Jack Of All Trades. Master Of Some

This article is about me and anybody else that fits the bill. I’m also not going to start it like most articles either. Heck, nowadays everybody wants everything quick and straight to the point. So here’s the point: How can you be good at something if you do 100 different things?

Well, logically, if you practice guitar 10 hours a day, the result is you’ll be that much better. But in reality, while this is as true as it gets, most of us will not do it. Some of us don’t have the time or motivation, or like me, you do 100 other things. Let me go into a bit more detail:

I work 8 hours a day as a Graphic Designer, I dedicate some time to play drums, I practice guitar everyday and I’m currently getting deep into recording music in my home studio. That means I’m learning to use an array of software and hardware, and the art of mixing while I juggle my other endeavors. Add to that the time spent rehearsing and playing live. On top of that, in my “free time” I mountain & road bike, surf, kiteboard, and tend to a wife and a kid. Every-so-often I teach a guitar lesson or two and post some on my site. If I keep going into all the little details, the list would be too long to read.

A few months ago I had a friend point out “Dude, you have to decide what is it that your are going to do, or else you’re not going to accomplish anything.” I have to admit that statement hit me right in the gut. It got me thinking that maybe my buddy was right. Maybe I needed to scrap half the filler and stick to one thing. I know, for some of you out there, this applies as well.

I went about my business and kept doing things as usual. Now, about 6 months later, I have an answer to that problem. “I’m a Jack of All Trades, Master of Some!” How come? Well, I’ve realized that even though I do 100 things at once, I still dedicate enough time to each and I’ve been able to get really good at some.

What I’m trying to say here (and I already see the long list of bashing comments) is this: If you can stay put and dedicate yourself completely to your guitar, great! Otherwise, make sure you at least set some time apart for it. Don’t let the million other “priorities” get in the way. In my case, for example, I need to do many things at once. It’s what keeps me motivated. And that drive and motivation reflects on my guitar practice and teaching time. I now truly believe that if I weren’t like this, I would actually lack the motivation to get any better. That’s just me.

So while I may not get to the point of being like Vai, I know what works or me. So if it works for you, just do it. Don’t let anyone put a hold on you for the way you do things. In the long run it’s the results that matter. So if you want to be a “Jack of all trades”, so be it! For all I know, I’m going to continue being a master of some!

2007 © Danny Cruz www.sixstringsensei.com

Comments

[dwnbowden]

Ummm useful I suppose...

1st?

[blackcatz]

Very to-the-point and unique. It seems your message is, "There is no one right way to play guitar." I like it.

[dgme92]

That is quite an interesting point you've got there. And it makes perfect sense. I give this 10/10, because it's unique and well written, and makes a good point.

[pete-c]

Simple stuff, but well written :]

dwnbowden wrote:
1st?

Who cares?

[mdawg24]

4th-ish!!!!
Good lesson by the way

[dann_blood]

Good article. It can be interpreted in different ways by different people.

[FreeManson15]

sounds sort of like me, I play guitar, bass, drums, harmonica, keyboard. I'm not particulary good at the latter 3.

[jamis8891]

nice article. i wish i had your problem, i have so much to do that i dont even have as much time as i'd like to practice guitar

[stradivari310]

I have your problem in a huge way, and I definitely know what you mean. Only now have I been able to juggle my life successfully.

[cusic]

I don't really see the whole point of this article other than you have a busy life and like it...

[pos69sum]

Vague.

The topic seems to be something like 'You really should focus on one thing but if you don't feel like focusing on one thing then whatever floats your boat'.

[mdsmith1]

1st!!!!! lololololoolololololol

[charliec364]

well i personally find that playing other instruments helps me with guitar, and experincing life helps me with songwriting, so it all kind of works together in the end. Besides most of the best guitarists were not strictly guitarists. Jimi Sang as well, Paige did a lot of producing work etc.....

[Jack_Sibelius]

This is great. Three Words needed.

PS: People need to learn how to write Jimmy PAGE!

[ezD]

Well, its kinda crazy how much this article applies to me, never really thought of it that way.

[dannycruz]

Thanks for all the positive comments. -D

[G0ply]

Do what you like, Like what you do... Doing one thing can become boring, life is about enjoyment, if you like many things and you are happy doing them then it's all good right, Life is more about enjoyment then accomplishment, and if you would like a Jack of all trades Master of All example it would be Leonardo Divinchi, that man could draw, scupult, machine work, and many many other things... Advice is nice, but you don't always have to go by it, just think about it and consider... Peace

[KKarasu]

well i thought bout it too.
and i think you are right.
I also am kind of jack of all trades, but truly master of none, although i am better than average.

