Feeling the GAS Pangs? Will Another Purchase Really Help?
I stared out the window of my 8th-grade math class. The teacher's voice faded into the background.
All I could think of was getting home to my guitar and practicing in my bedroom until dinner was ready.
The bell rang. I raced to the bus. Busted through the front door. And there she was – like a faithful friend awaiting my return, my Squier Stratocaster sprawled across my bed.
Then came Super Bowl Sunday, 2001. There's Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry in his leather jacket, leather pants, and leather boots. And he's shredding on this white Gretsch Falcon guitar with gold hardware.
Meanwhile, I'm on my couch, clutching my Squier like it's a plastic toy from a cereal box.
A few weeks later, I'm putting on my best puppy eyes, trying to get Dad to Guitar Center, pitching him the sob story that my Squier’s basically the guitar equivalent of training wheels. He finally nods, but then gives me a budget that wouldn't even get me the Gretsch’s guitar strap.
I saunter into Guitar Center, eyes wide, heart racing. It's like I've died and gone to Willy Wonka's for musicians. Gretsch? Check. Gibson? Check. Fender? Hell yeah.
I actually end up walking out hugging this gorgeous black cherry Schecter. It even smells cool.
And that, my friends, was the start of my unhealthy obsession:
GAS
And no, I’m not talking about the kind after a bean burrito binge.
GAS stands for gear acquisition syndrome, and I've still got it. Back in 8th grade, I drooled over guitars. Today it's video equipment, a glow-in-the-dark keyboard, and fancy plugins.
But no matter the gear, the trap remains the same: thinking this new toy is the shortcut to mastery. It's like expecting new sneakers to automatically make you an Olympic athlete.
GAS is a sneaky way of procrastinating the real work: practicing every day, leaning into challenging exercises and material, powering through even when you don't feel like it.
You can't buy time spent in the shed at Guitar Center. Not even on Amazon.
All that said, if you've got money to spend and want to splurge on something, consider investing in your brain. Books, courses, lessons – the works. Sure, reading doesn't replace doing, but it sure as heck guides the doing.
And speaking of guidance, I've got two courses that'll walk you through step-by-step how to make real improvements in your playing.
If you're struggling with improvising solos and feel like you're just aimlessly noodling through chord changes, check out The Soloing System.
If you're tired of playing the same old boring chords and progressions on the keys and want to get that soulful, jazzy sound you've been after, check out Chord Theory for R&B Piano.
Whichever path you choose, just remember to put in the work. Practice hard. Practice smart. And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out along the way.
Happy shedding,
Jeff