toolbox
Wow, that sounds really wise, like an old Chinese proverb or something. Well, it might be, but it’s the starting point from which you will really start to see progress. Here’s the practical side of practicing “better.”
1.) Where you practice is important, so limit your distractions. If you’re not concentrating, you’re not going to make progress.
2.) It’s better to practice 15-30 minutes a day for 5-6 days a week than it is to practice 2 hours only one day a week. Why, you ask? Because it’s the repetition that builds confidence, muscle memory, and accuracy.
3.) Use a metronome or a drum loop of some kind while you practice your warm-ups, scales, guitar chords, etc. Learning to keep a consistent beat will take you far, and you can’t do it with just your imagination.
4.) Keep your guitar tuned at all times. Don’t be lazy with your tuning! Why, you ask? Because you’re building your listening skills as you practice whether you know it or not. Train your brain to hear the notes in tune! Your band will thank you later.
Much Respect,
The Musician’s Toolbox
The most important advice that most parents overlook when their child is learning to play the guitar is simple: At least once a month, go sit in on your child’s lessons and become aware of what your child is learning. This will allow you to gauge your child’s continuing interest, it will keep your teacher on his/her toes and at the top of their game, and it will give you the confidence you need to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
Simple, but essential.
Much Respect,
The Musician’s Toolbox
