The Ultimate Lead Guitar
Lightbulb Moment
(Part 1 of 3)...
“I feel like there are gifted and talented musicians

And then there's me...

I’m just some guy “messing around” on the guitar.” 

John leaned back in his chair, frustrated with his progress. 

He’d just walked in to my guitar school for his first evaluation lesson.

And we were chatting to determine if he was the right fit.

As he told me his story, I listened...
“I’ve tried YouTube, books, online courses,  and even a few private lessons when I was younger. But I never really progressed. 

Then life got in the way. And I’ve played on and off ever since.”
A week earlier, he’d seen his favorite band in concert. 

He said his date couldn’t take her eyes off the guitar player… and went on and on about how “sexy” he was

John felt invisible.

He was fuming.
He decided right then and there
he was going to get serious
about guitar
He decided right then and there he was going to get serious about guitar
After all, it was something he’d always wanted to do.

When a friend at work (which happened to be one of my students) suggested that John talk to me, he called immediately.

So there we were in my studio.

“So what do you want to be able to do on guitar, John?” I asked.

“Well, I’m probably just dreaming here…

But it would be AMAZING to be able to play lead guitar up and down the neck

To be able to improvise and jam with other people… 
I just want the freedom to be able to pick up the guitar and just “flow”... without feeling limited, you know?”
“And what’s stopping you from doing that now?” I asked.

John sank in his chair.

“I just don’t know how to get there

Or if it’s even possible for me.

I just don’t know how to get out of this rut I’m in. 

When I finally get time to sit down to practice, I just end up spinning my wheels...

I can play a few chords, and a few bits and pieces of songs but…
"I get sick of playing the
same stuff over and over" 
And I just feel so… “boxed in” on the neck.

And when it comes to scales and theory… it’s just so overwhelming!

I can’t for the life of me figure out how to connect it all together in my mind!

I end up sounding “mechanical”… or I keep hitting the wrong notes and it drives me crazy!

I mean, I have a good work ethic and I’m willing to learn… but I…”

He paused, realizing what he was about to reveal…
“I’m just afraid it’s all going to “zoom over my head”. And sometimes I wonder if I’m too "dense" to grasp it.”  
He looked at the floor. 

“John” I said…

“I know how you feel.”

“You DO?!” he blurted.

“Yes I do. Because I’ve been where you are.

In fact, most of the successful guitar players I’ve taught have faced the same frustrations you’re going through right now.

The good news is...

In the same way you sneeze and cough when you have a cold…
Your challenges are just symptoms of an underlying problem 
And when you cure that problem, the symptoms disappear.

Would you like to know what the real problem is?”

“Well yeah absolutely!” John said with a glimmer of hope in his voice.

“Well…” 

I paused, wondering whether I should explain further.

“Let me just say this...

If you think the guitar is a “musical instrument”…

There’s your hint for now. 

Before we go any deeper though, the first thing we need to do is a test.
"After 22 years, I’ve found there’s ONE trait you have to have if you ever hope to
be good at playing lead guitar"
And it can’t be taught.

If you DO have it, the rest is easy.

But if not, well… 

You might want to just stick with playing basic chords.

AND before you ask” I said…
“It’s not natural talent or a “musical gift”. It’s not a good ear. And it has nothing to do with your fingers, the way your brain is wired, or reading music.”
Baffled… he stared at me blankly. 

Then his face slowly melted into fear… 

Wondering… hoping… that whatever it was… 

Maybe… just maybe… he had it.

“Would you like to take the test?
© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar, LLC | All Rights Reserved
Contact | Home | About | Privacy | Terms Of Service
429 Greensprings Hwy Ste 161 #421 Birmingham, AL 35205 | Support@breakthroughguitar.com