Blog
CLEAR Out Distractions
I’ve written several newsletters in the past about things you should have right at your fingertips before you start to practice … the tuner, tabs, picks and hammers, comfortable chair, etc. But I’ve never told you what should be cleared from your practice space before starting. So here we go, and the first one sounds mean … but it’s not.
- Other People: Practicing is something you should do alone to really focus on your skills or correct mistakes. If someone is hanging around in my practice…
Stop Sloppy Practice
We need to practice with intention, focus, and precision to maximize the effectiveness of our practice sessions. Here are some key points to consider if, like me, you want to eliminate sloppy practice habits.
Pay attention to detail. Sloppy practice often results from overlooking small details such as fingerings, articulations, dynamics, and rhythm. Pay close attention to these elements and strive for accuracy in every aspect of your playing.
Slow It Down. Practicing slowly allows you to focus on …
Roadblock in Your Way?
We have all gotten to the point with a new tune when we felt like pulling our hair out … or putting it aside because we just can’t “get it.” But, at the same time, we like the tune so much we hate to give up on it. Research has shown that people get set in their ways, stick with the familiar, and do the same things the same way over and over. And this tendency can spill over into your dulcimer practice – bringing you to a dead stop at a roadblock. I have a few suggestions for getting around th…
Calming Techniques
Do you get nervous before a performance, or even a jam session. I do, and I have another performance coming up in 3 weeks. So I want to share a few calming techniques that can help you (and myself) manage anxiety and focus your mind before the event.
- Deep Breathing: Deep breathing exercises can significantly reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation: This technique involves tensing and then releasing each muscle group in your body, starting from your toes and…
Benefits of a Repertoire List
I played a concert for a group of seniors on September 9th – right between Labor Day and 9/11, the annual day of remembrance for the terrorist attack. The concert date wasn’t selected for that reason … it was just the normal 2nd Monday meeting date. But the playlist was a no-brainer for me. I just had to brush up on my patriotic repertoire list.
A repertoire list is a list of pieces that you have mastered and could confidently perform at any given time. It should include a variety of styles an…
It’s not the What, When, or Where! It’s the “How!”
I believe that It's the “how” you're practicing that makes a difference in the quality and effectiveness of your practice sessions. Simply going through the motions without focus or intentionality may not yield the desired results in terms of skill improvement and musical growth. Here are some key points to consider.
Focused practice: Concentrating on specific goals and areas of improvement during practice sessions can lead to more significant progress. Identify your weaknesses or challenging pas…
Try That Again, Slowly
Is there any benefit to playing something more slowly if you don’t have to? Absolutely! Actually, playing a tune at a slower tempo is sometimes more challenging that playing it at your normal speed. But it’s worth the effort and here are some of the benefits.
- Builds Muscle Memory: Slow practice allows your muscles to memorize the correct movements and positions.
- Improves Accuracy: Slowing down gives you the time to focus on hitting the correct notes, rhythms, and articulations.
- Enhan…
The 3 S’s of Learning Anything!
There are three words of advice that begin with the letter “S” that will apply to mastering anything you want to learn – not just learning to play the dulcimer.
- Schedule Regular Practice: Consistent practice is essential for improving your skills and mastering an instrument (or any hobby). Set aside dedicated time each day to practice, even if it's just for a short period. Regular practice helps build muscle memory, improve technique, and enhance overall musicality.
- Stick with It: Learn…
New Feature: Audio Enhancement
There is another new feature/tool in DulcimerCrossing and I made video to describe it to you!
Sometimes it helps to enhance the audio in our lessons or workshop archives.
Click the image above or
The "ear-shaped" icon is the tool which is available by the audio volume control of any audio or video in our site.
Try it out and let us know how it helps you! Who knows? Maybe this can assist you in learning to play by "ear."
ahem...
Steve Eulberg
Accountabili-buddies
Accountability
With any creative pursuit, accountability is a necessary and beneficial tool to keep us moving through our various creative processes so that we can actually help our imagination take shape in the world outside of our brains
This is also a word that can cause some of us to sort of slink away because it feels "too much like work" or "I feel guilty when I don't practice" or "I'm afraid I really can't DO this".
There have been times when I have heard those phrases passing through …
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