The ultimate goal that a musician should strive for is to be able to play whatever they can imagine or feel like playing in that moment. To truly express themselves.
Imagine an onion. Each layer represents a barrier standing between you and the musician you’ve always dreamed of becoming.
These barriers might be technical challenges, gaps in your knowledge, or mental blocks, like fear of hitting a wrong note or doubting your abilities. Peeling away these layers, one at a time, is the key to unlocking your true musical potential and expressing yourself freely through your instrument.
Beyond the Myths of Mastery
Too many aspiring musicians believe that greatness comes from practicing eight hours a day or more. While dedication is vital, it’s not about exhausting yourself with endless repetition—high-quality, focused practice trumps quantity every time. Mindless practice can reinforce bad habits, whereas focused effort builds real skill. Others assume natural talent is the golden ticket. Talent helps, sure, but even the most gifted players refine their craft through hard work. Then there’s the myth that playing faster than everyone else defines success—speed might impress, but without knowing how to use that technique, it’s just noise. And comparing yourself to a guitar hero you admire? That’s a recipe for frustration, not progress.
The real aim isn’t to copy others or chase technical feats for their own sake. It’s about discovering your voice. As you strip away those barriers, your influences—the songs you love, the riffs you learn, the solos you transcribe—will naturally weave into your playing. What you listen to and practice shapes your style.
The Struggle to See the Barriers
Here’s the catch: most beginner and intermediate players don’t know how to figure out what is holding them back. Maybe you’re stuck on a riff that sounds sloppy, unaware that your finger placement needs tweaking. Or perhaps you’re hesitant to improvise because you don’t trust your instincts. You don’t realize that the extra string noise caused by poor muting technique is what is making your playing sound bad. Without clarity, you could grind away for months with little to show for it. Every so often, a rare genius figures it out on their own, but for the rest of us, that’s like stumbling through a huge maze blindfolded—possible, but exhausting and slow.
Why a Mentor Matters
This is where a mentor changes everything. Someone with experience can spot your obstacles, offer precise feedback, and steer you right when you’re off course. They see what you miss: a tense wrist slowing you down or a theory gap stunting your creativity. With their guidance, you’re not guessing your way forward—you’re following a clear path. It’s faster and far less frustrating than taking random turns, hoping you’ll eventually arrive. Without a guide, that lost, stuck feeling can sap your drive.
Picture this: two guitarists start out. One fumbles through online videos, making slow, uneven progress. The other works with a seasoned teacher who pinpoints their weaknesses and builds a plan. A year later, the mentored player isn’t just better—they are well on their way to finding their own sound. The difference? Direction.
The Ingredients for Success
Even with a mentor, though, it’s on you to make it work. It starts with desire—a deep, burning need to play that keeps you going. Then there’s consistent practice—not sporadic marathons, but steady, daily effort (think 15 to 30 minutes a day over sporadic three-hour bursts). Persistence is your grit; progress isn’t linear, and you’ll hit plateaus—push through them. Finally, follow your mentor’s advice. They’ve been there; trust their roadmap, even if it feels odd at first.
Choosing the Right Guide
Not every mentor fits the bill. You need someone who plays the style you’re drawn to—blues, metal, jazz, whatever excites you—and excels at it. But playing well isn’t enough. Great musicians aren’t always great teachers. Some only coach for cash, not passion, and lack the knack for breaking things down. A true mentor thinks in layers, like that onion, peeling back each challenge at the right pace. They don’t just show off a lick and leave you to mimic it—they explain why it works, how to practice it, and how it fits your style.
Look for someone trained to teach, with a track record of lifting students up. Ask: How do they approach lessons? How long have they taught? What have their students achieved? A passionate teacher invests in your journey, tailoring their wisdom to your goals.
Your Path Forward
Becoming the musician you’ve imagined isn’t about grinding harder or being born a prodigy. It’s about peeling away what hides your voice, layer by layer, with a skilled mentor lighting the way. Embrace your influences, commit with desire and persistence, and watch your unique sound emerge. The road might twist, but with guidance and grit, you’ll play the way you’ve always dreamed—one peeled layer at a time.
About The Author
Brian Fish is a professional guitarist who has been dedicated to helping other guitar players in Northeast Ohio pursue their musical dreams since 1994. He’s passionate about guiding others on their musical journey! He is the Guitar Playing Transformation Specialist, instructor, mentor, trainer, and coach at
Guitar Lessons Geauga.
Brian has also assisted people from around the globe in developing a solid sense of timing and enhancing their creativity through the fantastic rhythm course, “Ultimate Rhythm Mastery,” available at MusicTheoryForGuitar.com.
If you live in Geauga County / North East Ohio, Guitar Lessons Geauga can help you become the player you’ve always wanted to be.
