Listen, Imitate, and Own

This is a basic formula for acquiring new skills. Listen, imitate, and own. As younger musicians, we do this almost automatically. We pick up on what we like, we try to do it ourselves, and then we try to make something new out of it. As we mature, we find these simples things more difficult in spite of the fact that they're the most basic things we NEED to do to keep growing and improving.

Listen - Open yourself to what you're hearing. Like it. Don't like it. Allow yourself to be moved by what other people play. Music conveys emotion. Feel what the music you're "hearing" says to you. Let it in, whether you like it or not. Listen to the music. Don't just hear it. Listen to it.

Imitate - Try to reproduce what you like. When the music you're listening to makes you feel good, pay attention. If you're really listening, that part is easy. Try to imitate it. It doesn't matter what you get "right" or what you don't. Pick up your guitar and try to do what you're listening to. Do it slowly enough to capture the essence, but try to imitate all that you're listening to - the notes, the rhythm, the articulation, the dynamics. Imitate all of it.

Own - This assumes that you've done the first two things. Listen to what you're hearing. Imitate it as accurately as you can. Then you need to try to do something with that. Play it in different keys. Try different fingerings. Write your own melody that captures something of what you've Listened to and Imitated. Use a phrase when you're improvising. Own the music.

Do this and you're on the fast path to being a better musician.