Music … playing and teaching

StandUpFclef has moved to String Thing Music

Peace and good tunes

One of the favorite warm up exercises for me and my students is the “Crab Crawl”. It works well for both beginner and advanced guitar students.

The exercise is simple, starting on the 6 string (low E) we place our 1st finger behind the first fret and pluck, next the 2nd finger behind the second fret and pluck, then 3rd behind third fret, then 4th behind fourth fret. Next we repeat this sequence of 1st finger first fret 2nd finger second fret etc. on the 5 string (A), then on the 4 string (D), etc. When we have completed this forward pattern we will end up with our 4th finger on the fourth fret of the 1 string (high E). Next we shift our hand up the neck of the guitar 1/2 step. This now places our 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 1 string (high E). Staying in this position we reverse the exercise, 4th finger fifth fret, 3rd finger fourth fret, 2nd finger third fret etc. When we reach 1st finger second fret we now continue the same reverse pattern by moving our 4th finger to the fifth fret of the 2 string (B) and repeat the reverse motion of 4th finger, 3rd finger etc. When we have completed this reverse pattern across all six strings we will end up with the 1st finger on the second fret of the 6 string (low E) where we now shift up the neck of the guitar 1/2 step and start the forward pattern starting with the 1st finger on the third fret of the 6 string (low E).

I will vary the length of the crab crawl to accommodate the ability of the student. For my beginners we will do the crawl to when the last motion is the shift up the guitar neck of the 1st finger fifth fret of the 6 string (low E). My advanced students will perform this exercise up to the 12th fret and then reverse the pattern back down the neck.

When a student has become proficient at the crab crawl and can make the string changes and shifts smoothly I’ll add in the metronome. My students really enjoy measuring themselves to the metronome. We log their fastest beats per minute (bpm). The crab crawl must be performed smoothly and seamlessly between all strings and shifts for a bpm to be logged.  Regardless of my advanced students ability I always start this exercise out slow (100-120 bpm) to avoid injury. Once the hands and fingers are sufficiently warmed up we turn up the speed. The students get a real charge when they hit the “200 club”. My ongoing challenge is for the student to beat my best time. On a good day my crab crawl is clean at 400-420 bpm. I currently have two students that smoke me with a consistent 440 and up, and one knocking on my door at 380 bpm.

Peace and good tunes to you, D. Patrick

Keep a practice log. If you do not currently keep a log of your practice time start one. It can be as simple or in-depth as you wish. I started the habit of keeping a practice log during my college days. It was of great benefit to review the log every couple of months and see the progress on paper. To look back at when I started a particularly difficult piece and remember the struggle with the more difficult passages, and now, a few months later, was executing the music, was a great source of encouragement and inspiration. Start a log today and write in it every time you practice or rehearse. What do you have to lose, a minute or two? What do you have to gain? … My bet is a lot.

Peace and good tunes, D. Patrick

Science has shown that we absorb new information best during the first tens minutes of the study or activity. I suggest to all students that they will get way more out of their practice time if they do ten minutes a day 5 days a week as opposed to a one hour practice session one day a week (in a perfect world that would be ten minutes 3 times a day, once in the morning, once mid-day, and then again in the evening … but I’ll take ten minutes a day for 5 days with a big smile on my face). Practice tip #1 makes doing this daily routine easier.

Peace and good tunes, D. Patrick

Practice in an area with as few distractions as possible. Make sure the TV or stereo is turned off, and if possible the ringer on the phone as well. I am fortunate; I am able to practice in an area that has natural lighting from a fair sized picture window. Before you start relax for a moment, take a couple of cleansing breaths, and try to clear your mind of any outside thoughts. Take 30 seconds and look at your music or lesson, hear it and visualize it in your head … there, you’re ready … have a great practice.

Peace and good (practice) tunes to you, D. Patrick

Whenever possible have your instruments out of its case. An instrument kept in its case is “out of sight out of mind.” It would be preferable to have it on a good guitar or violin/viola or cello stand. Make sure it is somewhere safe but highly visible. Then dang-it, every day you walk by your instrument for the third time pick it up and play it!

Peace and good tunes to you, D. Patrick

Have A Practice Plan

It is vital to have a practice plan. In the day (1965) my practice plan was strict. Half-hour a day, six days a week, signed by your parents, miss one day and “you’re out kid … I don’t have time for you if you don’t practice.”

I was lucky. My teacher was strict but good. He gave me a practice plan. It was simple. Five minuets of scales, ten minuets of technique, ten minutes of etude or current piece, then ending with five minutes of my choice.

As a teacher today (2008) I realize that to be that strict would turn a lot of kids (and parents) off. So I don’t use the “… or you’re out” routine. True, fear is a powerful motivator, but I would much rather rely on positive reinforcement. When we consider how busy kids can be these days, sports (don’t get me started), computer time, etc., my suggested practice plan is simple:

In a perfect world, one half-hour a day as listed above (minus the threat).

In a realistic world I shoot for fifteen minutes four days a week. Two minuets scales, two minutes technique, six minutes etude or piece, ending with five minuets students’ choice. If you can get the parent involved with a timer that would go a long way in helping the younger ones to practice. Mom or dad get to be the audience, and the child will more then likely enjoy the attention.

Piece and good tunes, D. Patrick