An Example

Because everyone who comes to me for lessons has unique musical experiences and needs, I tailor each lesson to the individual. But there’s one exercise I give every student, because so many critical skills can be gained from executing it repeatedly and correctly.

When I teach this exercise, I start by explaining the importance of going slowly and attending to each detail, as each one contributes to strength, finger independence, sustain, clarity of sound, pick control, regularity of beat, and more. I then explain and demonstrate the exercise slowly and one step at a time, asking the student to mimic each step before going to the next. But instead of going slowly and following the directions, the student will—almost always—rush through, without regard for the details of the instruction. Unfortunately, without those details the value of the exercise is lost.

How to Self-Teach Details

I’ve come to realize this type of hurried and surface approach is normal and it’s okay, because I’m there to repeat any instructions they may have missed and to remind them to slow down and focus on the details. But if I’m not there when you learn, you’ll have to do those things for yourself.

The best way to do it is to take notes. Then, refer to your notes before every repetition until you’re certain you’re following the instructions completely and accurately. After ten or fifteen repetitions, watch or read the tutorial again to find anything you might have missed writing in your notes. And, most importantly, choose a tempo that’s a lot slower than you think you should play it—and then slow that down!

Try It

Watch me teach the exercise in the example above in this 4-minute video. After you’ve watched it, write down the points you want to remember and incorporate into playing the exercise. Then, watch the video again and take notes of every point as you watch.

How many details did you miss the first time you watched the video? How many points did you write down in your notes from the second viewing?

If you’re an experienced player, you should have identified no fewer than nine points. If, however, you’re a beginner, you may need to go back to a foundational lesson that instructs you in correct finger placement, how to hold your guitar, or how to hold the pick. Write down the points from those lessons and add them to your list. (If you want to minimize your need to retrieve information you may be missing, check out the course for your level in the Virtual Studio.)

In All You Do

I teach details because I know they lead to success. Your hand position, the amount of pressure you apply, where on the fret you press, the tension in your back, neck, arms, and hands, your fingering, and your posture all contribute to your clarity, speed, accuracy, and tone. And those are only some of the details that dictate your success and satisfaction!

Each time you open a book or enter the Virtual Studio, be ready to discover the details that will make learning efficient, heighten your enjoyment, and bring you to a level of excellence in everything you play. And remember—I’m always happy to help!