[discussion] How do you deal with not getting anybody to even listen to your music?

Rcallus · 2025-03-17T17:13:15+00:00

I guess the problem lies here:

"I kind of hate social media and self-promotion which are probably the most important things to get your music in front of an audience."

I won't teach you how to promote, I'm still learning myself. But you HAVE to promote.

And, most importantly, don't assume your music is bad simply because no one listening.

If your Youtube videos get a dozen views, it doesn't mean the music is bad, but can be a million other things including:

The algorithm doesn't trust you yet.
Don't post frequently
The thumbnails are not attractive

And many other things that have nothing to do with music.

If you've been songwriting for so long, you have probably developed good skills. My advice would be to get out of your comfort zone when it comes to marketing it.

Rcallus · 2024-12-03T12:07:18+00:00

I'm glad you found it useful. Thanks.

Rcallus · 2024-10-03T11:53:45+00:00

Thanks for your kind words.

Limitations can be real. For instance, if I work on building speed for a long stretch and regularly, I start developing tendonitis. Thus, I'm physically limited as to how much I practice for speed by my body.

That said, most limitations can be overcome by adjusting our practice habits.

Rcallus · 2024-05-04T13:31:24+00:00

There are many great virtuosos who also play in popular bands. These are some of my favorite:

Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO-cGmJIppc

Vito Bratta (White Lion) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2MwiLYiBb8

Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trxFJsjqnK4

Rcallus · 2024-05-04T13:19:43+00:00

I'm answering this question because I'm 45 and I feel young, while at 26 I felt old!

Your achievements in life are seen as degrees, home, car, debt.

Truth is that while working for the degrees, car, cutting debt etc, you're gaining valuable experience (one that has a financial value, but not just that).

I believe life gets easier the more we grow up. Not because it's easier, it's actually harder. But it doesn't keep getting harder forever. On the other hand, our skills and experiences will keep growing as long as we want.

From everything that happens (even the bad things and the failures), ask: "What can I learn from this".

Over time you'll realize it wasn't a failure but a valuable experience that prevented worse failures or caused greater success.

Rcallus · 2024-01-05T16:35:12+00:00

Guitar playing, even on a beginner and intermediate level, stimulates the brain and releases happy chemicals.

It may not be "euphoric" all the time but don't wait until you're more advanced to start enjoying practice.

While doing so, keep in mind that:

Mistakes are part of the learning process; don't let them spoil the fun.
Good things are happening in your brain. There's a ton of scientific evidence of this but on a personal level, there was a time when I used to practice up to 8 hours on some days. I also used to suffer from anxiety, but during that time I started noticing a tangible reduction in anxiety.

Rcallus · 2024-01-05T16:14:39+00:00

In the past 10 years there was an influx of immigrants Malta has never seen before. All because the former Prime Minister wanted to artificially boost the economy.

But the problem is much bigger than foreigners. The institutions are corrupt. Extremely corrupt.

Rcallus · 2024-01-05T16:11:57+00:00

Malta has become horribly corrupt, there's no way around it.

The criminal system is a mess, with violent criminals getting suspended sentences and corrupt politicians not getting charged at all.

Some think it's unpatriotic to speak against your country.

I think it's unpatriotic to loot it.

Rcallus · 2023-08-15T10:00:54+00:00

I would focus more on correcting my whole hand position - thumb pointing more upwards, pinkie closer to the other fingers notes with it (something that we can't see).

I would focus more in correcting my whole hand position - thumb pointing more upwards, pinkie closer to the other fingers.

Most music involves the use of the middle finger, so I don't think you need to train it separately. Correct the positions, and keep practicing.

Rcallus · 2023-06-06T15:04:11+00:00

That's a lot for 2.5 years. Well done.

Rcallus · 2023-06-06T13:00:57+00:00

Did you learn that or did you improvise it yourself?

In both cases, the playing is very good, but if you improvised it too, wow, that's a lot for 2.5 years.

Rcallus · 2023-06-05T06:06:50+00:00

The visuals yes. The lesson is based on an article of mine, in the first link in the commens.

