Teach Me Stairway to Heaven
I love playing the guitar. There's a video of me from 18 years ago—trust me, it gets entertaining about a minute in. It's always been an excellent release for me. If you ever catch me giving guitar lessons, something's up; it means I either really need the money or I'm really fond of the student.
While I cherish teaching in general, teaching guitar comes with its quirks. Most students want to leapfrog steps 2-7, dart past step 9, and land triumphantly at step 10. But that's not how it works. Each step builds on the skills of the previous one, revealing lessons that can’t be skipped. Case in point: “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin—it's practically the anthem for guitar learners. I'd have students rush into lesson two, already eager to play it.
Before diving into such challenges, you need to master the basics: string names, fretboard notes, chords, and parts of the guitar. Many would say, “Sure, I get that, but teach me Stairway.” As a beginner, it's genuinely challenging. It even hurts; your fingers get little dents, pressing down so hard. This pain is the litmus test of your commitment. When I mention trimming fingernails for female students, I see who's truly serious.
So, how does this mirror podcasting?
The question on everyone's lips is, “How do I grow my audience?”—essentially the podcasting equivalent of “teach me Stairway.” I've learned that many launch their shows without feedback or verification of whether the name is already in use. They select the wrong software or hardware, in their rush to chase “the big audience.” The urge is strong, I get it, but shortcuts don't exist. I'm skilled on the guitar because for years, I practiced diligently, four hours a day, mastering every musical genre. This wasn't just physical practice; it was about becoming comfortable with discomfort, reducing fears one note at a time.
It's crucial to transition from learning to doing. Many aspiring podcasters get stuck in perpetual planning, overwhelmed by the expanding to-do list—now steps 1-6, whereas initial focus should be on steps 1-3. It's vital to take that leap, even if it’s imperfect. Move beyond consuming content and start creating.
Over time, as I practiced, my fingers developed calluses, and guitar playing grew more natural. Chords transformed into muscle memory, enabling seamless transitions. But nobody starts there. Begin doing—start the journey.
