Good advice! One trick I came across early on I'm my playing is something I call "backwards learning." I read in a guitar magazine somewhere that Jimi Hendrix would learn progressions backwards so he knew where he was going with the music. Right after I read that, our high school band instructor coincidentally had us memorize a piece in the same fashion, by learning the last four bars, then the four previous bars into those last four, and so on until we had all learned the piece. That experience reinforced the idea so profoundly that it has always stuck as a valuable tool for me. So, whenever I have trouble learning something difficult, I'll approach the piece with that learning technique after my initial read through.
Yes,the wrong guitar choice corrected,Yes,my nails have become manicured to complete perfection,Yes,tension & relaxation,Yes,metronome pace,Yes,study,Yes,Practice,Yes Lessons 20 minutes at least per day,Yes,I am an absolute beginer and can listen and learn at 63 years of age with bricklayers hands,motorcycle wrecked body parts,lack of formal education,and a love and trust for you as never have I had for another human being all my life.Thank You Merce Font for sharing a wisdom and talent I admire!
Your dedication to your craft is inspiring. This was an excellent video about the work that is required to be excellent at anything: Be disciplined and go slowly. Start at the very beginning of the process and don't cut corners or cheat. Take the time it deserves and requires. Enjoy the journey. Excellent video post. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
I agree it`s not a good idea to listen to many multiple recordings of a piece of music before learning it..however in the past I have had a tendency to pick random pieces from method books without listening to them first which is a bad idea..to be fair when I started there was no internet and living in the country there wasn`t a record shop down the street..I know it sounds obvious but it is always a good idea to listen to the music played by someone else before learning it
Thank you very much, Merce! This was very informative and interesting! Really helpful! You speak fast, but I like it that way, and your English is excellent!
Nice video; most of these concepts I use already and pass on to my students. Thank you for reaffirming my system. On a related note, I attended an Ana Vidovic master class around 14 years ago, and she was asked how long it takes her to take a piece of music from the very beginning to performance ready. Her answer was two years; one year to learn the piece, and another year to practice performing it. That really stuck with me.
This is so helpful. Particularly about choosing new pieces, something I often struggle with... look at other pieces in the same grade is such an obvious and good idea, but something I rarely do! So, thank you. :)
Thank you ! This validates my DIY approach to learning a new (easy !) piece .... my 3 P's --> Plan (no guitar), Practice (with guitar), Perform (look for the cat to listen to me).
A great practical video. Thanks 🙏🏻 for sharing your insights. I recognized the Carcassi #16 study in the vídeo right away. Practicing my voicing and dynamics.
Unfortunately, I do not have a guitar instructor. Because of the limited number of classical guitar players, there are not enough teachers for the task. I have chosen you to be my instructor. The only other teacher that I have is reflected in the mirror. With all of this I do listen to John Williams play, but he is a second generation player and like most of the other players, they are way out of my league. I am not disappointed because your drills are items that I should have gotten along the way, and I am making improvement even if it at a glaciers pace.
In terms of "comparing fingerings from other artists" - if you use the Y.T. "Settings => Playback speed => .5 it's usually possible to watch both left & right hand choices. And I agree 100% with Merce on "not over-listening" to other players...who can be different from you along every single dimension - from hand size to geo.
Indeed! Actually, rewriting fingerings from great artist can be a good exercise for you to then analyze and understand why they got to these solutions. There is a lot to learn this way!
Mercè, ho fas molt bé! m'estan encantant els teus vídeos. Inclouen moltes bones pràctiques i detalls que quasi cap altre youtuber inclou. I t'expliques genial. Molt bona feina, gràcies i felicitats!
Thank you for the right hand relaxation advice - even though I’ve known it pretty much all my life, your reminder has benefitted me immediately. On the other hand, my separation between two and three on the left hand continues to be appalling, but I work at it daily.
You are cut out to be a tutor. You come across clear and make sense of everything and communicate this to the listener. All teachers should be so mindful about teaching, however, in many cases teachers want to cut to the chase, avoid the technical explanations and just get on with the class. Thanks for a very interesting lesson.
