Hey there, fellow guitar enthusiasts! Ready to take your playing to the next level? Today, we're talking all about recording and analyzing your guitar skills. Picture this: you're jamming away, shredding those riffs like a rockstar, but how do you know if you're truly nailing it?
Recording your guitar playing is one of the fastest ways to improve on your instrument! While it can often be an uncomfortable feeling, getting used to hitting that ‘record’ button and being okay with whatever happens next is a super valuable skill to develop as a guitar player!
Here are some reasons why you should start recording and analyzing your guitar playing.
Improve Your Guitar Playing
Recording ourselves playing on our instruments allows us to take a step back and observe our playing. It’s tough to assess our own playing in the moment. Especially mid-song. Watching a video of ourselves after the moment has passed allows us to listen from a different perspective.
Either a few minutes after playing, the next day, or after the show is over. You might notice certain licks are rushed or some chord transitions are choppy. These are tough to hear when you are in the moment. That is why listening back to the recording is so important! I still record myself so I can get an outside perspective.
Recording Techniques
This is a valuable skill, especially if you have plans to write music or experiment with recording in the future. When it comes to capturing your epic guitar moments, there are a few tricks up our sleeves. You will want to make sure you have a decent microphone on your recording device.
The better the quality, the sweeter the sound.
Then, experiment with placement. Close up on your hands or further back to see whole body movements and posture. And don't forget about room acoustics – a cozy space can make all the difference.
Hitting that record button makes all of our heart rates go up! But the more you do it, the more comfortable you will be. Don’t be afraid to hit record, start the practice now!
Skill Analysis
My favorite offering on Fender 1:1 is the option to submit a Skill Analysis. This is a short video submission sent to your Coach that can be analyzed in detail to help speed up your progress on songs, solos, licks, chord transitions, and anything you’re working on.
If you’re in the habit of recording your practice sessions, you can send a snippet of this to your coach for review! We can get a close-up view of finger placement, technique, and so much more just from a short video with the ability to highlight specific points and watch in slow motion. We send this video directly back to you so you can see these points as they happen.
Tracking Your Progress
Use your video sessions as a personal tracking system or journal entry! Create a folder on your phone or computer with a series of videos. These could be certain songs you’re working on or building speed on a solo. This allows us to look back at the previous month, or even years, to see how far we’ve come!
It’s tough to see the progress in the moment, but looking back at old session videos allows us to highlight how much we’ve improved. You might notice your pull offs sound cleaner now than a month ago. Or your ability to switch between chords is way faster now compared to your video a year ago! Keeping this tracking system or journal entry is a fun way to look back at old videos and celebrate the wins along your guitar journey!
Learn More With Fender 1:1
Fender 1:1 coaches are accessible and flexible. They work on your schedule, so they are there for you when and where you need them. You can rewatch your sessions as many times as you need without the added fees other private coaches add on. Fun fact - lessons with Fender coaches typically cost 30% less than a standard in-person coach.
All lessons, sessions, and learning drills are personalized to you. Fender coaches listen to your goals and help you develop a pathway to accomplishment. The Fender 1:1 partnership with Blayze requires all coaches to go through an extensive application process, so you know you are getting the best out there.
Explore more details on our coaching sessions here. Start on your musical journey today for only $29!
