Music Information

Repetition is the Key to Learning Something Deeply


Repetition is the key to learning something deeply. It works most effectively when you are isolating a small amount of material, because the object of your focus will be more specific.

When you have the correct chord movement for part of an exercise or tune under you hands, repeat it continuously until is flows. You should notice a gradual increase in your comfort level as you continue repetitions, eventually remove your eyes from both the music and the keys, and keep repeating until the movements seem easy. This activity is especially important for problem spots in harmonic exercise or tunes.

Try to have your hands in position, actually touching the notes before you strike a chord. This will reinforce your "hand memory" of the chord's shape. When you are ready to play the chord, lift your hands an inch or two and drop the full weight of your hands on the keys, going to the bottom of the key bed.

At first, you probably will miss some notes, and that is OK; simply make the necessary corrections and continue with more repetitions, keeping that feeling of dropping. This will achieve a fuller sound, and your hands will learn the shape of the chords much more quickly and securely.

Recite the chord roots as you play an exercise or drill chords. This will keep you aware of what you are playing, especially when you work with rootless voicings. As you repeat a progression over and over, make a conscious note of the chord structure (i.e. root-7-3-5) which you are manipulating. This will reinforce your understanding and hearing of the harmony.

Whenever your hands need to leave the keys to start at a new location (i.e. practicing an individual voicing or ii-V7-I progression around the key circle), release the chord immediately, rather than sustaining it. This will give you extra time (metronome clicks/drum sounds) to reset your hands for the new key.

To your success,

Mr. Ron
http://www.mrronsmusic.com

Ron Worthy is a Music Educator and Performer. He provides an online piano instruction program for all ages. He offers proven tips, tools and tactics (that anyone can learn) to play Rock, Pop, Blues, R&B and Smooth Jazz Piano.


MORE RESOURCES:

BBC News

New York Music Examiner
Examiner.com - 1 hour ago
... Polow Da Don, Rodney Jerkins, DJ Montay, Ne-Yo, Espen Lind, Amund Bjorklund, Kanye West, T-Pain, and Universal Music Publishing Group.
Michael Jackson snubs family reunion Times of India
Jacksons reunite at BMI Urban Awards The Associated Press
BMI Honors The Jacksons, T-Pain and Many More at Urban Awards in ... MarketWatch
eFluxMedia - Urban Network
all 243 news articles


Dallas Symphony Orchestra's new music director takes the stage ...
Dallas Morning News, TX - 6 hours ago
By SCOTT CANTRELL / The Dallas Morning News Jaap van Zweden conducts his first local concerts as music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra: a ...
Impressed with its vision for future, Doug Adams returns to Dallas ... Dallas Morning News
all 8 news articles


Classical music preview: Big names take the baton
Chicago Sun-Times, United States - 4 hours ago
Pioneer, mystic, devout Roman Catholic, birdsong collector, organist, teacher, composer and technical explorer, Messiaen has in music and example influenced ...
Bernard Haitink garners appreciation from Chicago Symphony ... Chicago Tribune
all 2 news articles


8 classical music events from Bernstein to Galway
Newsday, NY - 6 hours ago
14 appearance of the Philharmonic at Carnegie under music director- designate Alan Gilbert. There will be films, lectures, panel discussions - exhausting, ...
LI says 'I do' to 'Wedding Singer' and 8 other shows Newsday
all 2 news articles


CLASSICAL MUSIC + DANCE FALL CALENDAR
Kansas City Star, MO - 10 hours ago
(913-469-8500, Ext. 3605) BRENTANO STRING QUARTET: Friends of Chamber Music. 8 pm Oct. 3. Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th. www.chambermusic.org (816-561-9999) ...


MUSIC FALL CALENDAR
Kansas City Star, MO - 10 hours ago
MOTORHEAD WITH THE MISFITS, AIRBOURNE, VALIANT THOR AND YEAR LONG DISASTER: 7 pm Sept. 7. Harrah’s Casino, VooDoo Lounge, One Riverboat Drive, North Kansas ...


ABC News

Kanye West to Close Video Music Awards
New York Times, United States - Sep 5, 2008
The hip-hop star Kanye West will be the closing act at the 25th annual MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, The Associated Press reported. ...
Brand vows to 'pinch' Britney at VMAs Times of India
Kim Stolz’s VMA Red-Carpet Preshow Preview MTV.com
TV tonight: Five worth watching Toronto Star
The Press Association - Telegraph.co.uk
all 1,321 news articles


Music’s breaking out all over
Arkansas Online (subscription), AR - 4 hours ago
Our selected list of highdes a number of shows in Fayetteville, which seems ewed energy on the music front. North Little lltel Arena will still be a big ...


News & Observer

Music in his head
News & Observer, NC - 3 hours ago
He jots in a softcover journal filled with five-line staff, sketching the music that is inside his head. Then he waits. Weeks, sometimes months, just "keep ...


How Ventura music fest supports conservation
Ventura County Star, CA - 6 hours ago
By Stephen Svete The Ventura Hillsides Music Festival will be Saturday, from 1 to 5 pm at Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura. Doors will open at 11:30 am General ...
Come, dance for peace in Ventura Ventura County Star
all 2 news articles

Music - Google News

home | site map
© 2006