Learning a skill by repeatedly rehearsing it.
3
votes
3answers
217 views
How do you play C7 fast on a guitar?
There is a somewhat difficult chord near the beginning of Isaac Albinez's Austurias. I will post it in tablature form for the sake of convenience:
Ｅ｜－１２－｜ ４
Ｂ｜－８－－｜ １
Ｇ｜－９－－｜ ２
...
3
votes
3answers
119 views
Any ways to physically improve hand and finger speed?
My question is general and is instrument agnostic (it's actually even music acoustic).
I'm looking for ways to improve my hand and finger speed, whether it's finger drumming on the kitchen table, ...
3
votes
4answers
92 views
Practicing Trills
The slowness of my trills is getting annoying. I am able to play Blue by Yngwie Malmsteen but yet fail at doing the trill in the intro. How can one practice to make them faster? Endurance is not an ...
3
votes
2answers
125 views
One at a time or all at once?
I'm relearning guitar after several years -- well, several decades -- away. I'm actually finding that not only is it coming back to me easily, but I'm learning more than I ever knew before due to all ...
3
votes
3answers
75 views
What to look for in beginner etudes for a second instrument?
I've already learned the theory, technique and notation as it applies to my primary instrument (guitar). I'd like to pick up a second instrument (viola), but I need to find exercises and etudes that ...
3
votes
3answers
551 views
Trumpet - Charles Colin Lip Flexibilities Vol. 1 Exercise 1
I am trying to go through the whole Charles Colin Lip Flexibilities book. Here is an excerpt from the first exercise:
There are two ways I could interpret this. Since this book is about building up ...
3
votes
2answers
516 views
Is it possible to use video games to help improve one's singing?
I've decided that I want to improve my singing. In order to give me incentive to practice (and regular feedback), I thought getting a video game might be of help. I know that it's no substitute for ...
3
votes
2answers
153 views
What differences with an acoustic kit should a new drummer keep in mind when starting on an electric kit
After years as a bass player I'm thinking of getting an eletric drum kit and learning how to play. (I want to play an electric kit because I'm often home late and want to be able to practise without ...
3
votes
4answers
308 views
What should I practice to develop the skills needed to play rock solos?
I know music theory, basic guitar chords and basic scales. What should I be focusing on practicing in order to compose or improvise rock guitar solos, and just play famous solos by ear? I am talking ...
3
votes
2answers
157 views
One hand and then the other
I'm a beginner at piano. When practising is it best to learn how to play each hand separately at first and then put them together, or to practice the whole thing? Or does it not matter?
3
votes
2answers
221 views
Flatpicking: how can I make my floating-pick-hand less bouncy?
Can anyone suggest how I might improve my "floating fist" style flatpicking? I'm trying to clean up my pick technique for the sake of accuracy, feel, speed, and general ease-of-playing. I use the ...
3
votes
2answers
452 views
Is it dangerous to sing an entire song in falsetto?
Be it short-term or long-term. Is it true that if you use your falsetto on songs for more than those typical "uuhhhhs" and "oohhhhs" to give it a more sentimental/breathy touch, you could damage your ...
3
votes
1answer
92 views
Guitar Action for practicing and learning
I know for certain that a lower action on a guitar makes playing easier, but does having a high action makes you more skilled by overcoming the extra difficulty or is it just an inconvenience?
3
votes
1answer
201 views
How well does mental practice work for you on different instruments?
Multi-instrumentalists: this is about personal experience (instead of literature review) of mentally practicing your instruments away from them. Do you find it to be more or less effective for one ...
3
votes
1answer
91 views
How much time do we need to pick up our skills again if we do not sing for a long period of time?
How much time do we need to pick up our skills again if we do not sing for a long period of time?
Sorry if this question is very vague but I've done drum and piano before and for some reason--even if ...
3
votes
1answer
280 views
Piano technique: Repetitions and oscillations
Not sure if I am using the right expression, so allow me to cite examples.
