Transitioning From being a Bedroom Guitarist Into being a Musician by Eliane Delage

I started learning the guitar at 10 years old. The love for music had always been there, the safe feeling of being immersed in sound and melody. The warmth of songs, the different turns emotions would take on a path paved by chords and harmony. In playing the guitar I found the key to enter the mysterious world of music. My own private Universe. The songs I was able to play at first unlocked doors to enter a new adventure. The first chord I learned on the guitar (it must have been a D or an A because I played a lot of songs with those…) held the power of opening the gates of that universe, creativity.

I felt tremendously empowered in playing entire songs, extremely simple at first, but nonetheless precious pieces of this beautiful puzzle, musicianship.

I spent hours in my bedroom practicing chords, trying new songs, treasuring my new found fortune, improving and polishing my skills, it was a fantastic journey to the most amazing places, but still… all in the bedroom. I was an incredible bedroom guitarist. And, that was fulfilling in itself but trouble is, it didn't make it "real".
Being a musician and playing music can really only exist if an exchange occurs, as simple as having 1 person playing and 1 person listening. Dogs are wonderful listeners but they don't make it "real",  sorry. The magic happens when the connection is made from one human being to another, validation.

A rush of reality felt true when at 11 y/o I braved up and would go play with a friend at mass every Sunday. Then, came recitals, local contests, High School performances, bands, studio recordings, radio contests, local gigs! Any outlet I could possibly find to play my guitar in front of people! It was true, it was real now. reality!

When teaching, my goal is to show students new chords, strumming patterns, lead technique, etc. But it is also to share the feeling of empowerment acquired by playing the guitar. A feeling that will be theirs and theirs only. The key to their world of music, where all is great all the time. A token to freedom.
Transitioning from being a bedroom guitarist into a musician is a scary but freeing process. Here are a few things you could look into:

• Playing the guitar at a friend's party!

• Joining a Group Jam Session! (Happy Hour Guitar http://nycguitarschool.com/intclasses/happyhour.shtml)

• Going to an Open Mic !(http://www.meetup.com/nyc-guitar-school-open-mic/)

• Joining a Band Class! (http://nycguitarschool.com/advclasses/adultrockband.shtml) 

• Forming your own band!

Whichever choice is right for you, I wish you the best of luck! Go on, get out of the bedroom!

Eliane :-)