If you feel that you have been stuck on a plateau and aren't improving at the rate you desire, welcome to the club, you are not alone. Many musicians, regardless of their level of ability, feel this way. Most of us are too close to our work to be completely objective,  and we all too often fail to see the incremental growth that takes place slowly over a long period of time. If you can recognize your limitations and have the desire to improve, you are already on the right path to advancing your skills. Here are some of the concepts and strategies that I have found to be key drivers for self-improvement.

1. Play music often with other musicians. Whether it be in a nightclub, basement, or living room, performing songs and improvising with other musicians on a regular basis is essential for growth and development.

2. Record yourself and analyze your performances. Purchase a handheld zoom-style digital recorder, record your band shows and rehearsals, and then analyze your performances being as objective as you can. If you don't play with a band, record yourself practicing and playing alone. Listen for your weaknesses and work towards improving them. Listen for your strengths, and build on them.

3. Learn how to make a good recording. Explore the art of home-based computer recording. Record with a click track and/or drum loops. Work towards composing, arranging, producing, and engineering your own original music as well as the music of others. The experience and knowledge you will gain through learning this process will greatly improve your overall musicianship.

4. Develop your vocal abilities. Regardless of your primary instrument, whether it be guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, etc., learning to sing, both lead and harmony, will teach you melodic structures, phrasings, and help you to develop a greater overall sense of harmony, rhythm,  and song structure. This will directly and indirectly improve your “ear” and your overall musicality.

5. Know the math. Knowing some music theory can greatly enhance your musicianship and improve your ability to communicate musical ideas with other musicians. Many great musicians develop their ear and abilities over a long period of time through trial and error. Learning the basics of diatonic harmony and rhythmic structures can help speed up that process. There are many sources of this information available on the Internet, in books, and from competent instructors.

6. Use space. As once was said by Miles Davis “space has its own vibe”. Listen for the spaces between the notes. For it is those spaces that give the notes meaning and perspective. Learn to strip away unnecessary notes to arrive at the essence of a piece of music.   

7. Practice hard but practice smart. Gaining mastery over your instrument takes hard work, but you need to have specific and realistic goals and carefully delegate your time. Assess your strengths and weaknesses, and develop a practice routine specific to your situation. Learn how to make efficient use of the practice time that you do have. Everyone is different, you'll have to figure out what works for you. 

8. Listen to new sounds. Expand your musical palette by listening to new styles, composers, and artists on a regular basis. “New” can be old. Any serious student of music, should be a student of all music. Familiarize yourself with American roots music and other types of world music. The last 100 years have been a remarkable period in music history, learn from the masters.

9. Learn from those around you. Much can be learned from our peers. If you see a great performer or band, soak in the performance. Maybe try to talk to the performer/performers on their break or after the show to gain insight and perspective. If you see a mediocre band or a weak performance, take mental notes of what not to do.

10. Pull inspiration from unlikely places. The inspiration we need to make great music can come from a great band, musician, or song, but it can also come from nonmusical sources. A friend, lover, sunset, newborn child, war, poverty; use the backdrop of life to fuel your passion and purpose.

11. Have a balance. Don't be lopsided. Work hard at your craft, but work even harder at life. Having a good balance between your music and the other aspects of your life will help insure that your performances will always have depth and meaning.

12. Enjoy the ride. Being a musician is all about the journey, not the end result. If you are always waiting for the next step, you will always be waiting. If you can learn to live and play in the moment, your musical experiences will be more rewarding and your life will be more enjoyable. Play each note as if it were the last note you'll ever play. Live each day as if it was your last day on earth. Life is not a dress rehearsal, so make it count!