OK, you gotta practice in order to build the muscle memory that will make playing an automatic thing so that you can relax and enjoy making music.
The following suggestions and products can help you get through the tedium and push you along to being a good musician.
Practice with a friend. Everyone needs encouragement. You can
encourage each other.
Record your practicing. Boy, that should make you want to practice
if you hear how bad you really sound!
Once you get a few notes under your belt, visit us and choose one of the
books that have a CD accompaniment with it. These things are great to
push you along. The CD doesn't slow down and you have to play in tune.
We have everything from hymns to jazz. Solo, duets, trios, quartets. We
even have books that let you mix instruments in an ensemble. This is
really great stuff!
If you have a computer and some experience, you can use Band in a Box.
You key in the chords from your favorite tunes, choose a style you want to
play it in and the key and it provides a great sounding combo to back you up.
And they NEVER get tired! Band in a Box can make even long tone
practice, which is essential, fun. Call Charlie, 800-264-7228.
SmartMusic is a program that can accompany you on your computer.
There are many titles to choose from. This program is being used at solo
and ensemble contests for students who can't find piano accompaniments.
These titles can also be full band or orchestra accompaniments. How
cooler can that be? It can also follow YOUR tempos. WOW!!!
There is a bunch of software out there to help with ear training and
theory and all kinds of stuff. Let us know what you want to learn and we
can find something for you.
Call Charlie for more help or information. 800-264-7228