PRESENCE - Volume 5
Inspiration For Guitarists
Welcome to my newsletter, Presence! My aim is simple: to share insights and techniques that have helped me grow as a musician, offering something valuable for players at every stage of their journey.
Learning by Doing: The Secret to Actually Improving
I was listening to writer Dan Koe recently, and he said something that hit me hard: If you want to truly learn a skill, you need a project to work on.
That idea resonated because it aligns perfectly with how I’ve learned just about everything—music, business, technology, and beyond.
When my old band, Green Light, was touring, we had to do everything ourselves. That meant I had to dive headfirst into web design, graphic design, recording, mixing, and a ton of other skills. If I had just learned these things in a classroom, passively taking notes, I doubt any of it would have stuck. But because I had real projects on the line—things that actually mattered—I absorbed those skills in a way that no textbook or tutorial ever could.
The same holds true for my current journey building an online business. I’m learning deeper levels of web design, video production, social media strategy, and more—not by watching endless YouTube tutorials, but by actually doing the work. Every project forces me to problem-solve, make mistakes, and really own what I’m learning.
How This Applies to Music
This idea of learning by doing has been just as crucial in my musical growth.
Whenever I’ve had to learn a song for a specific performance, it sticks—because I’m using it in a real-world scenario. But if I just dabble in a new concept without applying it, chances are I’ll forget it within a few days.
That’s why I now make a habit of composing something with every new concept I learn. Or I find a way to use it in a song I already play with one of my bands. That way, the concept becomes part of my musical DNA.
Your Challenge: Start a Project
I’ve been challenging my students lately to come up with their own projects, and now I’m extending that challenge to you.
Your project doesn’t have to be massive—it just needs to push you slightly outside your comfort zone.
Here are some ideas, ranging from simple to more ambitious:
Small Steps:
🎤 Go to an open mic night (even just to observe)
📹 Record a video of yourself playing
🚀 Post a short clip online
🎶 Play something for a friend or significant other
🤝 Find a jam partner
Bigger Challenges:
🎸 Put together a band
🎙️ Record a song (at home or in a studio)
📅 Book a gig
🛣️ Plan a small tour
💿 Record a full album
Some projects won’t go as planned, and that’s okay. Nelson Mandela said, “I never lose. I either win or learn.” That’s the mindset I take into everything I do.
The point of the project isn’t necessarily the final outcome—it’s about growth. It’s about giving yourself a reason to push forward and truly integrate what you’re learning.
Right now, my project is creating a series of video courses. It’s a big challenge, requiring me to sharpen a ton of skills. It’s not as fun as writing music, but it’s something I believe in, and I know it will help people.
So now, I challenge you:
What’s your next project? Big or small, it doesn’t matter. Just pick something—and take the first step.
Your future self will thank you.
-Dustin