Taking the Right  Steps

Here are the steps you can complete to start gaining control of your thoughts and beliefs and begin on the wonderful path to enjoyment and proficiency in music.

Step 1:    List your belief or thought that you find stressful or judgmental.

Such as, I can not play enough to be a good musician.  Really think how you feel when you consider doing something. What ever it is that makes you anxious or upset or wants to make you find something else to do.

Step 2:  Ask the Question: Is it true? 

Answer as honestly as possible. Yes or no. do no qualify it, don’t tell a story. Is it true, yes or no?

Step 3:  Ask the Question: Can you absolutely know it is true? Yes or no?

It doesn’t matter if it is one or the other, but is it yes or no?

Step 4:    Ask the question:  Who would you be with out that thought?

Again answer as honestly as you can. Take your time, think about who you would be and imagine an picture in your mind as to who or what that would look like, feel like and sound like.

Step 5: Turn the belief around:  State it as I can always (play, sing, drum, live, breath, compose, etc) and make that thought a positive statement.

Imaging as vividly as possible what life would be like if you could literally not think this thought or belief anymore. How would your life be different?

Step 6: Ask: If this new thought is as true as or truer than the original one.

Really think about it.

REPEAT: Do it again for any thought that is stressful. One of the best ways to do this is have a friend or family member ask you the questions and keep you on track. They should not let you qualify an answer, but make you keep it straight forward.

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A Final Consideration

Although learning beliefs can be a big factor in your ability to move forward, having good learning resources can also influence your progress. Take some time to explore this site. The basic foundational knowledge on music theory is provided in easy to understand terms, but with a maturity level that allows you to absorb more.

The Getting It Down Cold Workbooks are a high value resource to allow you not only to learn the theory, but systematically oown it as well. Comparatively speaking the workbooks combine material that would be covered in several method books and over a year or more worth of lessons.

Challenge your learning beliefs and get valuable resources and you will be well on your way to propelling your music skills ahead.