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Triple The Speed Of Your Learning – How To Acquire Reliable Technique (now)

By Mike Hayes | July 2, 2010

If asked almost any guitarist how they were progressing on guitar
most would tell you “pretty good”, some would say “terrible” and
the remaining group would answer they “haven’t got a clue”. I
have the up most respect for the “haven’t got a clue” group
because really it’s the most honest answer.

Even though guitarists become involved with all sorts of guitar
‘activities’ they rarely have any accurate way of measuring their
progress; their technical ability generally fluctuates between
basic (or practically non-existent) to average depending on their
current music projects i.e., if most of their work involves
playing a few power chords in a group that’s the type of
technique they will currently have until some other role is
thrust upon them.

The way to overcome this issue and develop a reliable technique
regardless of your performance responsibilities is to practice
with a metronome and keep an accurate daily metronome log to
track your progress.

Here’s three ways you can use a metronome to build a solid,
reliable technique on guitar.

Concept 1: Speed is a by product of accuracy – always keep the
following points in mind as you practice.

Remember: practice itself does not make perfect, rather PERFECT
practice makes perfect!

(a) Start slowly and gradually build up speed

(b) Stress rhythmic evenness and flawless execution, make certain
you play the string (left and right hand) at the same time. No
flams!

(c) Make a BIG deal out of each note.

(d) The first mistake is a warning sign, stop and visualize the
note/scale played perfectly then play the exercise the way you
wish you had.

(e) Remember you are in charge of quality control; mistakes breed
instantly and will turn up whenever you are performing under
pressure.

Concept 2: Maintain a metronome log – draw up a simple metronome
log which is essentially a six-day-a-week dairy where you track
your guitar technique.

The idea is to practice daily for six consecutive days a week
then have one day off from your technical practice to let your
muscles recover, you can still play guitar on the seventh day,
just don’t do any technical stuff.

Your target is to increase your speed by 12 metronome beats per
week, you may not be able to do this for a start, that’s fine but
your mind needs a target, and that’s our target; use your
metronome to track your progress.

Important: Don’t set your metronome and try and keep up with it
that will only result in inaccurate playing and mistakes rather
use the metronome to track your daily results.

Concept 3: Reliable technique as a permanent reflex capability.

Once you can maintain your present maximum technique for a twenty
one day period that technique will be affixed in your nervous
system a a permanent reflex capability, which means you can go
for long periods without playing, but with about two to three
weeks practice you will regain your full technique.

Performance under pressure is the name of the game, if you
practice slowly and accurately you will play accurately under
pressure, if you practice mistakes you will play mistakes it’s as
simple as that.

A strong, reliable technique will give you a new sense of
confidence in your playing so take great care building your
technique you’ll be glad you did.

Topics: Guitar Fretboard, Technique | No Comments »

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