Beginner stuff: Practicing
This is especially for those who have never done anything like guitar lessons before. You will need to get up to speed to succeed. Here's how:
(from an email to a beginner student)
Sound file work:
This email included a sound file to download and play on the students ipod or computer during practice sessions (see on my student site). A sheet music copy of this is will be either handed out or written in the students music book. The student is to listen to this to hear how it goes, imitate what they hear and play along with it when they can play it up to speed.
For best results, set up a "work station" at home. This is space dedicated to practice and guitar. It should be quiet and free of distractions. It should have your music stand at arms reach and eye level, your CD player/computer/mp3 player/ipod etc within arms reach and your amplifier nearby (if you use one).
Practice (see www.blakenix.org and look under "instruction" for more details)
At least 15 minutes a day five days out of the week the first few weeks. 20 minutes a session after that, make sure you get to each thing on your list, play each song piece or exercise no less than three times before you move on. Listen to the music I send you and try to imitate what you hear.
Once you have been taking lessons for a few months you should be practicing no less than 20 minutes a day and getting to each item on you list no less than four times. This is minimum. If you really want to sound good sooner and be comfortable playing (especially in lesson) you will want to do more.
Whole songs:
A whole rock song (3 minutes or more in length) can sometimes be played by repeating short sections several times, like Louie Louie.
A traditional melody or song like Happy Birthday or the Alphabet Song (aka Twinkle Twinkle) can be very short.
You will need to listen to learn how songs are played. Youtube is good for this. We'll talk about this more...
Here's more:
Do something every day, whether it's a few exercises or a few songs on an off day!
If you are really serious about it, you will need to practice every chance you get
Find time in your schedule, in between homework sports etc. 20 minutes is not a long time.
(from an email to a beginner student)
Sound file work:
This email included a sound file to download and play on the students ipod or computer during practice sessions (see on my student site). A sheet music copy of this is will be either handed out or written in the students music book. The student is to listen to this to hear how it goes, imitate what they hear and play along with it when they can play it up to speed.
For best results, set up a "work station" at home. This is space dedicated to practice and guitar. It should be quiet and free of distractions. It should have your music stand at arms reach and eye level, your CD player/computer/mp3 player/ipod etc within arms reach and your amplifier nearby (if you use one).
Practice (see www.blakenix.org and look under "instruction" for more details)
At least 15 minutes a day five days out of the week the first few weeks. 20 minutes a session after that, make sure you get to each thing on your list, play each song piece or exercise no less than three times before you move on. Listen to the music I send you and try to imitate what you hear.
Once you have been taking lessons for a few months you should be practicing no less than 20 minutes a day and getting to each item on you list no less than four times. This is minimum. If you really want to sound good sooner and be comfortable playing (especially in lesson) you will want to do more.
Whole songs:
A whole rock song (3 minutes or more in length) can sometimes be played by repeating short sections several times, like Louie Louie.
A traditional melody or song like Happy Birthday or the Alphabet Song (aka Twinkle Twinkle) can be very short.
You will need to listen to learn how songs are played. Youtube is good for this. We'll talk about this more...
Here's more:
Do something every day, whether it's a few exercises or a few songs on an off day!
If you are really serious about it, you will need to practice every chance you get
Find time in your schedule, in between homework sports etc. 20 minutes is not a long time.
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