Showing posts with label is. Show all posts
Showing posts with label is. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
This is NOT a Test or a Recital
Learning to play in front of your teacher and others
Most students have a hard time playing their songs for their music teacher. When I went back to college I had to take class piano. In addition to classes where we had electronic keyboards with headphones, we were also required to play one on one for our teacher in a little room with a real piano. Not once in the 2 years that I took the class was I able to play as well as I could in the classroom or at home. What was particularly frustrating is that I was playing the guitar in public 5 or 6 nights a week and had no signs of stage fright or anxiety. So, what is it? The first thing a guitar student needs to understand is that youre not being tested. Its your guitar teachers way of judging your progress and watching for what needs to be corrected. Knowing youre being watched by someone who knows how to play can cause you to be nervous and afraid youll make a mistake. In addition, its frustrating to be able to play a song at home and not be able to play it as well at your lesson.
Getting over the stage fright, nervousness and anxiety
The only way to get over all three is by performing in front of other people. The more you practice the guitar, the more confident you become, and confidence is what gets you over the hump. Start out by playing for friends and family, your guitar teacher, and your fellow students. If you have the opportunity to play at a open mic or a jam session, go for it! Our studio offers controlled jam sessions which consist of part instruction, part jamming with others. If you can find a place that offers something like that, by all means get involved. Most cities have coffee houses or other venues that offer open mics or jam sessions and thats another good alternative. Remember, playing guitar or any other instrument is lots of fun when you can share it with others. So practice to build confidence, test your playing out on friends and family, then take the next step and get out in public.
Most students have a hard time playing their songs for their music teacher. When I went back to college I had to take class piano. In addition to classes where we had electronic keyboards with headphones, we were also required to play one on one for our teacher in a little room with a real piano. Not once in the 2 years that I took the class was I able to play as well as I could in the classroom or at home. What was particularly frustrating is that I was playing the guitar in public 5 or 6 nights a week and had no signs of stage fright or anxiety. So, what is it? The first thing a guitar student needs to understand is that youre not being tested. Its your guitar teachers way of judging your progress and watching for what needs to be corrected. Knowing youre being watched by someone who knows how to play can cause you to be nervous and afraid youll make a mistake. In addition, its frustrating to be able to play a song at home and not be able to play it as well at your lesson.
Getting over the stage fright, nervousness and anxiety
The only way to get over all three is by performing in front of other people. The more you practice the guitar, the more confident you become, and confidence is what gets you over the hump. Start out by playing for friends and family, your guitar teacher, and your fellow students. If you have the opportunity to play at a open mic or a jam session, go for it! Our studio offers controlled jam sessions which consist of part instruction, part jamming with others. If you can find a place that offers something like that, by all means get involved. Most cities have coffee houses or other venues that offer open mics or jam sessions and thats another good alternative. Remember, playing guitar or any other instrument is lots of fun when you can share it with others. So practice to build confidence, test your playing out on friends and family, then take the next step and get out in public.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
What is Position Playing
Position playing for beginning guitar players.
Position playing means using one finger per fret. So if youre playing in the 5th position, your 1st finger plays the 5th fret, your 2nd finger plays the 6th fret, your 3rd finger plays the 7th fret and the 4th finger plays the 8th fret. Position playing is extremely useful when soloing so you dont have to do too much extra moving back and forth. Most guitar teachers teach positions using scale patterns which will help you figure out which position to use.
Exceptions to the rule.
There are times when it will be necessary to go out of position by 1 fret in either direction. Some of the scale patterns need to be altered so that youre still in the basic position.
How fingering relates to scales and chords.
Every chord has a corresponding scale, so when you become more advanced youll be able to visualize the scale that goes with that particular chord. Once you become more familiar with the guitar fretboard youll be amazed at how logical it is.
The takeaway from all of this is to be patient, play slowly so that you develop muscle memory, and get in the habit of using one finger per fret. One of the most important things my guitar teacher did was to not let me get away with using the wrong fingers!
Position playing means using one finger per fret. So if youre playing in the 5th position, your 1st finger plays the 5th fret, your 2nd finger plays the 6th fret, your 3rd finger plays the 7th fret and the 4th finger plays the 8th fret. Position playing is extremely useful when soloing so you dont have to do too much extra moving back and forth. Most guitar teachers teach positions using scale patterns which will help you figure out which position to use.
Exceptions to the rule.
There are times when it will be necessary to go out of position by 1 fret in either direction. Some of the scale patterns need to be altered so that youre still in the basic position.
How fingering relates to scales and chords.
Every chord has a corresponding scale, so when you become more advanced youll be able to visualize the scale that goes with that particular chord. Once you become more familiar with the guitar fretboard youll be amazed at how logical it is.
The takeaway from all of this is to be patient, play slowly so that you develop muscle memory, and get in the habit of using one finger per fret. One of the most important things my guitar teacher did was to not let me get away with using the wrong fingers!
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Is It Possible to Practice Too Much
How much is too much when it comes to practicing?
The law of diminishing returns. While its extremely important to maintain a steady practice routine, there is a point where youve stopped making any progress that day. Usually after 45 minutes to an hour, its time to take a break. Your fingers get tired, you quit hearing what youre playing, and you dont seem to be getting anywhere. Thats how you know you need to do something else for a while.
