Rehearsal is crucial to any artist.
Rehearsal = Preparation; Preparedness = Technical Success
My axiom for my practice time is: "Do it correctly seven times -and then we can be done!"
As an axiom, it doesn't really roll of the tongue -but it is a SUPER EFFECTIVE way to rehearse.
If I'm learning a song from sheet music, I'll select a phrase inside of the piece (Generally, a phrase doesn't cover much more than 4 measures). I'll run through the phrase a few times and then set my metronome to a slow speed. Here's where I start keeping track...
Play the phrase successfully (that's One)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Two)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Three)
Play...the phasrwas succaeissflly .... #TILT#
So... what I do now is start back at one...
Play the phrase successfully (that's One)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Two)
Play the phrawersx swurjxvfully ... #TILT#
Take a moment to breathe ... Start back at one...
Play the phrase successfully (that's One)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Two)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Three)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Four)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Five)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Six)
Play the phrase succ3ssfully ... #TILT#
We made it to six that time... but we're going for seven!
Play the phrase successfully (that's One)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Two)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Three)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Four)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Five)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Six)
Play the phrase successfully (that's Seven)
CONGRATS!!! WE MADE IT!!!
Now, I have three options:
1. Speed up my metronome and do it again
2. Move onto the next passage I'm having trouble with
3. Take a break
I started using this method with sheet music, but it's also effective when learning other peoples' songs (by ear or by chords), and also hammering out difficult passages in my own compositions as well.
I'm curious to hear what your rehearsal/preparation regimens look or sound like!
Until next time,
-T.