EricV
05-03-2002, 08:18 PM
Hi guys,
here is a cool idea that was taught to me at the GIT, and which my students like a lot ( although they look at me weird when I teach it to them the first time ).
It is called the "Chinese Menu Method"... The trick is to pick a key, a scale and a "concept" / technique and work on that.
Like write down all 12 keys on a small pieces of paper. Put them into a small box or glass.
Then write down the scales / modes you have been working on or wanna work at, on some more small pieces of paper and put them into another box / glass.
Finally, write down some techniques or concepts, like "triads", "arpeggios", "pull-offs / hammer-ons", "tapping" etc.
Put those into a third container.
Now, when you wanna practise, grab into the box with the key signatures, and pull out one, i.e. "F#".
Then take one paper out of the "scale / mode" box, i.e. "Mixolydian". Now, pull out a "concept / technique", i.e. triads.
Then practise what comes out of that, like in my example "Triads in F# minor"... play all you can come up with in several positions, maybe use a metronome. Or put on a jam track in that key ( or record one with a drum machine and a basic chord progression ).
Then work on that.
That way, you can randomly pick something different to work on every day. Itīs a nice addition to a strict, static practising-schedule and keeps it interesting.
The more techniques and scales you learn, the more you can add to those boxes / glasses ( synthetic scales, harmonic minor, sweeps, slide etc. )
It will keep you on your toes and that way you will avoid focussing on certain things too much...
What do you think ? ;)
Warm regards
Eric
here is a cool idea that was taught to me at the GIT, and which my students like a lot ( although they look at me weird when I teach it to them the first time ).
It is called the "Chinese Menu Method"... The trick is to pick a key, a scale and a "concept" / technique and work on that.
Like write down all 12 keys on a small pieces of paper. Put them into a small box or glass.
Then write down the scales / modes you have been working on or wanna work at, on some more small pieces of paper and put them into another box / glass.
Finally, write down some techniques or concepts, like "triads", "arpeggios", "pull-offs / hammer-ons", "tapping" etc.
Put those into a third container.
Now, when you wanna practise, grab into the box with the key signatures, and pull out one, i.e. "F#".
Then take one paper out of the "scale / mode" box, i.e. "Mixolydian". Now, pull out a "concept / technique", i.e. triads.
Then practise what comes out of that, like in my example "Triads in F# minor"... play all you can come up with in several positions, maybe use a metronome. Or put on a jam track in that key ( or record one with a drum machine and a basic chord progression ).
Then work on that.
That way, you can randomly pick something different to work on every day. Itīs a nice addition to a strict, static practising-schedule and keeps it interesting.
The more techniques and scales you learn, the more you can add to those boxes / glasses ( synthetic scales, harmonic minor, sweeps, slide etc. )
It will keep you on your toes and that way you will avoid focussing on certain things too much...
What do you think ? ;)
Warm regards
Eric