[PepticDust]

One of the things we get told alot is to start slow, something I don't doubt. I've always started slow then gradually sped up, usually finding myself getting nowhere after a certain speed. My teacher says the whole point of going slow is to break down what you are doing to play and see what you are doing wrong. Maybe you need to use a different fingering, maybe you need to get to a certain string faster, maybe to do that, you need to keep your finger closer to the string.

I agree with all of this, my question is, once you've figured out the right way to play something, do you still need to speed up gradually? Or just practice slow until you've worked out the kinks then go at it full speed?

[starsailor]

I don't know how other people do it Peptic but if I'm practicing a song I've learnt recently and I've got the hang of it, I usually just run through the chords or notes just to make sure I've got the changes in my head, I think if you're doing a cover this is relatively straightforward but it does help if you've written a song as you might find another chord that will fit in and improve the melody, with new songs the practice gives you an opportunity to fine tune the song, but once you've done a run through to check the arrangement I think you can then go at full speed, most bands have practice sessions just to make sure their on the same wave length and it doesn't really matter how often they play the song, a little refresher is always worthwhile just to make certain.
I was recording a song last night and I got near the end and forgot the words, if I'd taken a little more time to double check the lyrics the recording would have been spot on, so taking it slow for a few minutes pays off in the long run.

Cheers

Chris

[Tekker]

IMO, it depends really on what you're doing.

If you are learning a new song, but using chords and techniques you are already very comfortable with then I see no problem in going at full speed right off the bat, once you learn the song.

I think that going slow is more for perfecting techniques and this is especially useful if you are learning a brand new technique. For example, say you're trying to learn sweep picking, then you would want to start off slow until you get it sounding "perfect" at a very slow speed. Then gradually speed it up and making sure that you keep the same technique as you speed up. If you try starting off to fast right away, then it can sound sloppy because you haven't got the technique nailed yet.

The same applies to chords, strumming or anything. If you start off playing at full speed and it doesn't sound right, then slow back down and gradually speed back up. Doing the technique correctly multiple times at slow speeds will reinforce the good techniques.

Remember, that practice makes permanent. If you are practicing fast and sloppy, then most likely you will always play fast and sloppy unless you slow down to a speed where you can see what you're doing wrong and correct the technique.

-tkr

[felixdcat]

I practice it slowly until I'm sure I'm 100% relaxed, then I play it up to speed, again relaxed. I'm always relaxed.

[6string]

In school they told me "practice makes perfect", then they said "nobody's perfect", so....I quit practicing

[felixdcat]

Originally Posted by 6string

In school they told me "practice makes perfect", then they said "nobody's perfect", so....I quit practicing

[Alawiggle]

i never practice. i take the john mayer way, and just "play". practicing is boring, but if you put it into the thought of playing for fun, then you'll be practicing but won't really know it 'cause you're enjoying it


long story short, if you're not enjoying what you're doing stop doing it.

[felixdcat]

I hate to say it, but I'm not into practicing a lot. I play songs, I 'pratice'/play them until they sound good. I don't do scales and such stuff.

[ragser]

Originally Posted by Alawiggle

i never practice. i take the john mayer way, and just "play". practicing is boring, but if you put it into the thought of playing for fun, then you'll be practicing but won't really know it 'cause you're enjoying it


long story short, if you're not enjoying what you're doing stop doing it.

I look at all playing as practice. No matter how easily you can play a song it's still practice, whether it's about gaining perfection in the notes or maintaining skill.