STUDENT NEWSLETTER 9 April
2006
Greetings! I hope this letter finds you all happy, and healthy.
You all know how I preach about the "trying it tomorrow phenomenon"? Your brain processes information while you sleep at night. I have been teaching that for twenty years. And now scientist agree! Check it out:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/03/060329085308.htm
From guitar lesson number one: The perfect practice session would be divided in three equal parts. The first part is repetitions. Drills. There is a number with your name on it. It is the number of times you will need to repeat a new movement before you will have it committed to automatic memory. That number of reps gets bigger as we get older. Self taught people eventually hit their number, but it may take them years. We can nail down new things much faster with our daily repetitions. Do this first and think of it as warming up. Then devote one third of your practice time to learning one new thing. A new chord, scale, pattern, phrase....Keeping in mind that your brain is a memory muscle you want to program in the new move slowly and deliberately to make sure you do it perfectly. If it is a chord play one string at a time making sure the string rings clearly before playing the next. If it does not ring clear find out why and fix it before proceeding. Once you have done it one time perfectly; STOP! Do not play it again. Let your brain process the perfect new movement. Sleep on it and notice how easy it is the next day. I call that the trying it tomorrow phenomenon. Spend the last third of your guitar time having fun. Playing your songs. Jamming to the Jam Alongs. Recording. Writing originals. Planning your big show. Having fun is the most important part, but it is the first two that will make you a better guitar player in the shortest amount of time. If you do not love to practice you will hate the way you sound.
Remember?
Guitar student Pat was doing a show in Florida last week when two little kids ran up to her and started touching her guitar in the middle of her performance. My first impression was there were not enough bouncers present to prevent fanatic fans from rushing the stage. Then after seeing the picture below there was the revaluation that this was THE moment when two people discovered guitar for the first time. Notice the look of intense wonder in their faces.
You can not force a kid to like music. Few will have the desire to practice. But when you notice a child having interest in music please do what you can to help them. You can never start too young on this joyous journey of a lifetime. I was five when the guitar bug bit me.
I have bought every bit of my new gear from MusiciansFriend.com for the past five years. Best prices, selection, and return policy there is. AND they bring it to your door! If you click thru to MUSICIANS FRIEND .com from this web site to buy something, I get an advertising credit and it does not cost you a penny extra! Musicians Friend is where I get all my new gear.
Always Stay Tuned. A lot is going on around here!
Rock On,
Joe "TheGuitarman" Pacciano, C.G.P.
86 43