If you're a guitarist, you know the feeling of getting into the zone while playing. It's that state of complete immersion in the music where everything else fades away, and you're solely focused on the sound of the instrument and the notes you're playing. As Eddie Van Halen once said, "After two or three hours, I start getting into this total meditation. It's a feeling few people experience, and that's usually when I come up with weird stuff. It just flows. I can't force myself. I don't sit down and say I've got to practice."
Getting into the zone while playing guitar is both an art and a science. It requires finding the right balance between challenge and skill, while also removing any distractions or external pressures. For some, this may mean finding a quiet space to play, while for others, it may mean turning off their phone or putting on the cans.
But getting into the zone takes time, and any less than 45 minutes of dedicated practice can be considered the "wimp filter" - preventing you from achieving that state of complete immersion in the music.
Once you're in the zone, it's a magical feeling. The music flows effortlessly, and you find yourself playing things you never thought were possible. It's that sense of complete absorption in the music that can help boost your confidence and increase your enjoyment of playing.
In addition to being a fulfilling experience, getting into the zone can also help improve your overall well-being. When you're completely focused on the music, you're less likely to experience stress or anxiety. Plus, the sense of accomplishment and mastery that comes with playing guitar can help boost your self-esteem and self-confidence in other areas of your life.
So, how do you get into the zone? For starters, it's important to establish a regular practice routine. This could mean setting aside a certain amount of time each day or each week to practice, or it could mean finding a practice partner or joining a band to help keep you accountable.
Try this -
Step 1: Start with some basic warm-up exercises to get your head in the game. For example, use only your right hand to get your picking hand going for about 30 minutes.Take a quick break to not fragment your energy.
Step 2: Next, switch to using your left hand and play some legato, basic notes or some chords for another 30 minutes.
Step 3: Combine both hands and spend some time practicing chords or playing some cool riffs. This will help you get in the groove and prepare to launch. Keep practicing until you feel fully immersed in the music and in the zone. Good luck!
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