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I’m guessing ‘the work’ that you still have to do is memorization and wondering if it is really necessary in your case……will it improve the performance?
It will definitely improve the performance, as I can concentrate on more then just paying the correct notes at the correct time. Once I have something memorized I find it much easier to concentrate on things like dynamics, tempo, tone etc.
I’ve been wondering about memorization for awhile, because I usually memorize as I go along…….So, I do not move forward until I have sections memorized. It looks like your approach is different or opposite….you have learned the whole piece and now you will memorize.
It’s not that I don’t memorize as I go along. The act of slowly repeating difficult sections over and over again is memorizing that section. What you don’t want to do (and I am guilty of this) is to play the whole song start to finish over and over again. [And never improving on the difficult sections that you have issues with) That’s not a good way to practice or memorize. I do actually have sections of the song “memorized” but not embedded enough in my memory that I can piece them together smoothly without the sheet music being my guide.
I’m also finding that when I move onto another piece I forget what I memorized.
Don’t feel bad. I do this too. That’s why you have to make a point of playing songs you don’t want to forget. (Or you will) The good thing (at least for me) is songs I’ve forgotten takes very minimal time to get back up to speed again. I keep all the tab so I can quickly re-learn something I’ve forgotten.
What I see watching you read the music is that you don’t have to look at your fingers moving on the fretboard….that was impressive! But then in verse 2 you do look down at the instrument….you have memorized this section (probably the most difficult section)…..by doing that, I sense an emotional charge….a connection and intimacy between player and instrument……
I actually have all of the sections partially memorized. The sheet music is primarily a guide to string the sections together. [And to keep my on track for bits that I may not have down 100% in memory) For the difficult section, I’m playing up the neck. So I looked at the fretboard to make sure I hit the spot. 😛 I am liable to miss it if I kept staring at the music instead.
Anyway, I look forward to your next post!
Thanks! The next one will hopefully be the whole piece played 100% from memory..
One more thing…..did you play a stringed instrument before picking up the uke?
Yes. I played some bass guitar & electric guitar in my teens. Around 2002 I started back with electric guitar. I eventually moved onto steel string acoustic guitar. (As I preferred not having to deal with pickups, pedals & amps and just concentrate on playing instead of fiddling) I “tried” to play this for many years LOL. I was ok, but never really “good”. I eventually picked up classical guitar and worked at that for a few years. (probably a low intermediate level) I enjoy classical guitar but for some reason it always hurts my left shoulder (which sucks) I then happened upon Ukulele and it has quickly become my favorite and basically only thing I play. I’ve got short, slim fingers with a crooked pinky (which makes my reach even smaller) So I really love the ukulele scale lengths. They are comfy to play, sounds good & are a tone of fun.
Hopefully this helps! 🙂
That was your first time playing through the whole thing or your first take recording it
It was a first attempt at recording it. I have been practicing it since the monthly challenge came out.. I still have work to do, but thanks. 😛
I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER
I thought I would get in on the early action here. This is a first take of “Always with me – Spirited Away”. It’s a bit rough as I don’t have this memorized yet.. I also don’t have my tempo completely locked in. (I need more practice) Anyways, comments are welcome! 🙂
@muzikmama – Nice job. The only “suggestion” I would provide is try and play a bit more legato. You are playing the melody notes a bit staccato (short) where this tune aches to have those melody notes ring out… 😀 Awesome playing.
@deadbuggy – Nice job on “always with me”. You look so relaxed playing this. I’m working on this as well this month. It’s one of those tunes that sticks in your head. Love it. Remember that you are doing a reverse strum on bar 35 to get the melody note ringing out last. 🙂 [Trying to be useful]
@johanna2509 – Sound good! 😛
@jbmills07 – Impressive 😀 Loved it.I AM A PREMIUM MEMBER
Nothing like waiting till the last minute to learn a song for a monthly member challenge.. LOL..
Enjoy..
@Stephen – Thanks for the feedback. I know it can be a lot of work to watch all these and be able to provide constructive feedback! It is appreciated! 🙂
correct term is PIMA for rolling the the 1st cord then others
PIMA really just stands P = pulgar (thumb), I = indice (index finger),M = medio (middle finger), A = anular (ring finger). Whenever I hear PIMA, I think of right hand classical guitar technique. You were correct when you were asking about a “rolled chord”. It’s an effect similar to a strum but gives a different sound! 🙂 I would say you definitely don’t need to roll the chords if you don’t want to, but feel free to work on doing so if you think it sounds better that way! I can roll ima fine. Even ami. Including my thumb in the mix.. that I need to work on more! (Don’t worry, I am right handed and struggle doing a TIMR roll as well.) It gets easier if I practice it, but it’s not a technique I’ve used a whole bunch…
I may have gotten my answer from @jgillard entry (excellent btw)
Thanks. I was going to record this and post it anyways.. 😀 I’ve got another piece I was working on that I’ll post on the forum too which was unrelated to any challenges.. Thanks for listening.
I am a premium member.
Happy April 1st! 🙂
Here is my entry for Fingerpicking Etude No. 32. It was convenient that I started learning this last week! 😛 It’s a catchy little tune.
Comments / Suggestions are welcome.
I’m going to start working on The Ascent. That’s probably above my skill level.. we shall see! 🙂 I’ve only watched the performance of it so far…@abster – You rocked Adelita! 🙂 Nice job. I enjoyed listening to your performance.