I practiced that part over and over, but when I went to play it for my teacher I messed it up. Playing at home is a lot different from performing for someone else. Whether its your teacher, your class, or a live performance, its much harder to play in front of people. You need to build confidence in your ability to play the part that gives you trouble and you cant let it get the best of you. My students will say things like "here comes the part I hate", or "heres the part I always have trouble with", and guess what? They immediately have trouble with it! At that point the problem is in your head, not in your fingers.
How do you overcome this? No matter how painful it is, play in front of and with other people. I conduct a "controlled jam session" at the studio where I get students of the same level together so they can all experience playing with others. The first week or two everyones timid, shy and pretty much unable to perform at their normal level. Once they become more comfortable and relaxed the tension slowly goes away and they play much better.
Open mikes, jam sessions and other outlets. Being nervous or scared is a common reaction, so the best thing to do is to learn a few songs that you can play well, record and/or make a video of yourself playing the songs, and play them for friends and family members. Most cities have open mikes or jam sessions, so the best way to get some experience is to just do it. At jam sessions, play along in the background until youre comfortable. Most jammers are very encouraging and youll be surprised at how helpful they can be. At an open mike, its only going to get better if you keep doing it. Again, most of the people attending will be very encouraging and helpful.
Be prepared. Before you leave the house be sure you have everything you need. Extra picks, strings, a capo, a strap and an electronic tuner should all be in your case. If youve never practiced while standing up, youll be surprised at what a difference it makes. When you think youre ready, just go for it.
The law of diminishing returns. While its extremely important to maintain a steady practice routine, there is a point where youve stopped making any progress that day. Usually after 45 minutes to an hour, its time to take a break. Your fingers get tired, you quit hearing what youre playing, and you dont seem to be getting anywhere. Thats how you know you need to do something else for a while.
I practiced that part over and over, but when I went to play it for my teacher I messed it up. Playing at home is a lot different from performing for someone else. Whether its your teacher, your class, or a live performance, its much harder to play in front of people. You need to build confidence in your ability to play the part that gives you trouble and you cant let it get the best of you. My students will say things like "here comes the part I hate", or "heres the part I always have trouble with", and guess what? They immediately have trouble with it! At that point the problem is in your head, not in your fingers.
How do you overcome this? No matter how painful it is, play in front of and with other people. I conduct a "controlled jam session" at the studio where I get students of the same level together so they can all experience playing with others. The first week or two everyones timid, shy and pretty much unable to perform at their normal level. Once they become more comfortable and relaxed the tension slowly goes away and they play much better.
Open mikes, jam sessions and other outlets. Being nervous or scared is a common reaction, so the best thing to do is to learn a few songs that you can play well, record and/or make a video of yourself playing the songs, and play them for friends and family members. Most cities have open mikes or jam sessions, so the best way to get some experience is to just do it. At jam sessions, play along in the background until youre comfortable. Most jammers are very encouraging and youll be surprised at how helpful they can be. At an open mike, its only going to get better if you keep doing it. Again, most of the people attending will be very encouraging and helpful.
Be prepared. Before you leave the house be sure you have everything you need. Extra picks, strings, a capo, a strap and an electronic tuner should all be in your case. If youve never practiced while standing up, youll be surprised at what a difference it makes. When you think youre ready, just go for it.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Is Your Guitar Teacher Inspiring You or Showing Off
Inspiration or show-off?
Theres a fine line when it comes to showing a beginning guitar student how a song goes, and having him or her interpret it as showing off. Ive had students tell me I was showing off or trying to show them up, when actually I was playing the song fast enough that they would hear what it was supposed to sound like.
Does your teacher show off sometimes?
Absolutely! Most of the time its when Im asked to play something, maybe even on a different instrument. Students have asked me to play the banjo for them, or if they play banjo to play something on the guitar. Sometimes theyre searching for credibility or checking to see if you really can play a particular song.
Whats the problem?
The problem pops up when your guitar teacher does more playing than teaching. Were not talking about accompanying you, but rather playing instead of teaching. This happens a lot with teachers who are either inexperienced, lacking in self confidence or just trying to impress the student.
What should you do?
It depends on how comfortable you are with it. When Ive been accused of showing off I explain why I played that song or passage in that way. I try to lead by example and make it clear that what I just played is for the benefit of the student. There are times when a certain technique or song has to be played at a faster pace for it to make sense. So, listen to what your teacher is playing, and if you have any questions or concerns about the motive behind it, just mention them and see what the answer is. Most of the time it will be played with every intention of instructing rather than showing off.
Theres a fine line when it comes to showing a beginning guitar student how a song goes, and having him or her interpret it as showing off. Ive had students tell me I was showing off or trying to show them up, when actually I was playing the song fast enough that they would hear what it was supposed to sound like.
Does your teacher show off sometimes?
Absolutely! Most of the time its when Im asked to play something, maybe even on a different instrument. Students have asked me to play the banjo for them, or if they play banjo to play something on the guitar. Sometimes theyre searching for credibility or checking to see if you really can play a particular song.
Whats the problem?
The problem pops up when your guitar teacher does more playing than teaching. Were not talking about accompanying you, but rather playing instead of teaching. This happens a lot with teachers who are either inexperienced, lacking in self confidence or just trying to impress the student.
What should you do?
It depends on how comfortable you are with it. When Ive been accused of showing off I explain why I played that song or passage in that way. I try to lead by example and make it clear that what I just played is for the benefit of the student. There are times when a certain technique or song has to be played at a faster pace for it to make sense. So, listen to what your teacher is playing, and if you have any questions or concerns about the motive behind it, just mention them and see what the answer is. Most of the time it will be played with every intention of instructing rather than showing off.
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