Wow. You are so right. Takes a lot of patience. Started trying Dionisio Aguado Op. 2 no. 1 in E. It's so pretty, but what is required is like really? Its pretty tricky. So much stuff is like that anyway so I just go slow. Bit by bit. Small sections at a time before moving forward.
Learning a new piece can be like figuring out a new puzzle. I'm self taught so maybe I should worry more about technique. I don't know how I do it, do I feel it? or hear it ? It's a gift bequeathed to me I humbly accept.
Merce', Thank you so much for this video. It is very helpful. I look forward to Part 2. I have a question about one of the practice goals. In the with/guitar section, you say that the player should be able to get to the end of the piece in a known, predictable length of time. For example, it should be possible to learn a consistent 1 line, 2 measures, or similar goal per practice session. Does this goal include the initial time spent learning the notes (technical stage), working out the fingering, etc? I guess my question is, "Is it possible or feasible to completely master a fixed section of music per session?" I like this goal (a lot). It's not how I usually practice. Maybe I should be more disciplined with my practicing.
Hi Cliff! This way of practicing works great for when you have deadlines because is extremely goal-driven and focused. On that though, there is always a bit of variation as sometimes one might need more time to 'technically digest' a certain challenging section. Sometimes you need to give your fingers time to work out the physical skill. The time of figuring out the fingering or reading the piece is for me practicing as well (even if I do it without the guitar). Is it possible to master a section in a session? Yes but it depends what you set your goal to be. *For example* : If the piece is VERY new and you want to make perfect 4 bars on which there are several difficult left hand changes then you might get disappointed. But you can indeed work with very fine detail and master one of these weird movements in one sitting. Just remember that the level of precision in practice you just achieved to master that movement, it will need to be repeated over many practice sessions to fully embedded it into your muscle memory. Usually though, it takes several times of confronting a certain section, for the brain to remember easily what's happening, the fingers to automate where they go and for you to feel 'comfortable' with that passage. But you can certainly play correctly a particular section within one single session if you take it slow enough.
Thank you, Merce! What software are you using to mark up the scores? But the way, you sound like the things I'm reading in "The Natural Classical Guitar" by Lee F. Ryan!
I use ForScore for my practice (the library organization is very useful to me) and the iPad default pdf writer for the lessons (it really has all I need and more!)
Wonderful overview except you missed the very first step -- always review this video before beginning every new piece! Where can the repertoire graded lists be found? Thanks for the great guidance.
Hahahaa I'm very happy knowing that by rewatching the video you might improve your practice performance substantially! Different graded repertoire lists can be found on google just looking for 'classical guitar syllabus'. You should find several websites of these graded exams with the syllabus all available to download :)
Good advice! One trick I came across early on I'm my playing is something I call "backwards learning." I read in a guitar magazine somewhere that Jimi Hendrix would learn progressions backwards so he knew where he was going with the music. Right after I read that, our high school band instructor coincidentally had us memorize a piece in the same fashion, by learning the last four bars, then the four previous bars into those last four, and so on until we had all learned the piece.
That experience reinforced the idea so profoundly that it has always stuck as a valuable tool for me. So, whenever I have trouble learning something difficult, I'll approach the piece with that learning technique after my initial read through.
Yes,the wrong guitar choice corrected,Yes,my nails have become manicured to complete perfection,Yes,tension & relaxation,Yes,metronome pace,Yes,study,Yes,Practice,Yes Lessons 20 minutes at least per day,Yes,I am an absolute beginer and can listen and learn at 63 years of age with bricklayers hands,motorcycle wrecked body parts,lack of formal education,and a love and trust for you as never have I had for another human being all my life.Thank You Merce Font for sharing a wisdom and talent I admire!
Дорогая Merce большое спасибо Вам за желание помочь многим. У Вас это превосходно получается. С глубоким уважением, Николай из России.
Your dedication to your craft is inspiring. This was an excellent video about the work that is required to be excellent at anything: Be disciplined and go slowly. Start at the very beginning of the process and don't cut corners or cheat. Take the time it deserves and requires. Enjoy the journey.
