Getting started with the metronome
…and the stages that we go through as we learn to use it.
I can hear some of you at the eye-gym having a roll all the way into the back of your head at the sound of the word metronome. Yeah, I know, we all go through a bunch of stages in our relationship with the metronome in our musical journey. I see it all the time, and I’ve been there myself - let’s talk about it.
How to learn difficult parts in music easily - break it down!
This is my most suggested practice strategy that I go over with students, and also one that I think we tend to forget about the most when we’re faced with a difficult passage in our music:
Disassemble the passage to its most basic form, and then build it back up piece by piece.
Thoughts from a recovering perfectionist: don’t forget the good when you critique yourself
When someone asks you to reflect on a performance or playing in a lesson or practice or rehearsal - you go straight to what can be improved, right? It feels so weird, maybe a little boastful to mention anything you liked about whatever the situation was, right? Try acknowledging what went well, because we don’t level up unless something goes well.
Practice Tips: Trills versus Counting - who will win? (spoiler alert: it’s you!)
You’re playing in band, on a really long trill, but suddenly you’ve completely lost count as to where you are in the long high note wiggle - oh no. OH NO.
Keep reading to get some helpful tips to combat this!
Practice tips: Late off of ties or rests? Try these.
Late coming off of a tie or a rest and playing the rhythm incorrectly or rushing to get back on beat? Add these to your practice toolbox to help you with these kinds of habits.
Sight-Reading Tips for Musicians
I’ve grown to love sight-reading, so here are some of my favourite tips!
Thoughts from a recovering perfectionist: mistakes
The music lesson is one of the prime places to make the mistake.
Why?
If we don’t hear/witness/become aware of a problem, we can’t diagnose and find solutions that work for you.