Personal Developement

2016 in Review: An Honest and Transparent Look at My Successes & Failures This Past Year

A few days ago, I was contacted by Matt Oestreicher for a podcast interview on The Mindful Musician. Our talk started with Matt mentioning how much he loved my 2015 in review post from last year.

Knowing that this resonated with him made me realize I should do it again, so here is my 2016 review.

I will give it to you straight, and say where I did well, and where I think could have been better.
[Read more…] about 2016 in Review: An Honest and Transparent Look at My Successes & Failures This Past Year

Practicing Guitar and The Illusion of Perfection

By Adam Rafferty 3 Comments

I have a lot of students uploading videos to me on StudyWithAdam.com, and often they’ll send a note along with their video upload:

“Adam, I could not play this without making mistakes, but here is the best I could do….”

First off…I’ll admit it…I am as guilty as you are 🙂

How to Beat the Devil With Your Guitar

By Adam Rafferty 29 Comments

Adam Rafferty - How to Beat the Devil With Your Guitar
(Warning – I use some shocking language in this post. Don’t worry I won’t use it at the dinner table or in front of your kids.)

I have story that have wanted to share with you for a while. It’s about “beating the Devil” with your guitar.

As with many life lessons, I recently had to “re-certify” that I learned this lesson.
[Read more…] about How to Beat the Devil With Your Guitar

Saying No to Distraction and Yes to Yourself

By Adam Rafferty 8 Comments

Saying no to distraction and YES to yourself - Adam Rafferty
Greetings, and I hope you are doing fabulously!

This year has been full of rich, satisfying “real life” stuff like touring, family,
moving, teaching my “Study With Adam” online guitar students, and recording.

Transparency Report and Major Goal Achieved

In January 2016 I offered you a “transparency report” and I mentioned one of my goals for 2016 was to record a new CD.
[Read more…] about Saying No to Distraction and Yes to Yourself

How to Let Go of Guitar Ego

By Adam Rafferty 17 Comments

How to Let Go of Guitar Ego - Adam Rafferty Just the other day in the studio, long standing musical problems resolved themselves as if by magic.

I am hoping that you can use this idea for yourself when you find yourself up against the wall, with “unsolvable” problems on the guitar, music and life. 🙂
[Read more…] about How to Let Go of Guitar Ego