Is Practicing Too Slowly Making You WORSE?!

[@jazzguitarneophyte-christo7988]

Hi Diego. I am hobbyist studying jazz guitar, I also once as a child took some classical lessons and boy those few lessons stuck! I look up to classical players due to the discipline in practicing the instrument and pieces they play. I've been ghost watching your videos for quite some time now and am really impressed at you approach! I also LOVE the fact that you correlate the guitar and how to practice with actual studies out there. Heck you inspired me that I took the classical guitar out of its case and now I started revisiting and re-learning entry level pieces again. I also use classical pieces to practice reading music. Sight reading is another animal I hope I someday tackle but for now, just being able to read music and apply it in my instrument is helping me a lot. I have now subscribed to your channel and looking forward to your next videos! Cheers!

[@DenisChangMusic]

Nice video! Those studies you cited are interesting!

[@atomic432]

Thanks Diego. Very helpful. I am one who practices top slow and will take this information to heart. I am noe almost 85 and think slower than years ago. So this video is really helpful to me. Thanks again.

[@visog]

Interesting analysis - clearly explained.

[@billyvitale8994]

Great video. Thanks! I think the statement everyone is different is important..but the content of this video is extremely valuable even in that context. One thing that I would want to mention is that the focus is different when practicing slow vs. playing at ones desired tempo...in other words a key distinction is practice vs playeing ..when you are playing you are focused on expression....you should know tge peice or know what you are playing almost instinctively your focus is on execution and delivery if you will. When practicing you are focused on learning, efficiency, technique. Practice provides the foundation that enables exexution of what you want to express.

[@tobiasnilsson8934]

Thanks a lot! Appreciates all of your content! Very importent and helpful! Greetings! //Tobias

[@geoffreygriffiths1487]

I use a version metronome method you eluded to near the end. I start by finding a comfortable speed I can play accurately at then set the metronome about 6 beats slower to start, then I play it at the comfortable speed, then I increase the speed by about 6 beats faster than I feel comfortable playing at. I increase the beats as I improve. I find that as I learn a piece this method exposes weak areas in my playing so I can then isolate that bar or phrase for more concentrated work. I analyze the problem and focus on a solution to it, ie. rhythm, fingering left or right hand, et al. This is based on studies that have shown we improve when we challenge ourselves by creating change. It is the change that gives us the greatest improvement. The best analogy I have read about practise is one that compares our synapse development to an explorer traversing a jungle. The first time cutting their way through with a machete leaves little trace behind the explorer as the jungle rapidly grows in behind them. But, if they turn around and go back cutting their way through they leave a more permanent path, and if this is done constantly they create a very wide and strong highway that is more or less permanent.

[@ReneBang]

Thanks for this video. It is very helpful as I have just started playing acoustic guitar (3 months). From my humble experience on this subject, by keeping a slow tempo I strengthen both my brain and my muscle memory. For me, muscle memory in particular is an important part of avoiding injuries, especially in terms of training finger, hand, and arm placement. That being said, I have found that I personally do best when I alternate between fast and slow tempos. In a way, I use returning to slow training as a form of self-punishment for not succeeding with the normal tempo. :)

[@andrewchaikovskiy7921]

I had a situation where I was practicing rasgueado abanico slowly, but when I tried to speed up, it didn’t work at all. It only worked when I focused on making it sound like the guitarists who do it well.

[@jfo3000]

Good advice here!

[@GKganesan]

Thank you

[@TheHesseJames]

OK, on your intro I thought you are flexing with this demonstration on "slow practice".

[@neana9597]

I was just practicing lol. I was thinking about this very topic! How ironic I see this 33 minutes later. I am essentially teaching myself how to play electric, acoustic, and bass guitar (I would so LOVE to learn classical but I have to slow down lol). I want to build good practice habits because it's my dream to master these instruments. At the moment, to keep me motivated and practicing, I have been using Hal Lenoard Aerobics books. As I explained, I am teaching myself, so I feel his books could be good grounds to start. In regards to this video, I've heard that you should start slow but I lose focus. I try to turn up the speed but once it gets too fast I go back to practicing slower. Fortunately, I do see the benefits of practicing slower. I can hear each note better and I can concentrate on both hands. On the other hand, I like fast because I feel like it speeds my cognitive thinking up. For some reason practicing slower makes me feel "dumb". This video is really helpful!

[@00vTv00]

Use a metronome and count the beats,....at first, go as slow as you need to learn without errors, then speed up the metronome as you progress: you will learn fastest this way.

[@stevenbastien9028]

These studies may or may not be relevant for guitar players. Both throwing and hitting in sports involve the well-known "transition move" needed for speed and power. Mastering the transition move to gain power is critical in sports, but not at all useful for playing guitar.

[@monsterram6617]

If anything, guitar youtube videos are making people worse.

[@thewrongbike7709]

I'm watching instead of playing. 😞