Sometimes when we are learning a new piece of music, we realize the progress we are making isn’t as fast as we would like it to be. Sometimes the ... Read More The post Slow Progress? How to Learn a Piece of Music and Make Progress Faster appeared first on Resound School of Music.
Sometimes when we are learning a new piece of music, we realize the progress we are making isn’t as fast as we would like it to be. Sometimes the progress is just slow.
This is a common struggle that a lot of students and musicians can have. But there are some tips and tricks to getting through those moments. Your music will be completed and also sounding good!
Table of contents
1. Pick the Right Music
The first step is picking the right sheet music for yourself that is appropriate for your current playing level. We want to pick something that isn’t so easy you could learn it in a day. However, if the music is way above your current level and too challenging it can take too long to learn, and lead to discouragement.
2. Listen to Recordings
No matter what instrument you are playing, this works for everyone. Find a good recording of what it is that you want to learn and listen to it before your practice sessions until you have a good idea of the way most of the music goes. I would also listen to more than one recording so you can pick out what aspects you like most and create a version that is all your own.
3. Keep Up with Technique
It really helps to learn music faster when you are keeping up the technical aspects of your playing. For example:
- Scales
Keep practicing your scales, arpeggios and chords regularly. Play them at different speeds, fast and slow letting every note sink in and get memorized. This will build your finger strength and speed. - Sight Reading
Get lots of easy books and/or printouts to start with and work on your note reading/playing, optimally each week. The better your sight reading is, the easier it will be for you to learn new music quickly. The key is getting new material in front of you often.
4. Practice Sessions
It is better to start with shorter practice sessions than longer ones. Try to get in more shorter sessions more frequently throughout the week, as opposed to doing a longer session that is 1 or 2 hours long, once a week. If you are on a piano you can practice hands separately and then hands together later. Work through 2 to 4 measures at a time until they are almost perfect before moving on and adding more measures.
5. Diving into the Music
An easy way to learn a song faster is by going slowly and taking your time with it. Realize that the work still needs to be done and there is no shortcut to learning a new piece. But you can get through faster if you do the right things. Work on small sections each day.
Don’t Skip the Hard Parts
Identify the most challenging parts of the piece and isolate them. Practice those sections repeatedly at a slow speed before gradually speeding them up. If there’s a particularly tricky transition, focus on it until you can execute it smoothly.
6. Practice AWAY from Your Instrument
Try and do the finger movements for your song while you are away from your instrument. This can help build your muscle memory. It also helps with internalizing the music in your brain.
Study your sheet music away from the instrument as well, helping you get closer to the music on the page without being distracted by playing.
Why is Learning to Play a Song Taking so Long?
- Trying to learn too much too fast.
- Only working on one piece of music for months.
- Hitting a roadblock/challenge, and giving up on completing the piece.
Solutions to the above
- Work in smaller sections
- Always try to learn smaller easier pieces on the side to improve your abilities.
- Enjoy the journey of all the practice that goes into getting the finished piece.
- Embrace the challenges and learn the proper techniques to get you through tough parts.
- SLOW PRACTICE
Visualize
When you are away from your instrument, you can visualize yourself playing your piece of music perfectly. Try visualizing yourself on a stage, or during a performance for other people. This can help with your own self inspiration, giving you the vision of yourself at the end of your journey with this piece.
Taking Care of Your Body
It is important to take care of your body in order to have an optimal learning experience with your instrument.
- Take Naps
Taking a nap during the day to help learn a new piece faster is something I started doing a long time ago. You can practice, then after taking the nap it is like you are starting a brand new day. Then you practice again. Now you’ve got in 2 sessions in one day with a clear and refreshed mind each time. - Take Frequent Breaks
I recommend doing multiple short practices in one day. Taking breaks is crucial. During those breaks it will disrupt and break the patterns that your body has become accustomed to during your practices. Then you can come back to the next practice session refreshed, and then you can really test what you have retained. - Drink Water
Stay hydrated. Improve your focus by drinking water, and keep your mind fresh for music. You will have less distractions while learning if your body has what it needs. The same goes for… - Food
Don’t practice on an empty stomach. Practicing your music can be tiring and draining to your body because you are so focused on what you are doing. Don’t let being hungry be a distraction for you.
Conclusion
In the end, learning a new piece of music can come with some challenges. Overcoming these challenges can be very rewarding. Not just for us but the people around us listening to the wonderful music we learned, and share.
If we are diligent about the way we practice, we can find a way to make it to the finish line much easier.
The post Slow Progress? How to Learn a Piece of Music and Make Progress Faster appeared first on Resound School of Music.
