In the listening room: Using sound files Pt 1

It is very important to listen carefully to the music you are trying to play.  We can learn the language of music in a very similar way to the way we learn any other language, by practicing and imitating.  In this way we learn how others who can speak the language use the words and phrases we want to be able to use.  At first we may not have the skills to repeat what we hear exactly, similar to how a child can't speak the words correctly or how someone learning a new language can't pronounce the words correctly.  By listening to someone who can do it right we can learn these skills.

When you practice and you are first learning a song:

1)  Listen carefully to the sound file I provide, likely repeated listens are necessary.  If you can hum or sing the melody you are trying to play you likely will be able to learn it faster.

2) Pause the recording

3)  Try to play what you hear like you hear it,  try to imitate the phrasing or rhythm of the notes.

Repeat!   Repeat until you improve or can play it better.  The more you do this the better you will get and the faster you will get better.  To sum up:

1)  Play   (the recording)

2)  Pause  (the recording)

3)  Practice (what you are listening to without the recording)

Have fun!  When you are finished learning the song, enjoy your new skills and get ready to learn another song!