Find Out What Helps Us Continue Playing the Instrument We Love

Tips to help you stay on track with your learning diligence, whether you are a professional or an amateur musician. This article gives advice on memory techniques, practice routines, and even the use of mantras.

Recently one of my online students asked this intriguing, interesting, and very important question: "Do you have any advice for discipline and diligence when it comes to learning?"

He went on to say "I find myself too often putting my lessons off in favor of other needs, then I get frustrated that I am only at lesson 26 still.

Is there a routine or a mantra or something you can recommend that supports learning diligence?

Sorry for the weird question but I find its something that does not often get discussed when learning an instrument."

He may well be right in saying that the issue of learning diligence does not often get discussed. We (both the teacher and the student) can easily assume that all is well with our learning as long as we see and hear some kind of progress with our vocal or instrumental studies.

In my face-to-face lessons, I will bring up the topic on a need-to-address basis, i.e. when I find students becoming somewhat complacent about their desire to progress. Such a discussion is usually just a one-time event; however it can benefit lifelong maintenance of learning discipline - not only for their bass playing, but also for other aspects of their life.

If you find it easy to get distracted in your vocal or instrumental studies, you are not alone.

Although everyone is different, with different needs and desires, I will give some generic tips and advice on the topic of "Learning Skills and Learning Diligence".

My tips will be divided into three broad categories

A) Why continue learning

B) What helps us learn best

C) Learning disciplines and suggested routines

Why continue learning?

There is always a primary reason why we begin learning an instrument or vocal studies (or any other skill, for that matter) in the first place. You must ask yourself what that reason was for you. I am a bass player, and I remember my reason very well, although it was more than 50 years ago! I did not start playing bass quite that long ago, but the reason was already there when I was a young boy. My reason? The sound. Yes, the sound was, and still is, my primary attraction to the bass. (In the meantime I have figured out many of the reasons behind this attraction, but that may be left to another article.)

The day I began my studies of classical double bass at the conservatory, I was invited to sit in on a lesson of an advanced student. We had a chat after that lesson and he told me that I would encounter many obstacles along the way. His advice for when I was in doubt was to "remember why you are playing bass in the first place". That remembering would put me back on track. He was right. It helped me a lot. There were several circumstances throughout and beyond my course that put me in doubt about my skills and diligence. To get beyond my doubt, I remember "the sound" and all becomes good again. For me, the sound of the bass creates enthusiasm for the bass.

Your reason? I am sure you can easily figure that out for yourself. Sometimes it is not evident before you begin playing your instrument, but at some stage there would have been a feeling of "This is it!". Find that moment and see if you still feel the same now - we usually do. When you become aware of that feeling, your enthusiasm becomes evident again.

What helps us learn best?

I am continually surprised at the very high percentage of people (of all ages) who do not know how they learn. Let me explain using the term "learning technique".

We all have prominent learning techniques. These techniques are usually not known until we consciously assess the way we learn. The way we learn has a lot to do with the way we remember. Once discovered, making optimum use of our memory techniques leads to optimum learning. We therefore create optimum results, leading to optimum joy in our achievements as well as their positive bearing on our lives in general and those around us - what a result!

Here are a few learning and memory techniques for you to take a look at. Find out if any of these techniques apply to your learning.

Learning by rote - this may include mental and mechanical repetitionVisualization - anything from pre-seeing, pre-hearing, pre-feeling etc, to photographic memoryAssociative memory, i.e. associating something you are learning with something you already know (such as a name)Learning and remembering with the aid of colors - this technique is often a favorite of the female learnerAlthough there are other learning and memory techniques, it is up to you to investigate and become aware of your best learning technique - then put it to good use.

Learning disciplines and suggested routines

First, you should work out your circadian rhythm, the way your "body clock" operates. It is of no value if you have the time to practice at 2PM if that is your physical and mental downtime. Find the times of day or night that suit both your schedule and your body clock.

For some people it is more beneficial to do a few short practice sessions as opposed to one long session. Some trial-and-error attempts will help you find what best suits your lifestyle.

Accept that you have to practice to improve your skills. Without acceptance your sessions will be tedious and fruitless instead of constructive and bountiful.

Before you actually practice, work out what you are going to do and the process of your actions. You may need a reason for what you are practicing today, be it part of your long-term goal or something more pressing, such as mastering your part of a song for tomorrow's band rehearsal. (Practicing and rehearsing are not the same.)

