Tag: classical

Sight-reading – you know you love it……Three tips to have you sight-reading like a legend!

Nicole Neal2 Comments
I received an email this week from a reader looking for some help around improving their sight-reading on the classical guitar.
So, I thought I’d share my thoughts on this with you too! Yay!
Sight-reading can seem quite a scary prospect, particularly if you’re not used to it or not so confident with your written music. It can become less like Dante’s nine circles of hell, however, with a bit of work.
Here are three key things you can do to help you improve…
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Sight Reading?
Sight Reading? Child’s play! (Photo credit: christopherl)
(1) In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator – Do it!
The best way of getting better at sight-reading is to dive in and do it. And do lots of it. And then do some more!!
And, dear reader, as you know one of my favourite things to say is  consistency is key. Well, the same applies here.
Take something such as the AMEB graded sight-reading book and set yourself a task of reading two or three pieces at sight each day. Start at a grade or level of piece you feel reasonably comfortable with sight-reading and then up the ante slowly once you feel you’re comfortable sight-reading at that particular level.
And it matters not if you start around Grade One, or lower even, what does matter is doing it. By doing lots of it, it will seem a heck of a lot less scary too.
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(2) Keep going!
Whilst you’re building up your awesome Ferrari-like sight-reading skills, the most important thing when sight-reading is keeping going. Even if you’re playing completely the wrong notes, keep going! Play with good musical intention and feeling and a sense of pulse and that’s half the battle.
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(3) S’all about the theory
Some theory study in addition to sight-reading practice will truly pay dividends.
Yes, I appreciate that the thought of doing theory study sounds incredibly dull and about as inviting as a dry cracker topped with a layer of Saharan sand, but some regular study, perhaps working up through one of the many graded workbooks out there, means you’re ingraining the keys, scales, harmonies, and other patterns that are the building blocks of music.
By ingraining it, it becomes second nature. This means there’s not so much to actively think about all at the same time when you’re sight-reading. It can take care of itself to a point and leaving you freer to think about the music making. Which is what we all want, isn’t it?!

What’s the rush?! Slow is good…

Nicole Neal4 Comments

We rush here, we rush there. Got to do this, go to do that, too many things to do. This meeting, that appointment. Got to answer that email. Like. Right. Now. Busy busy, oh so very busy. No time. Can’t stop. Got to get more done, be more efficient. Got to do it faster!

Victoria Station
Rush!!! (Photo credit: markhillary)

Sound familiar?

Yes, pretty much all of us are subject to the constant pulls on our precious time, urged to do ever more, cram more in and get faster and more superficial with the things we’re doing. Twenty first century Western life, in many ways, seems typified by the need to get faster and rush around.

So why the blooming heck do we feel the necessity to do the same with our learning process, practice and playing on the guitar?!

Perhaps it’s that influence of being in a rush elsewhere in our lives that translates itself on to the guitar as well? Or perhaps there’s something in our culture that teaches us that faster is better? Maybe it’s something in-built in our brains?

Well, I’m going to go get controversial here and say that faster isn’t necessarily better! Ooh…..

The most effective, efficient and ultimately faster (kind of paradoxically) learning takes place when we take our time. And this is not about playing slowly for the sake of playing slowly. This is about taking the time to notice, to hear, to feel, to sense, to experience, to “upload” to the brain what the left hand is doing, what the right hand is doing, how they’re moving in relation to one another, the sounds and tone quality you’re producing.

Can you to take that all in at a lightning fast tempo from the outset? Possibly not.

It’s also about soaking in and embedding the music, establishing a firm and solid ground to explore and make space for some real musical awesomeness.

Can you respond to and “make” music if your fingers and brain are working at two different speeds?

Frankie Says Relax
Kick back and relax! (Photo credit: Wide-eyed Vagrant)

Just take a step back, and pull it back a notch, work it in at a slower tempo before then pushing yourself slightly again. And once you do achieve your goal of playing scales, pieces or whatever at a faster tempo, it doesn’t mean you’re necessary a better player. Just faster. And just because you can play something fast doesn’t mean you should. Tempo should ALWAYS serve the musical intention of the piece you’re playing.

Remember, these things take time, as all good things do.

Most of the time we’re not working to a timetable with our learning – sometimes we get a phase of real acceleration, sometimes it’s slower. Just go with the flow and relax with it, enjoy the journey and don’t be in such a rush. You’ll love it. I promise.

Do send me an email if you’d like to chat further about this. No rush though…… 😉