January Content

1. Build Strong Foundations

Music is made up of foundational elements like scales, chords, timing, etc. We need to work to improve our command of these elements. Practice scales and picking exercises that match the song you are working on. For example, if you are diving into "Over the Waterfall" on banjo in the melodic style, you should practice your D major melodic scales and workouts as a warmup before working on the tune.
Here's a link to D Major Melodic scales and workouts for banjo.

If you are working on the single string version of Over the Waterfall for banjo, make sure to practice single string picking hand foundations. This is a great single string warmup for your fretting and picking hands and This single string mini-course will take you even further.

2. Develop Exercises from a Song

Sometimes we can take a measure of a song, or a piece of a measure, and practice that repeatedly to master a technique that's being used in a song. Another interesting approach would be to play only the pick hand component in a measure. This allows you to focus completely on the challenges going on with picking. You'll be playing only open strings, and able to focus more completely on the challenges with the pick hand. You can also mute or dampen the strings to just focus on the feeling and sound of the initial "moment of attack", when the picks strike the strings. Check out the banjo section of the video for a demonstration of this during the single string rundown of Over the Waterfall. The concept can be applied to any stringed instrument, and can really help to boost your skills.

3. Sing or Speak the Lyrics While Playing

This can be applied to the melody or when playing chords. Singing the lyrics can help boost your memory and musicality in a natural way. Changes in the melody and lyrics can also serve as "guideposts", giving you cues of when it is time to change notes or change chords. Pay attention to the lyrics in the tablature to see how they connect to melodic or chordal changes. You'll be able to see and hear how they "line up". Get a more detailed overview of this process in the mandolin and guitar section of the video above.

You should always learn the melody when you have the chance. Do this first by repeated listening to understand how it is supposed to sound. Make sure to listen to artist's original recordings frequently too.
Here's the melody for Walk on Boy on mandolin.

Whatever instrument you play, learn the melody. Sing or speak the words as you play the melody notes, and also as you go through the chord changes. It really helps!

4. Take Micro Breaks

We all need rest. Build that into your practice. Instead of taking only big breaks when you feel physically or mentally tired, build in repeated 5-10 second breaks. For example, when practicing a scale, play it ascending and descending twice. Then for 5-10 seconds, stop. Breathe. Relax the muscles in your arms and hands. Prepare to play it again, making sure you are still relaxed, and then repeat the process. This can really be a great aid and approach when trying to increase speed, but it will be beneficial for players of all levels.

5. Practice Reading

As you are reading these words, whose voice are you hearing? Can you almost imagine the sound? This is called audiating, or using your "auditory imagination". As you get more familiar with the sounds your instrument makes, tablature, or even traditional notation, you will begin to "hear" the music you read. It's really incredible. It's also a form of practice you should start sooner rather than later. Even if you can't "hear" what you are reading, think through it. Try to mentally map out the strings and frets you will need to play. You can familiarize yourself with a song before ever touching your instrument. It will help you prepare for a new song, refresh an old one, or understand complex passages.

6. Listen!

Listening is practice. Listen in Tunefox. Listen at a slow speed so you can understand "what's being said". You should also listen repetitively to the whole song to try and memorize what the song should sound like. Get a better understanding of tricky measures by using the focus feature in Tunefox to listen repeatedly. Also, listen to original recordings by the inspired artists that recorded them. We have links to Spotify and Apple music in most of the tablatures. Make use of those and start building yourself a Tunefox playlist featuring all the songs you are working on and the artists that you admire!

7. Air Guitar

Air guitar gets a bad rap. It can be a great, and fun, form of practice. You can also play air banjo and mandolin. Do it while listening with Tunefox, your favorite artists or the radio. Try to play air guitar "in time". Just being conscious of moving your body accurately with the beat and in a range of motion that matches what you do on your instrument can help you reinforce concepts, songs, and licks you've been learning. I did a whole other blog post about this you might want to check out.
Click here to learn more about "shadow playing" AKA advanced air guitar.

8. Go Accurate

I wanted to say go slow, but music teachers have been preaching that to students for 100's of years, and it's rare that a student takes that advice to heart the first time, or even after the first 100's of times of hearing that. No one wants to be a beginner, but you need to accept your limitations and work within them. So, strive for accuracy when learning something new. Try to play clear notes with even timing, usually you will need to sacrifice speed, but please make that sacrifice when needed. You will build muscle memory over time that will allow you to play with that same clarity at faster speeds.

Also, try to enjoy playing slow. Find a way. Make beautiful sounds you enjoy. It can be very rewarding, challenging, and enjoyable. Turn a barn burner song like Cripple Creek into a ballad. It can be cool and fun!

9. Play Around

After Learning a scale or picking exercise, experiment! Play around. "Playing" like a child in a sandbox is an important aspect of developing your creativity and getting to know the sounds you can make on your instrument.