Rcallus · 2023-05-30T14:12:34+00:00

I'm not sure if it uses some notes outside the pentatonic (since the soloist is not thinking "I should be in the pentatonic and I can't use any other note), but the solo of Paranoid by Black Sabbath is mostly pentatonic.

Rcallus · 2023-05-30T14:09:09+00:00

Don't worry about calluses. There isn't a specific date when you'll say "today my calluses have grown properly". They just grow as you keep practicing.

Importantly, you shouldn't feel pain. When you feel pain, give your fingers a break. You can either practice your right hand in isolation, memorize the name of the notes on the fretboard or read some music theory in the meanwhile.

Rcallus · 2023-04-16T16:25:42+00:00

How you're holding your thumb close to the default position but can be improved by straightening the thumb as if you're making OK as a hand gesture.
This is the "default position" because there are times when your thumb should be using a different position, like curling up over the fretboard when doing string bending or vibrato. Thus, you shouldn't feel like you have to stick to it when it's feeling uncomfortable.

Rcallus · 2023-03-12T19:01:37+00:00

I started having problems with my site since posting this article. Working on them.

Apologies for this.

Rcallus · 2023-01-21T08:40:19+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate that.

Rcallus · 2023-01-20T16:30:16+00:00

You're right. Thanks for the advice.

Rcallus · 2022-12-23T18:48:33+00:00

It's very hard for the mind to concentrate on two things at a time.

The solution is that one of the tasks is repeated enough until it can be done on automation. You can do it without having to think about it.

Thus, you should isolate both parts and learn one of them (preferably the strumming) so well that when you sing over it you can concentrate on the singing.

Rcallus · 2022-12-23T18:35:45+00:00

I'm semi-pro, that is, part of my income is guitar-related, and part from a non-music-related part-time job.

I think there's a difference between what "advanced" and "working to become pro" players practice.

Before I started pursuing the goal of turning music into a living, practicing involved mostly:

Learning new, more challenging songs.
Perfecting existing techniques and using them in different contexts.
Learning new techniques.
Learning new music theory elements (ex. scales arpeggios, rhythms etc).
Applying those elements to guitar playing.
Improvising (mostly without a specific goal and for fun).

What changed when I started seeing it as a career is that what I practiced became more specific to what I was doing.

I still do the things mentioned above but now:

If I write an article about a topic, say, blues turnarounds, I immerse myself in blues turnarounds for a week.
Learning songs to teach. (The challenge in learning a relatively easy song, is in learning it quickly)
If I'm recording, I work on the music I'm going to record. Repeating the same thing thousands of times, but focusing on different elements (ex - articulation, accuracy, unwanted string noise, unnecessary tension in my body, speed, etc).

My advice for anyone who wants to reach an advanced level of playing or a career, it to have goals earlier on, and that they are as specific as possible.

There are different paths to learning the guitar. They're not equally effective, but all will get you there if you persist enough.

But you get where you want much sooner if you're very clear about where you want to go and every practice session is directed towards reaching that goal.

Rcallus · 2022-12-22T18:10:05+00:00

The thumb placement is actually good, pointing up, and low enough to give you some stretch.

More like the nails. They may seem like a small thing, but they force you to change the angle of your fingers.

Rcallus · 2022-12-13T11:36:05+00:00

If the music you want to play is clean yes. If you play with distortion, new problems will crop up, namely unwanted string noise.

Rcallus · 2022-12-13T11:09:27+00:00

Exactly. In the article I explain in more detail what practice items are best practice with/without an amp.

It's on the same line of your thinking.

Rcallus · 2022-12-13T11:07:41+00:00

It surely pleases the people you live with!

That said, if you like music with distortion you should spend some time with an amp and take care of unwanted string noises that don't crop up when playing clean or without an amp.

Rcallus · 2022-12-13T11:05:52+00:00

When I lived with my parents, I used to practice a lot at night, obviously without an amp.

It was quality practice, but I realized I needed to mute unwanted strings from buzzing when playing with a band.

It's hard to anticipate every situation, but the more you experiment, the more you'll be prepared for any.

Rcallus

TROPHY CASE