Rules for HOW to Learn to Finger Pick
Guitar
Rules
for HOW to learn. It will help if you keep these rules in mind as you
learn how to finger pick guitar. I recommend that you write them down, or
copy & print them and keep them in you guitar case. Before each
practice session read them again, think about them and make sure you practice
using them as you learn finger picking. This will help you to make those
important memory connections between those neurons in your brain sure, thick
and strong. Following these "four rules" you can make the
fastest best progress while learning the difficult art of finger style guitar.
Remember and practice these 4 rules when Learning HOW
#1.
Repetition
- This is the key. If you repeat a finger picking
pattern
over
and over, enough times, you will learn it. I like to
tell my students that you want to "burn" that pattern into
your brain. Sheer repetition is what will make those
connections (Synapses) between the neurons in your brain
stronger and stronger. You want them to be thick and strong.
Repetition is the key to memory! Repeat over and over!!!
#2. Start slowly - Start slowly and gradually
increase speed.
Its
important not to make mistakes. If you do
STOP! DO NOT PRACTICE IT
WRONG!
When you make a
mistake, Stop. Start again but this time
slow way down again and get it right. Then gradually increase
speed again. Remember that doing it right is far more
important
than speed. You will find that speed will come in time. Each
time you practice a pattern you will be able to increase speed.
I strongly recommend using an electric metronome, rhythm
guide or drum machine for this purpose. Using the machine as
you increase speed will help tremendously and you will "see"
your progress. This will help encourage you!
.
#3. Keep Learning sessions short - When learning a new picking
pattern make
sure you do not over do it. Work on it
for
only about fifteen minutes and that is all. Then go on to
something else you already know. If you want to practice
one hour a day on learning a new picking pattern, then make
it
four fifteen minute sessions. This is because the mind learns
best
when it's fresh. Think in terms of making progress in the
long
run rather than doing it all right now. Measure your
progress on
a monthly basis. Anytime it becomes too difficult
and you
start to make mistakes, and slowing down doesn't
seem to help - STOP
your learning session completely!
DO
NOT PRACTICE IT WRONG! Your done!
You will find that
the next time you practice; your speed will
have improved. REMEMBER -
With the drum machine, you will "see" your progress!
AGAIN....... I'll repeat;
I recommend that you copy these rules and
put them in your guitar
case. Each time you begin a LEARNING
session with the picking -
First read the RULES and then do
your practice session using them.
For
me personally, the worship of and service to my God is ABSOLUTELY without
question the most important thing in my life. So understand me when I say
this - "use these RULES for learning
"RELIGIOUSLY"!!!! If you do, then your learning abilities
will be at their peak performance, and you'll improve rapidly.
There are many other suggestions that
will help you too. But that's for later!
You will see
these on the finger picking patterns pages.