Learning a skill by repeatedly rehearsing it.

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32
votes
18answers
4k views

How to play a song without making mistakes?

I have played keyboard quite a while and now I'm starting to practice some classical musics like Fur Elise. When I see a live performance of any musical instrument, there seems to be no error at all. ...
33
votes
11answers
760 views

I need help getting out of my scalar rut.

I'm a well versed and experienced guitarist. I have a decent sense for rhythm and melody, but I have a VERY hard time with soloing. I know you've heard it all before.. I'm one of those guys that got ...
12
votes
6answers
2k views

Get back into an instrument after long break?

In my youth I played lots of piano, for over 10 years, and became quite good at it. During college, however, I just didn't have the time to keep it up. It looks as if I'll soon have access to a ...
6
votes
5answers
1k views

Logical way to learn movable scales on guitar?

After learning the CAGED 'open string' scales, what scales to do next? In what order or what way? When I learn a new scale, it seems to have the effect of displacing my ability to play other scales ...
21
votes
10answers
4k views

As a guitarist, how can I learn to sight-read music?

I'm learning guitar right now, mostly from Justin Sandercoe's free online lessons, starting from the beginner's course. He has a lot of good tips for how to practice and drill chords, and scales, but ...
25
votes
7answers
422 views

Guitar practice: more often but less time or once in a few days but for a few hours?

As many people, who have lots of every day responsibilities, like going to work, family and etc. I find myself struggling for the time to practice. Some days I just feel to tired to pick up a guitar ...
35
votes
7answers
1k views

Will learning to play another instrument help me to become a better guitarist?

I am a programmer and I do this for living. As a programmer, I've noticed how much difference it makes to learn another language - the quality of your work improves greatly, just because you know how ...
4
votes
4answers
300 views

Backing Tracks for Practicing

Looking for Backing Tracks for Practicing on Guitar, I listen to Heavy Metal and Progressive Metal genre.
8
votes
7answers
104 views

Are there some classical pieces that lend themselves well to guitar?

I would like to practice reading music on something other than notation written for guitar. Are there other pieces written for violin, for instance-or other instruments, that can be transposed easily ...
8
votes
3answers
805 views

What can I do to minimize damage to my picking hand wrist as I practice guitar?

My right hand (picking hand) is showing signs of carpal tunnel syndrome, and is slowly, but surely, degrading. I continue to practice guitar, but it's beginning to be difficult to do so. What can I ...
7
votes
4answers
471 views

How do you prevent injuries from bad posture while playing classical guitar?

I'm tagging this as specific to classical guitar since that's what I am familiar with. The correct posture is very important which playing classical, including the footstool, the position of your ...
5
votes
2answers
478 views

Learning 4/5 trills on the piano?

This has got to be one of the hardest technical things to teach your hands. I'm looking for advice from someone who's already surmounted this particular obstacle. To be clear, I'm talking about ...
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 ...
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 ...
19
votes
4answers
750 views

How can I be sure that I am singing effortlessly in my natural voice ?

By now , I have years of vocalization practice but I still start straining while singing—especially if I am not vigilant. It happens imperceptibly and is a hard habit to break. Is there a reliable ...
41
votes
7answers
631 views

Ten Minute Practice Techniques?

Unfortunately I can't play everyday. However, I am trying to grab at least 5-10 minutes here and there. What are some good theory or scale techniques/practice methods I should have ready to pull out ...
21
votes
9answers
445 views

What is the best way of learning the notes on the fretboard.

What is the best way to learn the notes on the fretboard. Are there any good tips on how to do this?
6
votes
3answers
1k views

Rhythm/Drum exercises without drums

I am a 24 year old computer engineering student who just have started playing drums. I spend on avarage 1 hour on bus to school and 40-60 min on exercise like running, biking, etc every day. My point ...
11
votes
3answers
288 views

How can I move beyond learning songs?

I can competently learn and play chord progressions and simple runs on the guitar but I do not feel like I understand the instrument. My playing progresses by memorizing songs. However, I know that ...
5
votes
1answer
225 views

Does one play a song better after “sleeping on it”?

Whenever I'm learning something new on the piano, I'll usually learn the basic notes and rhythm of a section of the song (several measures, maybe a full page depending on the complexity / tempo, ...
4
votes
1answer
211 views

Can vocal range extrema be reached by a lot of practice?

Wikipedia lists the world records and extremes of the vocal range, can extrema be reached by a lot of practice or were they born with that?
9
votes
2answers
826 views

How to begin learning the CAGED Method

What is the best way of approaching the CAGED Method. What are some good resources for beginning to learn this method.
7
votes
3answers
348 views

What are “nodules” and how do you avoid them?

I've heard from singers (I'm primarily a guitarist) that it can be dangerous to try to make your voice deeper because you might develop "nodules". Is it true? What are they? How can you avoid them?
7
votes
7answers
209 views

Are there any books or videos out there that teach you SLOWLY and do not focus on learning TABS?

Are there any books or videos courses that just teach you how to practice acoustic guitar and its not complicated either? I know that there are lots of video course, books, youtube videos out there ...
5
votes
4answers
224 views

Can't feel meter when playing

I can't feel the meter when playing along very well, sometimes not at all. Note I can feel the "pulse" just fine. I have no problem tapping my foot to the beat in time but I can't feel where the one ...
5
votes
2answers
98 views

Links and tips for Learning and using scales

Tips and links on learning and using different types of scales will be helpful. If possible List of scales with songs in which they are used and (artists/types of bands) who uses certain scales to a ...
4
votes
2answers
634 views

Are tools to help improve finger dexterity, strength and speed really useful?

I don't have access to a piano every day of the week, but want to keep my flexibility. Searching on the Internet, I found many kinds of contraptions and devices that claim that they help keep and ...
3
votes
2answers
525 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 ...
8
votes
0answers
206 views

How to get back on track after long absence [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Get back into an instrument after long break? I have been playing Guitar for more than 8 years now and I was working as a Electric Guitar Teacher while I was Studying ...
5
votes
3answers
78 views

Permuations or scales for building up speed

I'm currently trying to build up some speed and accuracy in my technique, and I was told a while back that a great way to do this was to play fingering permutations to a metrenome. Has anyone had any ...
2
votes
4answers
156 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
990 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
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 ...
0
votes
3answers
189 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 ...