Practice what you can't do first! This is crucial... and I'll tell you why. At the beginning of a session, our minds are generally more able to concentrate, and therefore our intake of new material is higher than at the end of a session. Furthermore, what if we get interrupted during the session and cannot continue? We have learnt nothing new and leave the session with a sense of incompleted-ness, possibly leading to a bad conscience, resulting in too many negatives.

End your session with something you were already familiar with before the session (such as playing over a chord sequence) but add what you learnt during the session. This creates great satisfaction and a sense of true achievement.

Most musicians start their practice session jamming with something they already know. Instead, I advocate to have your jam at the end of your session, incorporating your new skills.

Below is a suggestion for a daily 30-minute practice session for an instrumentalist. All elements of this routine can and should be changed as often as required to suit your circumstance.

1. NEW ITEM - Note identification 5 minutes

2. Sight-reading 5 minutes

3. Technique development 5 minutes

4. Groove playing 5 minutes

5. Playing a song 5 minutes

6. Revision 5 minutes

Along the way, either with or without instrument in hand, you may find it helpful to use mantras to help your learning. Mantras are very powerful in the most positive way. They can be as simple and focussed as "C is on the third fret of the A-string" to something more general, such as "Every note is coming through my instrument in its best possible form to suit the purpose of the song".

In summary

Find the reason that enthused you in the first placeFind your best learning techniqueAccept that you are practicing for a purpose

Besides being an innovative and highly respected music educator, George Urbaszek plays double bass and bass guitar. He has over 3500 performances and 120 recording sessions to his credit and has toured Australia, Central Europe, Canada, USA and the Pacific Islands.

George has performed with artists ranging from Rolf Harris through to Judith Durham, Beccy Cole, Marina Prior, Thelma Housten, and the New York production of Porgy and Bess. His former students include Brendan Clarke (winner of the Australian National Jazz Award), Kim Khahn (Robbie Williams, Mel C, Natalie Imbruglia) and Rory Quirk (John Butler Trio).

After lecturing for thirteen years in the Jazz Department of the Australian National University, George is now residing near Byron Bay, Australia, where he works from home teaching students from all over the world using an innovative approach of step-by-step online bass lessons which include Beginner bass lesson videos. These lessons cost less than $5.00 US each and are available at http://www.creativebasslessons.com/ You can even sign up for a few free bass lessons.

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Playing Cello - What Is Involved in Picking Up an Instrument?

Here are the following tips for learning to play the cello.

1. Ought I be performing the cello?
Consider long and intently about whether this is a journey that you need to commit to, or if it's just a whim.... a passing fancy. There will be much heavy commitment required, and performing the cello is not inexpensive! If you have consistently adored the sound of the cello and have 30 minutes each day spare, then why not give it a go.

2.What is the perfect age to embark upon performing the cello?
If you are thinking about whether to teach your children the cello, the earliest age would be 3 years old, but 4-5 years old would possibly be more advisable. I started performing the piano from age 4 and then started the cello at age 5. I think starting with the piano is the best initiation for any little one to a musical instrument. It provides the compulsory framework and helps to tune the ear. The piano is a rather elementary thing to start, and an wonderful foundation for the more bewildering fun of performing the cello.

3. Is it too late to embark upon performing the cello now?
Definitely not! It is never too late to commence playing any musical instrument, granting perfect age is probably prior to 10. There are abundant examples of mature onset cellists, such as John Holt who began the cello at age 40. Granted that you may not grow into a world famous virtuoso, commencing a musical instrument at an older age has many advantages. I find that performing the musical instrument at age 40 is a profoundly dissimilar ordeal to a younger age. I have extended musical grasp and experience, and I consider this adds more to my pleasure in performing the cello.

4. How big should the cello be?
How old are you?:

1/8 size - 4 to 6 years old
1/4 size - 5 to 7 years old
1/2 size - 7 to 11 years old
3/4 size - age 11 to 15
4/4 size - 15 and above

By Your Height

1/8 to 1/4 size -below 4 feet
1/2 size - 4 to 4 1/2 feet
3/4 size - 4 1/2 to 5 feet
4/4 size - 5 feet and more

5. Should I rent or buy a cello?
Hiring a Musical instrument is strongly advisable for your first cello. The musical instrument comes with a bow and a case. The case can either be acase made out of cloth, or a fibreglass case. I would recommend totally avoiding a wooden case, as the musical instrument itself weighs enough. Think about whether you should get some wheels for the musical instrument case if heavy lifting is not achievable. Musical instruments can be rented at some music stores, but do an online search for "rent musical instrument" to hit upon a neighborhood store.

