Ukulele Instrumentalists

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Comment by Curt Sheller on October 9, 2009 at 7:41pm

I use Sibelius and some sweat the details too much. I'm starting to just write key voicings and a roadmap and not go into the details of the voicings. Only if it is not one of my typical voicings.

Plus I'm getting better at reading chords stacks.

I love the CRS. That is my Initials Curt Robert Sheller. I use that.

Comment by Craig Brandau on October 9, 2009 at 6:43pm

Hey Curt,

One of my challenges is that I spend my limited practice time inputing arrangements into Finale. My mentor, Howard, keeps cranking out these great piece and I have a backlog to input. I've decided to stop doing this for awhile--until my breaks from school.

I too agree with writing stuff out. The older I get the more my CRS (Can't Remember Shit) kicks in.

Comment by Curt Sheller on October 9, 2009 at 1:05pm

I mainly focus on new stuff that I'm getting in to the repertoire. I also make sure that I write it out. Writing it out sometimes reveals new voicings or a different way to play. Recording it is not enough, then you have to transcribe yourself. A recording and written documentation combined are better.

If I have a performance coming up or a recording I focus on that material only. I work on sections, even small phrases over and over and over. Rarely playing through the whole piece until all sections are worked out and mastered. Then I perfect the overall performance of the arrangement or song. If it is a section that I have a high level of confidence that I'll never screw up in performance I'll never practice it.

I do avocate writing arrangements down, however you can Standard music notation, chord grids, TAB and any combination. So even when it gets to the point that you can't really forget it. You have something to check with for reference. Somethings might change from your original arrangement that you did not expect and still sound good but not be your original. I've even when back and incorporated mistakes that I like in to the original.

I even write stuff out without the instrument at hand. Then you really know it. If you really know it intellectually, you own it and then you can start "playing" with it, adding variations, phrasing the melody different, try different styles, etc.

After several down-sizings, I went full time music, teaching, writing books, the web sites and performing. My playing really went up a notch. My income went down 50%. So the "Quit your day job!" if you can. Gives you a lot of time to work on music. Less money to spend. I see the workers at the music store I teach at always fooling with various instruments that they are not familiar with. A few minutes here and there pays off. Over several years one or two have taught themselves piano.

I used to keep a guitar under my desk when I was a full time programmer and pulling late hours. When the programs I were working on where compiling I'd pull the guitar out and get fiver minutes in.

When you only have a few minutes to "practice", you sometimes actually practice. Before you pick up your instrument. Have a goal. Lots of short term goals are better then one or two long term goals. And, the short term goals always add up in the long run. Practicing and player or performing are different. My Dad had to hear me play in public before he ever heard me finish a song. If you are an intermediate or advanced player. You practicing, to someone listening should never sound like a full song.

Comment by Alan Johnson on October 9, 2009 at 11:21am

I work on sections of new things then devote the rest of my time to brushing up on the old. Limiting my time to working on only sections of new pieces forces me to really think about them.. what works? what doesn't? is this fingering any better for me? I've also forced myself to use a metronome which considerably changes how I practice and how much time gets devoted to new versus old.

Comment by John in Fla on October 8, 2009 at 8:42pm

First, you quit the day job, making a living only gets in the way of quality practice time!
It would seem that you have answered the question, work on new stuff and cont. to polish the old. Most days, I will set a special time (usually early in the morning) for the new and just rotate the other stuff during the course of the day.
I love that feeling when you have a tune memorised; 1/3 muscle/finger memory; 1/3 regular memory, trying to think a second ahead of what your playing; and 1/3 transendental medatation. That feeling makes it all worth while.

Comment by Jim D'Ville on October 8, 2009 at 8:41pm

I simply like to dress fancy and play simple tunes...

Comment by Brian Hefferan on October 8, 2009 at 8:27pm

I mostly just spend the time on the new stuff. I forget the fancy arrangements quickly too. I aim to keep one or two of the fancy ones in shape for performance. Usually that's all I need.

Comment by Craig Brandau on October 8, 2009 at 7:00pm

So as an instrumentalist who plays complex arrangements, how does one set up a practice schedule. Do you divide up your practice time between old songs and ones you'd like to learn? If I don't play the old songs, I forget them and the new stuff can eat up all of my time.

Ideas?

Comment by Marcy Marxer on September 10, 2009 at 11:49pm

These are great links. Thank you!

Comment by Valéry Sauvage on September 10, 2009 at 11:29am

I just forgot Rob's site :
http://www.fingerstyleuke.com/
5£ for each book, but good music and arrangements !
Val

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