There are some piano movements that cause my hands (wrists) to cramp when I play it for too long. One are repeated chords. ...
3
votes
1answer
865 views
Exercises for Tuvan Throat-Singing (Overtone-Singing)?
I've been fascinated for many years with Tuvan Throat-Singing, particularly the group Huun-Huur-Tu. A few years ago I happened upon a Scientific American article (which I have since misplaced) that ...
2
votes
4answers
327 views
Do you count mental practice when counting total practice time for the day?
My guitar instructor insists that, as part of my training, I set a fixed minimum amount of time each day for practice and make sure that I practice at least that much, with a fixed upper limit of 4x45 ...
2
votes
2answers
92 views
Repeating the tonic when the scale is ascending and then descending
When I started to learn piano about 2 years ago, I practiced scales with my piano teacher. For practicing C Major, she recommended repeating the tonic:
C D E F G A B C C B A G F E D C
When I ...
2
votes
2answers
93 views
Finding the right rhythm for a tune
I have bought a CASIO CTK-4200 keyboard which has some 180 rhythms stored. I am new to such keyboards, and a beginner when it comes to playing music. I know some tunes which I can play on this ...
2
votes
2answers
323 views
How can I avoid making unpleasant facial expressions when playing difficult chords?
When I'm playing (learning) difficult chords on guitar (ex: F,B7) my facial muscles (basically lips) form a weird action (I felt it and I saw it in the mirror).
I feel I'll get used to it as I go and ...
2
votes
2answers
238 views
Hannon or Czerny
What are the best exercises for someone who had played the piano for 3 years but has had a 4 year break and wants to get back into playing, Hannon or Czerny?
2
votes
3answers
99 views
Plateau in speed increases
a while ago I posted this question about my ideas for guitar practise: Guitar practice - general techniques
Since then I've been using the little app I put together, ranked up about 40 hours or so in ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
most effective guitar practice schedule?
I've Googled this question and there is a jumble of answers out there with long articles with complicated answers, so I thought I'd ask for more personal opinions.
I learned the guitar about 13 ...
2
votes
4answers
80 views
Karaoke Software for practicing sax
In my sax classes, my teacher accompanies me with his piano. He corrects my timing mistakes. Also, it sounds better than playing alone.
I just came up with a software which can help me to do it at ...
2
votes
2answers
188 views
How do violinists manage headphone wires?
I've been playing acoustic classical violin for years, and I recently bought my first electric violin: A Yamaha SV-200. Right now I'm making do with the pair of in-ear phones that came with it. I plan ...
2
votes
2answers
112 views
What should I be trying my hand at to practice composing?
I don't really know how to play any instrument, but I do have some USB keys that I have plinked with in Garageband.
I'm not interested so much in learning to perform my works. I enjoy and am inspired ...
2
votes
2answers
151 views
Guitar overdubbing with headphones problem
I practise guitar at home with my headphones and using Boss micro BR 80 amp modeling device and its effects.
It works ok with one guitar but when I use a looper/delay to harmonize my solos or record ...
2
votes
4answers
155 views
Guitar practice - general techniques
I was delighted to come across this site. I'm a self-taught guitarist (largely electric guitar) and am continually looking to improve my playing and practice techniques. The change of running my ...
2
votes
5answers
979 views
Electric Guitar | Right hand position
I find it difficult to decide on where to position/rest my right hand (picking hand) when playing electric guitar. I started with acoustic and i have a habit of resting my pinky finger on the guitar ...
2
votes
2answers
81 views
How are method books for instruments created and why do they work?
This is an odd question. But I think I can use some wisdom from teachers and other experienced individuals.
Now, most of the instruments have method books, and many teachers follow them as well. My ...
2
votes
2answers
75 views
Effectively using singing games for vocal training
What are productive ways to use the "Rock Band" video game as part of a vocal training regimen?
Are there any bad habits/practices that singing along with this type of game tends to promote?
