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How To Practice for Maximum Speed - Part 2: Speed Builder Strategy 2by Tom Hess Please be sure to read Part 1 before attempting to follow the advice offered here in Part 2. I am offering a completely different approach to building great speed compared to what I described in Part 1, but this new system does not work well unless you have mastered the ability to play cleanly and accurately at slow tempos (this is critical). Unlike the first system described in Part 1, which takes several weeks to complete, this new approach can be done in a single practice session. This new approach is not intended as a substitute for my other method, it is rather a supplemental practice tool intended for more advanced players. My "Ladder" System Let’s say you can play a particular technique at 100 bpm (beats per minute) on a metronome cleanly and consistently. Let’s also assume that your goal is to play the same technique at 200 bpm. Warm up for: 15 minutes in the winter months Play at 60 bpm for 2-3 minutes As you can imagine, the beginning of this routine will be easy if you can already play this without problems at 100 bpm. But it will be totally impossible to play well during the latter part of the routine. Play it anyway! Yes I know it will sound horrible, it will be a huge mess of sloppy musical chaos. Don’t worry about that when doing this routine, because you are not going to practice this way every day. The ladder system is designed to do two main things:
Most speed barriers come as a result of synchronization problems between the two hands – lack of speed is usually not caused directly from how fast you are able to move your hands. BUT because the main cause is a synchronization issue between the hands, your practicing becomes limited to synchronization practice and not on sheer speed (even if you are totally aware of it). Your increased synchronization skills will improve your overall technique, but you will have not really trained your hands to move much faster than before…..This system does this. I’m sorry to have to keep repeating the point, but it is so important! This system is a supplemental one and not a substitute for normal practicing. A word of caution: Because this practice system is extremely demanding on your fingers, hands, wrists and arms, you must be very careful to avoid pain. If you feel any pain when doing this technique, you must stop at once and rest before attempting this again. Never play in pain, or excessive stress on your muscles or joints. Doing so can cause you serious long term physical problems. Also, make sure you are thoroughly warmed up before practicing anything strenuous (especially when attempting my ladder system!). How To Practice for Maximum Speed - Part 1 Are you committed enough and serious enough to truly reach your musical goals? If you are, click here
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© 2002-2008 Tom Hess Music Corporation |
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