Tag: learning

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…… 😉

Here’s something you can count on…

Nicole Neal1 Comment

I am very sure that most of us like to think we have an awesome in-built sense of rhythm and timing. I know I do, and then I disappoint myself when I stuff up a seemingly easy rhythm – hah hah!

The Count from Sesame Street
He can Count.. (Photo credit: Elliot Trinidad)

It is fair to say, however, that we do have to a degree an in-built sense of pulse and rhythm. Let’s just say though that this sense of rhythm and timing is not as precision as we would like it.

Not with me, not with you, not even with the seasoned pro up on the stage! I can assure you.

This is where our good friend counting comes in, especially when learning a new piece, embedding that sense of pulse and the rhythms associated with the piece into the old grey matter and fingers.

Yes, counting. I’m pretty sure that most of us can do that. Even me with my number dyslexia!

It helps us get our head around complex or not-so-straightforward rhythms, where we might have overlapping contrapuntal lines or some syncopation going on.

Even with basic rhythms – are you giving those crotchets and minims their full count?! And the rests?!

Don’t be afraid to whack out your HB pencil and write in big, bold confident strokes the counting for a bar or phrase that needs particular attention rhythmically. Count out loud or mouth the counting whilst you’re playing during practice to (a) make sure that you’re playing it correctly and (b) that you’re confirming, verifying and embedding that rhythm into your body.

I can regale you with an example of a well-known and respected guitarist and teacher, who I saw very recently on stage counting along to the music he was playing like a maniac!

There you go – even the best of the best do it, so don’t be afraid! It doesn’t mean you’re rubbish, it just means you want to play the music in the best way it can be played!