Excellent video post. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
Thank you Kacy for your beautiful comment!! Glad you enjoyed the video!! Wish you a wonderful weekend and see you around youtube! 😊
Thank you so much!
I agree it`s not a good idea to listen to many multiple recordings of a piece of music before learning it..however in the past I have had a tendency to pick random pieces from method books without listening to them first which is a bad idea..to be fair when I started there was no internet and living in the country there wasn`t a record shop down the street..I know it sounds obvious but it is always a good idea to listen to the music played by someone else before learning it
Thank you very much, Merce! This was very informative and interesting! Really helpful! You speak fast, but I like it that way, and your English is excellent!
Thank you! 😃
Thankyou!
Thanks 🙏🙏
Nice video; most of these concepts I use already and pass on to my students. Thank you for reaffirming my system. On a related note, I attended an Ana Vidovic master class around 14 years ago, and she was asked how long it takes her to take a piece of music from the very beginning to performance ready. Her answer was two years; one year to learn the piece, and another year to practice performing it. That really stuck with me.
Awesome! Honored to help out your students from the distance!! 😊 Keep up with your music and work! 🙌🏻
Thanks so much for sharing this info about Ana Vidovic. I’m an adult beginner and this reminds me to be humble and patient with myself.
Very interesting, looking forward to the next video! Thank you!
This should be very interesting!
This is so helpful. Particularly about choosing new pieces, something I often struggle with... look at other pieces in the same grade is such an obvious and good idea, but something I rarely do! So, thank you. :)
Awesome, glad to help Brian! Wish you a great weekend!
Thank you for your far discription...than i have not understod
Excellent points and recommendations. Thank you!
must try this out on my next new piece i practice ,sounds great advice ,thanks for sharing that Merce, i look forward to part 2
Superb advice. ¡Gracias, Merce!
A ti por ver el video Juan! Un saludo! :)
You are my favorite instructor on RUclips.
Thank you Lawrence! you are so kind! :)
So much valuable hints.I like the idea of practicing the scales in the key of the piece we will learn. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks!!!!!
So true! Thank you for sharing lot of important insights!
Estoy deseando ver a la reina de la guitarra hacer su magia. Gracias Querida Merce.❤
✨🎸✨🎶 👑 🙌
Very good advice! Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Merce! Looking forward to part 2! 👌💯🙏🏻
I've been waiting for soooo long. thank you Merce 😎😎
Yaaay! 😊
Great advice. Thanks so much!
You are so welcome my friend! :) stay well!
Thank you ! This validates my DIY approach to learning a new (easy !) piece .... my 3 P's --> Plan (no guitar), Practice (with guitar), Perform (look for the cat to listen to me).
hahaha awesome! pets are indeed a wonderful audience!!! :D
A great practical video. Thanks 🙏🏻 for sharing your insights. I recognized the Carcassi #16 study in the vídeo right away. Practicing my voicing and dynamics.
😊
Unfortunately, I do not have a guitar instructor. Because of the limited number of classical guitar players, there are not enough teachers for the task.
I have chosen you to be my instructor. The only other teacher that I have is reflected in the mirror.
With all of this I do listen to John Williams play, but he is a second generation player and like most of the other players, they are way out of my league.
I am not disappointed because your drills are items that I should have gotten along the way, and I am making improvement even if it at a glaciers pace.
"Saludos Merce cuidate mucho maestra" 😊👏👏👏👍🎉🎸🎶🎵
Gracias Leandro! igualmente y hasta pronto! :)
Gracias saludos desde USA!
In terms of "comparing fingerings from other artists" - if you use the Y.T. "Settings => Playback speed => .5 it's usually possible to watch both left & right hand choices. And I agree 100% with Merce on "not over-listening" to other players...who can be different from you along every single dimension - from hand size to geo.
Indeed! Actually, rewriting fingerings from great artist can be a good exercise for you to then analyze and understand why they got to these solutions. There is a lot to learn this way!
