This list goes for any instrument including your guitar! We believe that fitting as much music into our lives as we can adds a lot of personal enjoyment to our years. Playing music is an activity you can do either as you are lazily zoning out or as you’re really focused. Taking your instrument to new places can offer some fresh creative ideas. In contrast, playing in the space you are most comfortable in can encourage new expression. The point is, play your instrument as much as possible, wherever possible!!! Here are some of the best times and places to jam you may have not thought of!

1. In Front of the TV

We are guilty as most people of loving to indulge in hours of the content available on countless streaming services. Playing in front of the TV works best with an unplugged electric guitar, especially if you are in the company of someone else. You can also practice acoustic guitar and focus on your ability to play lightly and quietly as you take in the show at the same time. Either way, this is an easy and mindless way to get in hours of practice on top of your focused practice!

2. When with Family and Friends

Maybe get prepared with some cover songs everyone might know, bring your instrument to your family get-together, and maybe some extra percussion instruments too. Everyone might find out they are more musical than they thought! This can lead to extreme fun spent with good company!

3. By a Body of Water

Something about sitting by water gets the mind working, thoughts flowing, and usually promotes feelings of calm on a nice day. This can be reflected in your playing and may lead to fresh ideas, new understandings, and general enjoyment. The beach, a lake, or a stream are all perfect choices if you are looking to find inspiration!

4. As Soon as You Wake Up

Practicing as soon as you wake up can be a motivating way to set the tone for the rest of your day. You may end up practicing a couple more times or writing a song. Learning something new in the morning can make you want to accomplish more throughout the day!

5. In the Woods

This one can be accompanied by a body of water for great results. The woods are usually a very peaceful place and being surrounded by nature can feel very calming. If you spend a few hours in deep woods, you begin to forget about everything else and this may help you approach your music with a different mindset than if you are at home surrounded by technology and distractions.

6. In Public

If you live in a suburb or city, during the warm parts of the year there is a large audience to be heard by if you are willing to busk and play in busy places. This is an awesome way to practice and get out of your shell as an artist. This can also help you be heard, become known, and can increase your confidence as a performer.

7. On Stage

Once you feel confident enough, there is nothing quite like playing your first few shows! The perfect place to start is an open mic as they happen often, many local musicians go to them, and they will help your confidence in performing in front of a crowd. No matter what type of music you play, this is a lot of fun and feels great to do.

8. When with Other Musicians

We talk in our other blog posts about how playing with other musicians absolutely helps you improve as a musician and it is so true. It can also be a ton of fun and often both musicians will end up playing things they have not played before; in ways, they haven’t played before. It is an ideal opportunity for growth as a musician.

9. When Music is Playing

Try to figure out what key signature different songs are in and try mimicking the chords, rhythm, or notes. This will help train your ear and is a fun way to practice. If you have a playlist on, try playing along with each song. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it is actually even better when done loosely so you can try new things and grow your playing abilities!

10. Around the Young Ones in Your Family

Have children? Nephews or Nieces? Younger Siblings? Play your instrument around them!! Children have a lot of fun hearing live music and it can become a very communal activity that they enjoy. Get them started enjoying music early! They may not know the songs you are playing but it will certainly be memorable for them if they haven’t heard much live music before.