sup_bros

Hey Justin! I love your site and all that jazz. You seem like a cool guy too.

I've been playing for about 10 months, and I think I'm decent for how recently I started. However, I still don't feel like a real musician. I feel like a technician, if you know what I mean. I can learn a song and play it back perfectly. I can even figure some stuff out by ear now (thanks to your stress on the importance of ear-training), but I still don't have the feel that a real musician has. I can't express myself as I want.

I think what makes a real musician is the ability to just play anything that comes into your head, and not bother with scales, licks, etc... Just play from the heart.

Can this be learned over time, or do you think it's something that is either in someone or not? When did you notice for the first time that you were not just a "technician" anymore, but rather a true musician?

Thanks for the advice, man. I do take time and jam with friends, that really does help. I agree that playing in a setting where you're forced to get better will really do wonders for your playing. It's also nice to know that you do get that "musical" feeling eventually!