Q&A Lesson: Practicing Music and Reaching Higher Levels

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

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[@bertaga41]

For a long time I struggled with awful tension every time I playedfind no way to free myself of this problem then one day I tried turning on the radio and leaving it playing a talking channel but with the volume and I was very pleased to notice that a lot of my tension just evaporated I wouldn't recommend this for every time you but if you find yourself locked in tension like I was it surprisingly effective. I found it very helpful for pieces I knew but was hampered ny this same tesion.

[@davidmiller3927]

Thank you. That was great information. When I am happy that I have accomplished a piece I make a KZbin video of it. I share with my family and friends (not everybody!). Funny how nervous I get when I am making a video of myself. The nervousness grows as I get closer to the end of the piece without crashing and burning. Often, I will mess up in the last few measures. Anyway, that is how I assess whether I have gotten a piece down. I think it is good practice to learn how to play under a little pressure, too.

[@AlanMcCarthyguitar]

i can identify hugely with you ! a good tip i was told is to really work on the end of the piece once its all learned ,the idea being as you play through it you get more confident rather than less , so practicing it all backwards , we tend to practice from the start . also to combat those last few measures concentrate on the music I was told too , dont get all worried about which finger goes where rather than thinking of expression , dynamics or a rall etc , but def working extra hard on the ending does help me

[@davidmiller3927]

@@AlanMcCarthyguitar Good idea. I will give that a try.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Relaxation is part of muscle memory, practice relaxing at the ends of phrases throughout the piece. Even if you are relaxed at home or just practicing, work in the act of relaxation throughout the piece so that you feel you are starting from the beginning for each phrase.

[@KarenEstfny]

Thanks for the video!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching Karen!

[@ww3032]

Thanks for the lesson! More of such lessons would be great! Have a great weekend!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

More to come, the next Q&A is on technique!

[@mrMinstrel]

Perfect timing...you'll never guess what I was doing when you mentioned practicing 'technique' while watching a video [movie]. Great tips and guidance...many thanks!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Original Total Recall?

[@andythedev42]

Hey, just wanted to say thank you for the great stuff you're doing. I play electric guitar ( mostly metal) but decided to devote some time to classical guitar to break the mold. Your videos are extremely helpful. Keep up the good work!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks so much, ya I think there is plenty to learn from classical guitar and vice versa, metal players do some amazing stuff too.

[@patsorenson5706]

HI Brad, thanks for a great Q&A session. Which scale book were you referring to- was it the Aaron Shearer Scale Pattern Studies for Guitar Supplement, or something else?

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Yes, the Shearer you mentioned. It's pretty boring but 5 minutes a day is great

[@rogar3763]

Hi, I'm following your method books. I finished the first one and am now on the second one. I also bought the technique book. I have a question: you recommend to use the left pinky when playing a piece, I thought one was supposed to use a finger for each fret, i.e. I finger on first fret, M finger on the second, A finger on the third fret and pinky on the fourth fret. I'm using the pinky to play the G and D notes as you recommend, but find then that my A finger doesn't do anything when I improvise. Please clarify. Thanks a lot.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

I have a video and lesson about it: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/lesson-using-4th-finger-beginners/

[@rogar3763]

Thanks much. Since I don't have a teacher, I wander around somewhat method-less, reading this book and that book and the other book until I found your course. I have been now studying it as my only source of learning. Please keep up the great videos and dedication.

[@zeventric8560]

Professor can you make lesson on Un dia de Noviembre ? i want to play it for my Exam

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Good suggestion, it might be awhile though as I have a bit of a backlog for lessons.

[@zeventric8560]

@@Thisisclassicalguitar Thank you Professor

[@bravacanay6428]

improvisation sets you free...the ability to speak your instrument is the missing element for most, and sets others apart...

[@MrUrech]

Yeah and to be able to sing what you're about to play, no guessing

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Yes and yes!

[@MrUrech]

@@Thisisclassicalguitar thankyou buddy

[@rickholzer708]

For me, techniques are a kind of necessary MEDITATION, SO YOU BECOME THE INSTRUMENT...When you are planting fingers you have to prepare your body to reach the right string, prepare your mind to calculate time and prepare the emotional control to make the sounds to be equalized, since each string sound differend...120 exercises by Giuliani are not so simple as you may think...it is not enough to play it on time....you have to feel it....and this a meditation process...your videos on planting are something that should be teached, but feel people do it as teachers or student....a beginner should stay on the first 3 Giuliani's 120 for more than a week....