Music Practice Techniques for Learning Repertory

These practice tips were written for fiddlers. I've used them in classical violin also. You will find they apply to any music learning goal you have set for yourself.

Learning new repertory raises your instrumental or singing ability. It makes you learn new combinations of notes. It takes focused effort and stretches your comfort zone.

Be sure you know what the piece sounds like. If you can "kind of" sing along or hum along with a recording, that's a good start.

With any chart, whether standard music notation or fiddle tab, there is a first time you go through it. In music it's called sight reading. It's a skill that can be learned with practice.

In the folk music world, it is not a crucial skill. The point of having a chart is simply to help you get started easily.

Visual learners pick up a tune most quickly with a chart.

When I go through a tune the first time, I might miss a rhythmic figure, or a note here or there. Then, the second time through I'll slow down on the tough part and figure it out.

Once you've played through the new chart a few times, you know where the traps and difficult spots are.

A trap is a place in the music where you were surprised by the choice of notes. You expected something else, based on what you were playing. You got blind-sided by the actual notes.

You can lock down a trap by a practice tip I call "the slow down technique."

What you should not do is what most learners do until they get some coaching. You play along at a normal speed, hit the trap, and, oops! Back up and play it correctly, then keep going.

This is a good way to train your brain to fall into the trap.

Better is: simply slow the tempo as you get to the tricky part and play it accurately. Speed up to normal after you get past it. Repeat as needed. This way you are putting the trappy part into context. You are letting your brain connect the dots.

The other way--oops! and fix it, will work eventually. But it's so inefficient. Instead, allow your brain the chance to learn a new pattern of notes. They're not so difficult. They just go together funny. Slowing down enables you to play the part accurately. This is just crucial.

Truly difficult spots require you to do something with your hands, or voice, that is definitely awkward.

You need to focus like a laser on exactly what is the difficulty.

"Let's see...I have to hold my 2nd finger down while I reach with my 3rd finger to the next string, while slurring with the down bow, then...."

Be very aware of exactly what problem the awkwardness is creating.

Some spots require several tough moves, one right after the other. Such a spot may require three or more seconds at first. Repetition builds speed naturally. You are creating and strengthening pathways in your brain.

Your goal should be, not so much getting faster, as getting easier and smoother.

Remember this universal musician's rule. You are allowed to mark your part with a pencil.

Sometimes I'll just draw a small wavy line above a trap or a difficult spot. It helps me to focus in my practice.

When you have isolated the most troublesome spots, play or sing each of them correctly three times in a row. This is the most basic practice technique of all. Make it your default habit and see your ability move ahead.

After spending some time with these techniques, you are ready for honest self-evaluation. Play through your new tune at a slow enough speed that you can play or sing all the hard parts accurately.

In other words, use a steady tempo that allows you to play with zero errors. Using a metronome, take note of the exact speed. Write that down on your chart as a benchmark.

Later, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the increase in speed with accuracy. This builds self-esteem and the habit of constantly getting better as a musician.

In tunes that have running sixteenths--notes that keep changing four to a beat--use four distinct rhythms to get mastery.

This running sixteenth note pattern is far more common in instrumental than vocal music. But, then, there's Mozart.

Go through the passage with a swing feel. Taah-tu, taah-tu, etc.

The second rhythm is strathspey. Each pair of two notes is played quickly on the first note and longer on the second. This is just the opposite of swing rhythm. Tuh-daah, tuh-daah. etc.

The next two rhythms involve grouping four notes as one beat and a triplet beat. Tum, ta-da-da would be a beat followed by a triplet beat. Ta-da-da, tum is the triplet beat followed by the single note beat.

Just a little rhythm practice on a running sixteenth note section of music does wonders for cleaning it up.

Elan Chalford
Learn How to Play Fiddle
http://fiddleguru.com

---

Music, the Spiritual Connection

All through the age's music and spirituality as served hand... Read More

Piano Lessons and Perfectionism

Are you a perfectionist? Does every note have to sound... Read More

Music & Citizenship: Can Playing a Musical Instrument Help Your Child Become a Better Citizen?

Disregard the popular image of rappers with their ghetto blasters,... Read More

Les Paul Vintage Gibson Guitars

Les Paul vintage Gibson guitars were first produced in 1952.... Read More

What is Music?

That's a fair question!Basically, you can call music any noise... Read More

Play Piano in the New Age Style

It's not what you play, it's how you play it.... Read More

Greg Koch Fender Guitar History

The Greg Koch Fender guitar began to take shape all... Read More

So You Wanna Learn How To Start a Record Label?

Well, you love music so much that you have decided... Read More

Lori Nuic Sparkles

A soulful vibe along with an amazing voice is what... Read More

Review: The Dissociatives - Self Titled

In 1994 Daniel Johns and his group Silverchair were catapulted... Read More

Musicians: What Chords Do You Absolutely, Positively Have To Know?

As you probably know, there are thousands and thousands of... Read More

Interview With Josh Epstein of Vision Music USA

Vision Music USA is a proactive and progressive music service... Read More

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME - Eliminate Throat Tension

As a vocal coach, I hear it all the time.... Read More

Common Thoughts That Kill Inspiration

Do you sit down at the piano and feel anxiety... Read More

The Acoustic Guitar

The steel-stringed acoustic guitar is usually credited with being developed... Read More

Beginners Guide to Music File Formats

Are you confused by the various types of music file... Read More

Making Music As A Lefty

Author Interview with Ryan Thomson, seacoast New Hampshire resident, and... Read More

What is Piano GHD Syndrome?

Do you remember the movie, Groundhog Day? In this wonderful... Read More

Piano Playing is Easier than You Think When You Understand Musical Form

Form is the key that unlocks the musical map of... Read More

Canadian Stars: The Marble Index and the Waking Eyes

Canadian Indie bands are dominating the music scene and it... Read More

The Gong - An Instrument Everyone Can Play

What exactly is a Gong?The gong is a musical instrument... Read More

Setting Up In-House Retail Sales

Now, that you are familiar and likely connected with online... Read More

Legal Free Music Downloads - Songs You Want at No Cost

It's all over the news these days. Download music from... Read More

Discover The Perfect Place To Perform

Once you know what your Unique Selling Proposition is as... Read More

Reaching For The Soul Zone

Every searching artist wants to get there. It's that magical... Read More

Review: The Bled - Pass the Flask

Released in 2003, Pass the Flask turned this little quintet... Read More

Avoiding Injuries When Playing Guitar

To avoid any sort of injuries when playing guitar a... Read More

Oh My Aching Head! Can Music Really Make You Feel Better?

We all know, if only instinctively, that music has a... Read More

Self-Expression Without Criticism

When I was 9 years old I played the Saxophone... Read More

Why Learning How to Improvise is So Important

Imagine asking a beginning writer to write a short story... Read More

RAP Music and Brain Washing Issues

I am not sure if anyone has been watching out... Read More

How To Dress Up Naked Music On The Piano

What in the world is "naked music?"You know it when... Read More

?Who Else Wants to Get Screwed When Signing a Recording or Songwriting Deal?!?!?

You've got your recording (or songwriting) contract in hand and... Read More