[bucketbots]

nice

[dannycruz]

I'm planning on writing another piece very soon. Feel free to make any suggestions... Gear talk, lessons, lifestyle, stories, whatever. -D

[robinmitra1]

some useful suggestions
im really like you,i play guitar,i do 3d animations and graphics designs,i do programming and web designs,i study in college,i work out,.....the list is long and its hard for me to manage everything and be best in every field.i try so hard balancing everything that sometimes its frustrating.but then,u gotta enjoy wat ya do in order to better urself.
i used to get similar comments from my mates to focus on one thing.but i never listened and im pretty much happy with myself,bcuz its not about doing many things at once,its about doing watever u do to completion.one shud spend time and effort on watever they do and no matter how many things they do, they will be better each day....

[Stampede]

wow. sounds a bit like.. myself.
even the graphic designer part, i'm one as well.
minus the wife and the kid, but i do have a gf tho.

Theres just not enough hours in the day!

[dannycruz]

Stampede wrote:

Theres just not enough hours in the day!

Hehe! Definitely not enough hours in the day! -D

[Moonman13]

Im like you and really like this article.

[hypernova]

the story of my life...

blackcatz :
Very to-the-point and unique. It seems your message is, "There is no one right way to play guitar." I like it.

Have you read Ishmael or is it just a coincidence?

[nosaj89]

about 10 years ago I stopped playing guitar and taught my self how to scratch/dj I came back to guitar, and found that I was alot better. but on the other hand I sometimes wish I had played guitar the whole time. oh well.

[rik231]

nice site plug, shame its p***

[Pertenozzo]

Well this is the situation I'm at right now. =/

I'm getting a CDL License to operate a Trailer. Because I've seen that a lot of people that drive trailers make a LOT of cash.

Also I'm studying Journalism and Mechanical Engineering. I really want to be the american Jeremy Clarkson. Have a TV show and test cars, because automotive is one of my passions. So I play some gigs, around 3 in a month....But I still love it. I really don't know what to incline for.
But thanks for your message, you really got me thinking.

[jamie[wls]]

nice article, i like it

[hellbound_jonny]

Personally, I can't stand being a 'Jack-of-all-trades' and the thought of them, mainly because you're not specialised and therefore any use.

[mr barnicals]

hellbound_jonny wrote:

Personally, I can't stand being a 'Jack-of-all-trades' and the thought of them, mainly because you're not specialised and therefore any use.

well, thats one way of looking at it. but ebing the jack of all trades also means that if you want to specialize in something, you already have the tools to get yourself started. good article too

[hellbound_jonny]

mr barnicals wrote:

well, thats one way of looking at it. but ebing the jack of all trades also means that if you want to specialize in something, you already have the tools to get yourself started. good article too

True, I guess my dislike of Jack-of-All-Trades stems from the fact I used to be one, and have know grown up to be exactley what I want; forcing me to look back and see that period as a waste of time.

[ticklemeemo]

I felt the same way. So now I am a Jack-Of-Few-Trades. I'm still only ok at some stuff (drums, keys) but my guitar and bass playing have gotten a whole lot better.

[orgasmickey]

yeah nice. I'm the same way. Exactly. Except for the wife and kids..

[Izmeister]

I'm the same, I play guitar and piano, I sing, I wakeboard, kneeboard, tube and ski, and I'm in every AP class possible, IT'S INSANE!

[BFMV fan]

Izmeister wrote:

I'm the same, I play guitar and piano, I sing, I wakeboard, kneeboard, tube and ski, and I'm in every AP class possible, IT'S INSANE!

i have a schedule sort of like yours but just with other activities

[Auals]

I'm the same as this, I have to be doing a million things at once, otherwise I get bored.

Cheers man, i need some motivation at the moment and this helped me realise where mines' coing from

[Auals]

Izmeister wrote:

I'm the same, I play guitar and piano, I sing, I wakeboard, kneeboard, tube and ski, and I'm in every AP class possible, IT'S INSANE!

as I said before, that's what I mean, I play guitar, piano, drums, bass, and sing, I record everything myself at home, so I have to learn how to do that slightly well. It all just catches up with you... plus I teach guitar

[SlapMeWithBacon]

I know what you guys mean, I don't have enough time to get anywhere near as good as I'd like to be on guitar hero. =P

[Dudemonkguy]

i play guitar, go to school, and work. during football season i play french horn in the marching band which exremely time consuming.

[EllttEll]

its good to know alot of instruments, that way you will always have a job as a musician

[RedMoonMan]

i was hoping this was a jack white column since there was a thread like this the one day.

[drumpat]

Full ack

[sk8kid49]

Awesome article
really makes a lot of sense
all power to ya dude

[circus musician]

i guess you don't need to be great at lots of things. i like to play bass and guitar and if i want to do something else i will. its good to do something well and enjoy it and enjoy lots of other things as well. i think dedication is important and not being too fickle and keeping with things even if they are difficult. nobody should judge you but you, if you're doing what you want and staying good at what you really care about. or something like that.

[Muckle]

Very cool mate i can totally agree!

[felix28]

dude i kno! i feel like that sometimes. good insight.

[clever_nickname]

/rant

[dirtydog69_420]

cool

[fagelamusgtr]

Thanks bro, i kinda needed that. I've been the same lately.