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Repetition: The Key to Learning
Many years ago when I was still teaching piano, there was a student who arrived on time but immediately confessed that she had not practiced at all that week. Aaaaarrrrgh! The first thought that went through my mind was that she was not only wasting her parents’ money, she was also wasting my time.
But then I decided there was actually a valuable way to use our time together. I told her that was fine, and let’s just use the lesson time as practice time. I told her I would be at my desk doing so…
It Takes Time & Patience
I may have already told you, our cocker spaniel Peachie is a rescue. She was owned by four breeders before we got her, and was obviously severely abused by at least one of them.
We agreed to meet her current breeder at the site of a popular lookout, and when we got there the lady opened up the back of her car to let Peachie out. Mike reached down to pet her, and she bit him! “Oh no,” he said. “This is not going to work. We can’t take this dog.” “Oh, please, Mike,” I said. “Just look at her … s…
The Power of Fellowship
The journey of learning to play a musical instrument is often solitary, demanding hours of practice and unwavering dedication. Yet, the power of fellowship – the shared experience and mutual support within a community of musicians – can profoundly impact this journey, transforming it from a lonely pursuit into an enriching and rewarding experience.
- Fellowship fosters motivation and perseverance. When surrounded by others striving towards similar goals, the feeling of isolation diminishes. W…
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 s…
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.
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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.
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Slow It Down. Practicing slowly allows you …
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.
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Focused practice: Concentrating on specific goals and areas of improvement during practice sessions can lead to more significant progress. Identify your weaknesses or challen…
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.
- Enhance…
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