2
votes
1answer
74 views
Indian Bamboo Flute: Practice
I am learning a 8 hole bamboo flute. I am having difficulties in practicing it because I am getting different sounds for different lip positions. Are there any tricks or ways to get the right sound ...
2
votes
3answers
208 views
Practice amp for a flute/piccolo
My wife is a fairly accomplished flautist who has recently taken up the piccolo. Already practicing the flute is probably affecting her hearing, and the piccolo promises to be an order of magnitude ...
2
votes
1answer
164 views
Any way to practice using the very tip of your pinky?
I'm practicing a lot of scales as mentioned in my earlier question. When I stretch my pinky to reach for a distant fret, I almost always "land" on the side of my pinky. Is this ok? If not are there ...
1
vote
4answers
147 views
Self learning and tips for a middle aged parent
I have played guitar as a hobby on-and-off for 18 years now. I am not an accomplished player. I took lessons when I started out. I have bought books, and early-on I learned a lot from Fretboard ...
1
vote
4answers
119 views
Is a digital or acoustic piano a better option for a beginner (sound and feel)?
I just started learning piano, and I want to buy a piano for recreational purposes and practicing. I am torn between digital and acoustic. I love the feel and sound of an acoustic, but I cannot afford ...
1
vote
2answers
90 views
Best process to learn a new song
I have been wondering about the best way to learn playing a new song on guitar. For example, a lot of people try to pick a small part, practice and perfect it and then repeat the procedure for the ...
1
vote
1answer
60 views
Making a Soundproof Room
I started playing sax. I need to find me place to practice before being killed by my neighbors. I am thinking to soundproof my small room. It does not need to be 100% soundproof, but it's enough if it ...
1
vote
0answers
74 views
Which tools should I look for, that might help me analyze digitally recorded music, so I can better learn how to play it? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Software that slows down music to help in transcribing.
I'm looking to study specific soloes and improvisations from recordings of live performances - my ear, however, ...
0
votes
3answers
188 views
What are the most common barriers to becoming proficient at playing an instrument?
What are the most common barriers to becoming proficient at playing an instrument, and how does one overcome them?
Multiple answers welcome :)
This question does not apply to a particular instrument ...
0
votes
2answers
75 views
When following a lesson should I make it perfect before going to the next lession
I am following the lessons from a finger-style blues book. I have completed practice lessons "A" "B" and currently at "C". When I was practicing "A" I could be able to play it perfectly most of the ...
0
votes
3answers
100 views
Amplifier has no aux in, what alternatives can I use?
As stated my amplifier has no Aux in jack. It's hindering me from practicing with an otherwise (imo) great amp (a Vox Pathfinder 15r).
Been thinking of using this to interface between the music ...
0
votes
2answers
77 views
I've heard of advanced performers taking Dalcrose Eurhythmics classes- would such classes be appropriate for a beginner too?
Should a musician which is just starting to learn how to play his instrument specifically look for classes which call out Dalcrose Eurhythmics concepts as part of their curriculum?
0
votes
3answers
150 views
How can I play this passage on classical guitar?
I'm trying to teach myself classical guitar. I've got a fair bit of experience chording and strumming. But this passage is giving me problems:
My problem concerns the highlighted portion. Even ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Where to download music covers for songs (without lyrics)? [duplicate]
I don't know if the title of my question is correct, feel free to edit it.
This video: a guy plays if tomorrow never comes on harmonica, while a musical cover for the song is playing in the ...
-1
votes
2answers
60 views
Seeking resource of melodies for purpose of acquiring fluency in all the keys [closed]
I am developing software for acquiring musical fluency (http://toneme.org/)
At the same time I am attempting to acquire such fluency.
What I think would help me beyond measure would be a daily ...
-2
votes
3answers
103 views
Drum machine with an API (Ruby would be awesome!) [closed]
I'm looking for a software drum machine that's easy to work with programatically. My goal is to use this as an intelligent metronome for creating drills to practice against.
Simplistically, I want ...
