Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: radcliffe Mar 30 2008, 09:58 PM

Hi GMC!

I was wondering if there were any mental exercises that I could do to increase my coordination? I'm using a metronome to practice with, but half-way through any of my practices, my brain gets more and more confused the faster I set my BPM. I know I should just slow down to a point where I'm not making any mistakes, and SLOWLY increase even if by a beat, but I figured there might be way to help increase my coordination and unjumble my brain! Are there any posts about this, or anyone that could show me some ways?

Thanks Everyone!

Posted by: SinoMan Mar 30 2008, 10:21 PM

Erm, I don't think so. Just put on some good music and then get back to practicing and slowly increasing the BPM

But then, I ain't a shredder.

Posted by: erik Mar 30 2008, 10:25 PM

Just take a break.. It will also help to play the exercises really slow for a long time. Just sit and watch TV while you play it so slow that you don't really have to think about it, and then it will be easier to play it fast because your fingers are so used to play it

Posted by: SinoMan Mar 30 2008, 10:35 PM

I don't know if I can agree with the TV thingy.

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Mar 31 2008, 12:56 AM

I think there is no mental exercise, just focus on the first beat and tap your foot all the time, and it will be fine. Most of the problems regarding a metronome are because people don't actually learn well note time values, so they don't count the number of notes in a beat or a bar.

Posted by: radcliffe Mar 31 2008, 01:47 AM

Ok! I'll definitely try those things. It does make sense to take it sooo slow that it becomes completely clear all the time values, etc. I have noticed that taking my solos and breaking them down into parts and learning it piece by piece has been very helpful for me. I suppose increasing my speed will just take time to digest in my own mind!

Thanks!

Posted by: leedbreak Mar 31 2008, 03:49 AM

I actually believe there are ways ways to train your mind. First of all, try to play some of your current projects slow and perfect right before going to bed. Then play the notes in your head as you relax your body off to sleep. Picture your hands doing their job as you hear the CORRECT tones in your mind. Make mistakes right before you go to bed and your mind works on it wrong all night, so do it right.

Also, I like to play for 30 minutes and sit back, close my eyes and play it in my mind for a few times while my hands rest and then go back for 30 minutes more. Also, record yourself playing and listen to it in your car or at work and on your mp3 player. See yourself playing every note as you listen. Your mind can still learn to play without doing so, not as good but your mind can still grow. I remember a few months back I was ready for a nap as I was very tiered. I was working on one of the lessons and I did it perfect very slow like 10 times and was asleep within 5 minutes of playing it. After about and 1.5 hour nap I had it down much faster than if I had practiced it all night.

LEARN MIND CONTROL...

My VERY biggest problem is when I play a scale or set of notes over and over my mind will wonder off to thinking of just about anything that comes to mind. I am hitting the notes right but am not using my conscious mind to do it. Thus learning is slowed some what. Once I see that I have started to let my mind wonder I stop and try to re-focus back to the notes. To me another part that seems to help is to practice with very good lighting on the fret board. This helps my mind build a clearer picture of how something looks and can recall it much better with my eyes closed. When not playing your conscious mind teaches your subconscious mind how to play. Hey, I heard that on the Discovery channel.

Also, most Computer gamers will tell you that if you play a game for hours and then go to bed you will see the game in your head and it can sometimes cause insomnia especially with the fast moving games. Been there done that. Your goal is to play so much that all you can do when in bed is think of all the playing you just did. So play right before bed as much as possible.

There is a PDF file on this forum that tells some great stuff, it is bed time for me so I must go practice some, GL 2 u.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=8258&view=findpost&p=80492

Posted by: DethKlok Mar 31 2008, 06:42 AM

That's so damn cool. Now I can be practicing guitar on the bus, in class, while eating, during sex...

Posted by: radcliffe Mar 31 2008, 07:59 AM

Hello All!

Thanks so much for that link! Very cool! I'll definitely try that route as a way as well!

Thanks!

Posted by: leedbreak Apr 1 2008, 02:49 PM

gee, I hope your guitar does not have a whammy bar


.

Posted by: Danilo Capezzuto Apr 1 2008, 07:33 PM

Try to play in little session. When you feel confused take a break and make to opposite of what you have doing. If you was sitting than walk around, take a cup of tea, some fruits...everything but not play guitar. Take just 5 minutes and than return to practice. Other thing to do is not practice every day the same exercises, you can alternate, play the same exercise the Monday than Wednesday than Friday...I those tips will be useful! Good luck!

Posted by: Danilo Capezzuto Apr 2 2008, 12:40 AM

Just reply myself to correct some mistakes...
...make the opposite of what you were doing...
...if you were sitting...
...anything but...
...and then...
...I hope those...

Sorry Sinoman, your english is better than mine.

Posted by: Muris Apr 2 2008, 12:59 AM

I believe it has something to do with how much faster you set metronome.
There are some barriers for each of us at certain point
and they cannot be overcome by hitting with your head against the wall,sort of speech.
Which means you have to practice at tempo/s that feels comfortable for you atm.
With enough hard practicing higher limit will go up and up,trust me.

There's temporary alternative for metronome as,backing or full tracks,play over them.
To be straight,metronome is the best thing to get you "tight" into tempo.
But sometimes metronome doesn't give us enough to feel certain grooves
that we need to be able to play some solos,riffs or whatever.

Combine metronome and tracks,jam along,practice,result won't be missing.
You cannot just practice and move your fingers without using your brain,it always works in background,
you exercise your mental abilities every time you're practicing.

Posted by: blindwillie Apr 2 2008, 06:51 AM

^^

Posted by: SinoMan Apr 2 2008, 03:19 PM

This is why GMC rocks so much for me.

Posted by: Muris Apr 2 2008, 05:27 PM

GMC rocks for many reasons.