Mercè, ho fas molt bé! m'estan encantant els teus vídeos. Inclouen moltes bones pràctiques i detalls que quasi cap altre youtuber inclou. I t'expliques genial. Molt bona feina, gràcies i felicitats!
Moltes grácies Enric!! men alegro que t'ajudin els videos! Una abraçada i a fer bona musica!!! 😊
Wonderful video, Merce!! Will give it a second view since I'm always too distracted in the live chat! 🙈😆
Rewatching right now :)
Consigli molto interessanti!
Grazie Amadeu! :)
Thank you for the right hand relaxation advice - even though I’ve known it pretty much all my life, your reminder has benefitted me immediately. On the other hand, my separation between two and three on the left hand continues to be appalling, but I work at it daily.
You are cut out to be a tutor. You come across clear and make sense of everything and communicate this to the listener. All teachers should be so mindful about teaching, however, in many cases teachers want to cut to the chase, avoid the technical explanations and just get on with the class. Thanks for a very interesting lesson.
Wow. You are so right. Takes a lot of patience. Started trying Dionisio Aguado Op. 2 no. 1 in E. It's so pretty, but what is required is like really? Its pretty tricky. So much stuff is like that anyway so I just go slow. Bit by bit. Small sections at a time before moving forward.
Patience and perseverance is a great skill for a classical musician! Keep going!! :)
I very much appreciate the warning (7:17) against endlessly repeating the part from the beginning until the first difficult passage 😕
Learning a new piece can be like figuring out a new puzzle. I'm self taught so maybe I should worry more about technique. I don't know how I do it, do I feel it? or hear it ? It's a gift bequeathed to me I humbly accept.
Merce',
Thank you so much for this video. It is very helpful. I look forward to Part 2.
I have a question about one of the practice goals. In the with/guitar section, you say that the player should be able to get to the end of the piece in a known, predictable length of time. For example, it should be possible to learn a consistent 1 line, 2 measures, or similar goal per practice session. Does this goal include the initial time spent learning the notes (technical stage), working out the fingering, etc? I guess my question is, "Is it possible or feasible to completely master a fixed section of music per session?"
I like this goal (a lot). It's not how I usually practice. Maybe I should be more disciplined with my practicing.
Hi Cliff! This way of practicing works great for when you have deadlines because is extremely goal-driven and focused. On that though, there is always a bit of variation as sometimes one might need more time to 'technically digest' a certain challenging section. Sometimes you need to give your fingers time to work out the physical skill.
The time of figuring out the fingering or reading the piece is for me practicing as well (even if I do it without the guitar).
Is it possible to master a section in a session? Yes but it depends what you set your goal to be. *For example* : If the piece is VERY new and you want to make perfect 4 bars on which there are several difficult left hand changes then you might get disappointed. But you can indeed work with very fine detail and master one of these weird movements in one sitting.
Just remember that the level of precision in practice you just achieved to master that movement, it will need to be repeated over many practice sessions to fully embedded it into your muscle memory.
Usually though, it takes several times of confronting a certain section, for the brain to remember easily what's happening, the fingers to automate where they go and for you to feel 'comfortable' with that passage. But you can certainly play correctly a particular section within one single session if you take it slow enough.
Dear Merce, thank you for these great lessons! May I ask what kind of software do you use for editing videos? Thank you
this is much different than my usual, "try, cry, retry" method haha
Hahahahhaa that totally got me! 😂
Thank you, Merce! What software are you using to mark up the scores? But the way, you sound like the things I'm reading in "The Natural Classical Guitar" by Lee F. Ryan!
I use ForScore for my practice (the library organization is very useful to me) and the iPad default pdf writer for the lessons (it really has all I need and more!)
Wonderful overview except you missed the very first step -- always review this video before beginning every new piece! Where can the repertoire graded lists be found? Thanks for the great guidance.
Hahahaa I'm very happy knowing that by rewatching the video you might improve your practice performance substantially! Different graded repertoire lists can be found on google just looking for 'classical guitar syllabus'. You should find several websites of these graded exams with the syllabus all available to download :)