Daniel Schlombs

Albert

What to practice: Up to and including 2nd chapter of Hal Leonard’s Guitar Method + note review sheet

Recommended practice time: 10 minutes daily

Keys to effective practice: Take a moment and go over the note review sheet found in your folder. It will help to spend some time identifying notes solely on their own, without an instrument in hand, so that when we go back to play our recognition of the notes will be quicker and translate more fluently into performance! Tackle the first page for now just writing down the names of the notes below each. Otherwise while practicing World Beat, remember to “chunk” sections, that is, to break the song up into smaller pieces. For this piece we could break it into 4 sections, 1) being the first 2 bars, 2) bars 3-5, 3) bars 6 & 7, and the last section 4) being 8-10. Get them down individually, then tie them altogether and start to increase the tempo!

Eliana

What to practice: Iron Maiden – The Trooper, Chromatic Exercises

Recommended practice time: 15 minutes daily

Keys to effective practice: Focus on getting that “pop” and “flick” with the legato pull offs throughout the intro riffs. Think in terms of pulling down into the fretboard while also down and off the string – at first it will be good to exaggerate this to get the feel and sound right, and later we can correct and perfect it. For the chromatic exercises focus on clean, evenness, and aim to play in such a way that were you to close your eyes you wouldn’t be able to hear where you’re shifting positions. So, take it slow, play in a relaxed manner, and otherwise go for it!

Bonus video of Canadian musician Jacob Collier tapping 5 different rhythm grids simultaneously.

Aarna

What to practice: Aura Lee + Surf Rock/Rockin’ Robin for review, note naming package!

Recommended practice time: 10 minutes daily

Keys to effective practice: There are a couple main things to pay attention to for Aura Lee: 1) finger position will be key here keeping your index on the 1st fret, middle on 2nd, and ring on 3rd, and 2) alternate picking, down, up, down, up, etc… with your right hand! Picking this way will allow you to play more fluidly and without having to think quite as much down the road. It feels weird at first, but after some short time practicing it, it will become 2nd nature!

Aarnav

What to practice: For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow, note naming package!

Recommended practice time: 10 minutes daily

Keys to effective practice: Review the study song just previous to For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow to make sure playing in 3/4 makes complete sense with the introduction of dotted half notes. Otherwise, as per usual, review the notes before starting and count out loud as you play (but this time to 3, not to 4). This song is played relatively quickly, so once you get it down, push yourself to see how quick you can get it while maintaining good time, rhythm, and sound quality!

Simon

What to practice: Led Zeppelin – Black Dog, Chromatic Exercises

Recommended practice time: 15 minutes daily

Keys to effective practice: Continue playing along with the youtube videos/album version of the song, it is working! For the parts that are tricky, break down the rhythm with the count below (writing 1, 2, 3, 4, and any subdivision necessary: 1 e & a, or 2 & a, or 3 &, etc…) and clapping along. Sometimes it’s easier to do this, then jump back on and put it on the guitar, then it is to try to tackle everything all at once. While playing the chromatic exercises remember to have your thumb behind the neck so that your wrist is straight as if you were holding a baseball bat or golf club. Take your time and aim for smooth, consistent rhythm across the exercise!

Bonus video: here is music made just for clapping I had mentioned! It was made by Steve Reich as a piece that musicians could play if they showed up to a show but their instruments got lost or stolen. It’s surprisingly interesting and difficult. See if you can clap along!