10 Things

10 THINGS YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW TO BECOME A BETTER GUITAR PLAYER from "The Principles of Correct Practice for Guitar" by Jamey Andreas

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Hello, and thanks for your interest in the teachings of guitarist Jamey Andreas. You will be receiving "The Principles of Practice", the Newsletter from GuitarPrinciples.com, which will be a powerful guide in your efforts to develop as a guitarist through CORRECT PRACTICE. WELCOME!

You can start improving right now by spending some time thinking, understanding, and using the ideas below.

1. Watch yourself and your hands and fingers in a mirror when you practice. Look for tension and economy of motion. Make sure you are not causing tension by the way you are sitting and holding the guitar.

2. Redefine the word "mistake" as an unwanted result. This means it has a cause, which you can discover, and change, to produce a different result (what you want). Regard every mistake as a learning opportunity. Find it's cause and plan how to improve it and get a different result.

3. Get specific about every mistake," Be absolutely clear about exactly what is happening. What note is missing or damaged? What finger was supposed to play it? Where was that finger before it was supposed to play?

4. Record yourself every day. Listen back and decide the worst thing about your playing, and start thinking of a way to improve it.

5. Play for other people as much as you can. Be aware of how you play, and how you feel each time you do. Be aware of how you feel physically, any tensions in the body. Be aware of how you feel emotionally. Do you feel fear, anxiety, pleasure? Study yourself each time and you will get to know yourself as a performer, and you will improve.

A letter from acoustic/electric guitar virtuoso Ney Mello (has worked with Al Dimeola, Adrian Legg, Michael Fath, among others)............. mellosm1.jpg (7903 bytes)

Dear Jamey,

I have through personal experience and 29 years playing the guitar arrived at exactly the same conclusions and principles as you have. These are absolutely necessary to obtain a virtuoso very flowing and relaxed technique (which I am known and in demand for) principles.jpg (4123 bytes)

Fascinatingly enough I have been using even some very specific techniques you have in the book for years as they allow a maximum gain in a minimum of time. As a result it is quite easy for me to play 16th notes @250bpm. My more serious students students can do it too. It is not of course a quick and easy level to attain but it is attainable by anyone using these principles with the necessary devotion and discipline.

My best compliments on a superb and indispensable work which stands out in its groundbreaking excellence and clarity as it reveals the scientific principles of technical liberation from performance impediments, allowing all those who practice them, in John McLaughlin's words,:'"To go beyond.." the technique into pure music.--Ney Mello

6. Pretend each finger is a person and give them a name. Pretend you are that person-finger playing in a band. This will promote intimate awareness of the experience of that finger while playing. The lack of this awareness is the root cause of all technical difficulties in playing. This is called "Following."

7. Keep "reminders" in front of you as you practice. Whatever you have decided is your weakest area, and is most in need of improvement, decide what to do about it.

Write it down, and keep it in front of you, hanging somewhere, or taped somewhere so it is always in your mind when you practice. There is always something!

8.Every time you move a finger, think about and imagine your next move.

9. Every time you practice, pay attention to your entire body.

10. Use a metronome for building technique. For instance, start scales at 60, 4 beats per note. Notice the tensions in the fingers and body at this speed. Continue at 80, 100. Go back to 60 at 2 beats, then 80, 100. Then 60 at one beat, then 80, then 100. Go back to 60 and do eighth notes, then 80, then 100. Finally, do sixteenths, up to your limit.

Oh, I forgot, here's number 11!

Do yourself a favor, and benefit from the full force of "The Principles", The Understandings, Tools, and the 26 Foundation Exercises it contains.

Read the testimonials of incredible, even instant, progress made by "Principled Players", and join them by ordering YOUR copy today!

"The Principles Of Correct Practice For Guitar"

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