The Practice of Practice Book Discussion
This book has come up time and time again, and @Nate Savage's recent mention of it led me to this Post. I have it on my kindle, and started by reading it like a novel. But since it had a lot of great information, I started it over and began to read it like a textbook. I'll pass on the notes I took as I read it here for the Fam to kick around. I admit here I haven't read it in awhile, but hoping if we get a discussion going it will provide an incentive for us all.
Chapter 1- Active Listening- "If you can't sing it, you can't play it". Have to admit, I get it, but this didn't really resonate with me. There are songs I can sing and can't play, that's for sure!
Chapters 2-3. All about going slow. Go slow enough so errors are avoided. Proper strategy is to fix mistakes immediately. Technique for fixing errors is based on your ability to perceive the error.
Chapter 4- Practice slowly enough to avoid mistakes-if you're making any mistakes at all you're going too fast. A guitar teacher has a way of knowing if someone is practicing too fast-they recognize the song! Objective is to practice slowly enough so mistakes are impossible.
This part hits home. As I re watch some of Nate's videos, he stressed going slow in every one. As a raw beginner watching them, I'm sure I heard Nate say that, but I certainly didn't listen. Those early mistakes still haunt me today 2+ years later. Although I sometimes wonder if you need a certain amount guitar experience, or seasoning to even realize the error of your ways. Now I realize I've improved, though I'm far from accomplished. But I certainly think I understand Guitar at a level far beyond my clueless early days. I recognize the importance of practicing slowly now. I had no idea how important it was then. FYI, @J.Rod has spoken of this eloquently and often, in regards to his own history.
Hope this all made sense. I'll leave it here, to be continued I hope.
And 1 technique doesn’t always work every time.