Practice Tip 12: Music Lessons for Every Instrument
Pointers for practicing every musical instrument are discussed in this blog. What little tricks should you remember when you are frustrated with a difficult phrase of music? These pointers are a musical gift! Take the practicing hard spots quiz below. Read and internalize the next several lessons for practicing hard spots.
Vary Rhythm Patterns
When practicing slowly doesn’t seem to help conquer a hard phrase, try varying rhythm patterns.
Certain phrases can seem like road blocks. You can play most of a piece, but you have practiced one phrase over and over and over and over. You just can’t play it correctly with the right rhythm or up to speed. It’s a tongue twister or a finger twister. You want to give up. There are several techniques for practicing that can help you get it. With a little patience, try them one at a time until you get it right.
Practicing in rhythm patterns is one technique to try. make up various rhythm patterns for this hard phrase, playing it differently than written. Try to play it alternating the notes short long, short long, short long. Play it with the reverse rhythm: long, short, long short, long short. Play it in triplets. Play it all slurred. Play it without slurs or even with slurs in different places. Perhaps you might substitute one note with a rest. This will help trip your brain out of it’s hang up rut. It will surprise you, the way thinking about the phrase can change in your mind and fingers.
Remember to always practice with a metronome.
Good luck. Let me know how this works in the comments below and Happy Practicing!
