Musical Practice FAQ

Q: How do I play faster? 

A: Practice 20% slower, focusing on perfect execution and repetition. Increase your tempo gradually, but only within the range of perfect execution, hold until fatigued, then slow it down again. Rinse, Repeat.

Q: I have problems with my timing, is this an issue?

A: Yes, a major issue. Rhythm is the basic building block of all music. Bad rhythm is usually what makes bad musicians sound bad. The rhythmic element is what listeners immediately connect with instinctually and intrinsically.  It has been said that you can play “wrong notes”, but if you play them with conviction and in time, the ear will accept them.

Q: How do I fix it? 

A: Get with a metronome and use it.  It will take some getting used to as you are more than likely very accustomed to relying on your (imperfect) own sense of time. You must break this and become comfortable with playing to an outside (perfect) sense of time while making minute adjustments to your execution.  Start slow, be patient and get comfortable. Try to make the metronome “Feel good” and become part of the music. The more you do this, the better your own sense of time will become and in turn, your rhythmic execution will follow.   

Q: How do I learn to improvise?

A: The simplest way to go about this is to start small and with repetitive ideas and then try to expand on those ideas by incorporating small variations on the elements (rhythmic, melodic or harmonic if your instrument allows). You can just put on your favorite tracks and find your way around, gravitating to what you think sounds good, or you can take a more deliberate and targeted approach. Try improvising over a drone, which grounds you somewhat, while still giving you vast freedom over tonality. Try the same idea with just a metronome. You can also find a trove of great sounding backing tracks in specific key centers to play over on YouTube. The full arrangement often provides additional inspiration.