Want to thank you for taking the time to provide such a thoughtful answer to my question about rest strokes. I meditate regularly and practice the concept of acknowledging tension and thoughts and letting them melt away, but I had never thought about applying the same ideas to guitar practice.
Yes to using the metronome! It always makes my playing just a little bit better each time, so why don't I use it more often?
Thanks for the advanced rhythm embellishments video - I love this stuff. I appreciate your line about it being simple, but not easy. Any tips for getting the rest strokes down? I have seen/heard other players do this and the power/volume the rest stroke gets really seems to move the music and wake up your ear. Unfortunately I am struggling to incorporate this technique. The switch from the steady rhythm with the right hand to the rest stroke movement just isn't coming to me. Appreciate any ideas you have to work on this.
I have to be honest, they're hard for me too. I think the real trick is practicing mindfullness as you do it. You already know the basic task you are trying to accomplish: switching from strummed rhythm to rest-stroke based single notes. In a way, it's as simple as you just do it. BUT here's the trick. In just doing it, you don't have to be correct, you just have to amplify your kinesthetic awareness in your *whole body*. You'll probably notice most of the tension appearing in your right arm. Acknowledge it, breathe for a few seconds and try it again with that heightened sense of awareness. You might notice that your jaw clenches, or you stop breathing for a second, or whatever. Acknowledge, take a moment to breathe and try again. You really can't force these things to happen, you have to create the conditions where they CAN happen by noticing impediments that you are creating and slowly letting them melt away.
Also, PRACTICE SLOWLY. It's really easy to be too goal oriented and practice things too fast - I am really bad about this - but by slowing down and breathing you create the space where you can approach this unfamiliar physical act in the most calm, open way possible. Once you get that down, then you can try speeding up (and even exceeding a speed where you are comfortable, but only to promote staying aware and relaxed at that faster speed).
Also, once you have got the basic transition down to where you can be relaxed while doing it, get the metronome out and use it. It's the best tool a musician has for getting better, no matter the speed.
Chris,
Want to thank you for taking the time to provide such a thoughtful answer to my question about rest strokes. I meditate regularly and practice the concept of acknowledging tension and thoughts and letting them melt away, but I had never thought about applying the same ideas to guitar practice.
Yes to using the metronome! It always makes my playing just a little bit better each time, so why don't I use it more often?
Thanks again,
Brian
Hey Chris,
Thanks for the advanced rhythm embellishments video - I love this stuff. I appreciate your line about it being simple, but not easy. Any tips for getting the rest strokes down? I have seen/heard other players do this and the power/volume the rest stroke gets really seems to move the music and wake up your ear. Unfortunately I am struggling to incorporate this technique. The switch from the steady rhythm with the right hand to the rest stroke movement just isn't coming to me. Appreciate any ideas you have to work on this.
Many thanks,
Brian
Hi Brian,
I have to be honest, they're hard for me too. I think the real trick is practicing mindfullness as you do it. You already know the basic task you are trying to accomplish: switching from strummed rhythm to rest-stroke based single notes. In a way, it's as simple as you just do it. BUT here's the trick. In just doing it, you don't have to be correct, you just have to amplify your kinesthetic awareness in your *whole body*. You'll probably notice most of the tension appearing in your right arm. Acknowledge it, breathe for a few seconds and try it again with that heightened sense of awareness. You might notice that your jaw clenches, or you stop breathing for a second, or whatever. Acknowledge, take a moment to breathe and try again. You really can't force these things to happen, you have to create the conditions where they CAN happen by noticing impediments that you are creating and slowly letting them melt away.
Also, PRACTICE SLOWLY. It's really easy to be too goal oriented and practice things too fast - I am really bad about this - but by slowing down and breathing you create the space where you can approach this unfamiliar physical act in the most calm, open way possible. Once you get that down, then you can try speeding up (and even exceeding a speed where you are comfortable, but only to promote staying aware and relaxed at that faster speed).
Also, once you have got the basic transition down to where you can be relaxed while doing it, get the metronome out and use it. It's the best tool a musician has for getting better, no matter the speed.
Good luck!