Learn music theory.
A strong foundation makes all the difference. Music theory can change the way you write/play music. It opens up your mind to all the different possibilities and options you have. Music theory is also universal, most musicians should know it. It will make things easier to explain. For example, telling someone to play a C major chord is easier than telling them where to put each finger.
Improve your rhythm.
Mastering your sense of rhythm can elevate your playing skills. Keeping time is very important whether you’re playing with other people, or playing by yourself. Having bad rhythm will make the piece of music sound bad even if you are playing the right notes. You don't have to be metronomic, but as long as you can keep a tempo without speeding up or slowing down that's OK.
Play with other people.
The more practice time you get, the better you’ll be. Playing with other people will force you to stay on time. It will also give you experience and make you more confident in your abilities. And above all playing with other people is a lot more fun then playing by yourself. Joining a band will also be very beneficial.
Learn multiple instruments.
This will help broaden your horizons and musical understanding. If a guitar player was to start playing bass guitar, the guitarist would then start to realize the role of bass guitar. So the next time the guitarist has to write a bassline, the guitarist will have a better understanding of how to write a more effective one.
Play in front of others.
Performing for an audience is the best way to test your skills. Performing requires you to know the music that you are playing inside out in the event that something goes wrong. Most performances require you to memorize your pieces. Having a good memory will benefit you because you always know what to play. It will also allow you to have more confidence in your talents and music. EXPERT TIP Warren Lee Warren Lee Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator Warren Lee is a Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator based in Hong Kong. Lee is a concert pianist of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and is on both the Steinway Artist and Naxos Recording Artist rosters. Lee was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2015. In 2017, he received the Ian Mininberg Distinguished Alumni Award from Yale University. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music from the Royal Academy of Music and a Master's degree in Music from Yale University. Lee also holds an MBA degree from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and an LLM degree in Intellectual Property Law from the University of London. Warren Lee Warren Lee Professional Pianist, Composer, and Music Educator Musicians must connect with audiences in addition to building their skills. For musicians, people skills matter as much as talent. Making real connections with audiences is huge. Like the quote says, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care". Focusing on relationships brings music to life.
Express yourself.
Allow yourself to innovate and break the rules . It's one thing to learn the notes and rhythm, but it's another to express the music. This is probably the hardest thing to do, because expression is different for everyone. Try picking a slow song; they tend to have a lot of hidden meaning within the notes. After you get used to slow songs, try faster ones; they're a little harder because you need good speed, timing, and accurate articulation. But remember, too much expression will make you sound a little corny.
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