Hi guys, I’m a 26f and I’ve been playing music “for real” since the beginning of 2022. I’ve always had an interest in music and have always sang but 2022 is when I picked up the guitar.
Fast forward to now and I’ve manage to scrap up a band and have played live shows/play and performed original music. I even have a studio in my home. I’m an English major and I’m great at lyrics and my mouth organ is my original instrument. Music theory is not how I think about music. I know the basics to get by but im really just searching my instrument for the sounds I wanna make.
And I’m feeling really behind compared to my peers in a lot of ways. Singing and playing an instrument is something I’m always working on. I play bass for my band so I can get away with just having to play a few notes so it’s not as hard but I want to do more now.
I have a music mentor but he’s a drumming instructor. I went to him because I wanted to understand rhythm more and learn about the instrument/learn about song structure but we just kinda cover different topics sporadically with no structure. I still struggle with keeping time. (I just need to break up with him lol but I really enjoy him)
I’m feeling a bit stuck because I want to get my chops. I want to put in the time in. But I don’t want to go to school (no money for that lol). I could get a better instructor but I’m also pretty smart and have taught myself a lot in the last 2 years. I always just pick something like learning a song or a new concept then just end up writing my own stuff. Do you guys have any suggestions on how I can start honing in on my struggle points? And programs you’d suggest?
Thanks for reading if you made it this far!
I'd say keep going with the band and seek out a different teacher. Playing with people,working on original art, is really a benefit. And if you have an opportunity to play more challenging stuff, take it. Push it forward, try to be playing on the outer edge of your capacity rather than comfortable always.