6. Do I need anything else?
Make sure that you have something to hold the music, a device to stop the cello from slipping, something to play and something to give grip to the bow - in other words a music stand, a doughnut, resin and some music. Getting an extra pack of strings is voluntary, although probably rigorously not essential at the very beginning. Hold off the enticement to pick up multiple instructional books and sheet music, unless you count on appreciating the musical instrument completely on your own. another approach is to wait before speaking to a cello mentor, who might be able to give tips as to where to locate a cello and other accessories from. You can also find about about anything else you might desire.

7. Do I need to have cello lessons?
Yes. This is strongly advised, especially if you are serious about learning the musical instrument. A reasonable place to commence looking for a music instructor would probably be a Conservatorium of Music. instead of trying to find a music adviser on the internet, I consider it is a much better idea to go to a centre of musical excellence. A big association similar to the Conservatorium of Music can provide help to instrumentalists of all levels, including adult starters. They at least will continually be able to steer you in the correct direction. You may decide you only choose a few lessons to get started, help settle upon an instrument and promote a list of songs. Several people do this on a regular basis for one to two months, and then have a lesson every month or so. For younger ones, weekly tips are suggested. No book or video can accurately show methods to perform the musical instrument. Expert schooling is needed. Locate a scholar you are moved by and this will provide the ambition and counseling that is indispensable for a favourable outcome.

8. What are the parts of the cello?
It is worthwhile understanding what the main parts of the cello are, and here is an overview.

Scroll - This is found at the top of the cello and is sometimes referred to as the ornamental curve of the instrument.

Pegs - The 4 stings of the cello wrap around the pegs. sometimes the peg is used to tune the pitch of the musical instrument, even though the fine tuners are the better way to tune the cello.

Fingerboard - This is the long part of the cello that is attached to the body.

Strings - There are 4 strings which pass through the pegs down the fingerboard and over the bridge attaching to the tailpiece. The notes on the open strings are C, G, D and A.

Bridge - The bridge is the piece of wood that holds the strings away from the body of the cello.

F-Holes - These are the holes shaped in the letter "f" and it allows the sound to come out from the inside of the instrumen.

Tailpiece - the tailpiece is found at the end of the cello. the tailpiece is generally made of plastic. the strings insert into the tailpiece..

Endpin - the spike comes out from the end of the cello. The endpin can be adjusted so that the cello is held at the right height. the spike is a metallic object with a pointed end to stop it from slipping. Sometimes the spike is placed into a rubber donut to provide better grip.

9. How to I hold the cello?
A cello instructor is the best person to show how to hold the cello correctly. learning how to do things the right way is particularly important at the beginning, and you do not choose to embark upon off your musical instrument quest with poor methods which becomes set permanently!

Pick a suitable chair, preferably a seat without arms.
Place the cello between your knees and keep your back straight with your feet flat on the floor.
Keep the muscles of the upper back loose. To demonstrate this, try the following.Hunch your shoulders up to your ears and then fully relax. This is where your shoulders should rest.
the cello should sit on the chest.
the neck of the cello should be gently resting on the left side of your neck.
the C peg should be at the level of the left ear.
the spike is adjustable so that the cello position can be adjusted for your height and also to take into account the height of the chair.
Sitting at the edge of the seat gives you slightly further mastery.
The left fingers rests on the strings with the thumb positioned behind the fingerboard. It is important not the strain the left thumb - it should just be resting gently behind the fingerboard.

10. How do you hold the bow?
It is easy to hold the bow, but pretty effortful to have good style, and your teacher will aid and explain how it's accomplished correctly.

The way the bow is structured will give clues as to how best to hold the bow.. The top of the bow is called the tip and the bottom is the frog. The bow is positioned in the right hand. There is a screw which can be used to tighten or loosen the bow hair. Resin is generally applied to the bow hair before starting a practise session, and this provides some stability to the bow to allow it to have traction on the strings.

The letter C is formed by the thumb and index finger of the right hand in order to hold the bow. The other fingers then gently rest over the bow. Make sure to keep the grip gentle and rounded, but firm enough to hold the bow with control. there is a small dot on the frog indicating where to place the thumb.

If you have ever thought of picking up the cello, why not begin now. The cello can be started at any age, and supplies an astounding musical escape. It's difficult but can also be a wonderful new skill to learn. The single most important thing to know about ways to play the cello is about finding an adept mentor who can lead you in the right direction. You will find out what instrument to get and where to get it. Suggestions will be made as to which music you choose to embark upon your repertoire with. You will be given skillful instruction as to how to play the musical instrument. And most importantly, you will gain the ambition of the lecturer and maybe come part of the musical society. Performing solo cello is excellent, but I favor to play in a group. Savor your journey!

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