Information vs Inspiration and Improvisation

Students have asked me in the past. How do you learn to improvise? How do you learn to play in your own style and have your own musical voice?

Having talent is an obvious one. Plus learning how to harness that talent and put that across in your music.

So, about the creative process...How much of what you play is pure inspiration? Or is inspiration just previously learned information, forgotten and played in your style?

The answer is usually a bit of both!

Improvisation is previously learned information and things that you have played that have inspired you in the past that comes out in your way or style after many hours of practice and woodshedding.

So, the answer to finding your own musical voice is practice other guitarists' music, (the stuff that you love and aspire to) forget it and practice more, stay inspired, practice some other material, maybe a slightly different style that you also love. And gradually, over time your personal style will start to come through and show in your playing. Its like an unconscious, magical learned force. And its a lot of fun when you start realising your personal style and people start to notice this.

Please drop me a message if you have anything to ask on this.

Happy practicing!