Today’s tool
Repetition with a reason
Assignment: Practice one technical passage using 5 slow perfect reps, 3 medium tempo, 1 fast.
Instead of mindlessly repeating a passage 10 times, use the 5–3–1 method: Play your target passage five times SLOWLY with perfect accuracy (if you make a mistake, start the count over). Then three times at medium tempo, still focusing on perfection, and finally, one time at performance tempo. This approach will help you build both confidence and muscle memory. The key is the “restart on error” rule—mindless repetition with mistakes just reinforces those mistakes. By requiring perfection of yourself at each tempo, you’re practicing for quality rather than quantity. This method works for technical passages, memory work, or cleaning up any rough spots in your playing.
Learn more:
How to Learn a Mountain of Music in Minimal Time, by Carla Fabris
Being efficient with your practice time is a valuable skill to learn. In this Harp Column feature article, author Carla Fabris shows you six steps to learning music quickly when you are short on time.
Music ideas:
Variations on Tallis’ Canon, arr. Lucy Bunce
Bunce’s arrangement for lever or pedal harp is, based on a melody by Renaissance composer Thomas Tallis, is a workout in rolled chord practice. Its theme and variation structure lends itself perfectly to today’s theme!