Learn your instrument

Ok, so as a musician, I've heard in many different ways, from many different places, learn your instrument. I have think more often than not , the person saying it is speaking about learning the fretboard. Or if they were talking about drums, learning how strike location on a drum skin makes a difference.

When I say learn your instrument, I mean you should learn what every component is and what it does. For example, on a bass guitar knowing what the nut is, and it's function. Not only it's function, but the difference in function between a normal fretted bass and a zero fretted bass. You should know what a bridge and saddles are, truss rod, etc.

Knowing these parts may not necessarily be for the purpose of becoming a luthier or technician, even though there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But what is the point in being a killer musician if you get completely thrown out of whack, if a part fails? That's just like going your entire life driving and never learning how to pump gas, or change a flat tire.

Don't get me wrong, as a tech I welcome the business for someone wanting a repair on their instrument, as I'm sure most techs do. However, in my experience, I've seen many repairs that shouldn't have been repairs. Very simple things, like wondering why your bass is playing with such low volume, not realizing the bass has an active/passive switch. You should know that when your bass is passive, that the EQ is not engaged.

I encourage every musician, on every instrument... Take time to learn your instrument. Do whatever you have to do to learn about all of its capabilities, as well as it's shortcomings. You will save yourself a lot of time and heartache. When you know the parts of your instrument, it's much easier to communicate with the repair tech about exactly what the problem is. Beyond that, that is the very best way to get the most out of any instrument, and really learn how to find YOUR sound.

Peace everybody,

Justin