Author: Richard

…and now with that in mind…

On 2025-06-20

Protest songs are the greatest songs

The songs I grew up on were often “political.” Well, maybe not Chewy Chewy (but I think you might make a case for Another Pleasant Valley Sunday). I grew up on the east coast of the U.S.A. in the 60s, and they were political times. Before I heard either of those I’d heard Pete Seeger, Woody and Arlo Guthrie — Blowin’ in the Wind is one of the first songs I learned on guitar, age 9. Like all my friends, I knew every word of Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man once the Woodstock album came out.

But it was rock songs like Volunteers of America, Won’t Get Fooled Again, Fortunate Son, I Don’t Wanna Be a Soldier, Mama (Imagine, Working Class Hero, Give Peace a Chance)… that made me want to be a songwriter.

Writers penned songs calling for radical change, resistance to the establishment, and active participation in a counter-cultural movement. Titles like these were rallying cries for young people to rise up against societal injustices, particularly in the context of the Vietnam War, civil rights struggles, and broader dissatisfaction with the political and social order of the time.

Volunteers‘s tone is defiant, urgent, and idealistic, urging listeners to take action rather than passively accept the status quo. The aggressive electric guitar, pounding drums, and impassioned vocals amplify the sense of rebellion, making it one of the Airplane’s most politically charged songs.

you’re still fucking peasants as far as I can see

—John Lennon, Working Class Hero

Working Class Hero is a more stripped-down, cynical, and biting tone, and well, the F word was still a big deal — a dare perhaps? No energetic call to action, Lennon’s song is a bleak, acoustic folk ballad that lays bare the psychological oppression of the working class. His lyrics describe a society that systematically crushes individuality and keeps people in line with false promises of success. It’s among the most brutally honest and confrontational protest songs of all time.

Relevance?

No single factor guarantees that a song will endure; rather, it’s the synergy among emotional depth, cultural moment, artistic innovation, and personal connection that elevates certain songs above the rest. A song’s significance often resides in its depth of meaning and craftsmanship, while its relevance is tied to how it speaks to current experiences and continues to find new life through reinterpretation and rediscovery.

Originally dedicated to Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Björk’s Declare Independence (from Volta, 2007) became a fierce anthem encouraging oppressed peoples to break free from controlling powers in Kosovo, Tibet and everywhere people found its message relevant: “Declare independence — Don’t let them do that to you !”

I never thought of myself as a singer or a musician. I just had something to say.

— Leonard Cohen

Trying overtly to be profound will almost always make a song stiff …pretentious or didactic. “The better songs are often ones where the meaning is ambiguous. That allows people to find their own resonance,” says David Byrne. “The music has to feel right, and then meaning finds its way in.” Or Joni Mitchell: “I don’t set out to be deep. I set out to be truthful.” When you have something to say and you say it well, people listen.

Raising my flag

At this point in life I don’t imagine myself writing songs with the impact of the artists I’ve named here. I just love to play my guitar. Sometimes I have things I’d like to say, and sometimes I try to say them well in a song. It seems like it may be time once again to overcome, and we shall. I shall overcome the things holding me back up until now.

“Avoiding” politics is political

by Richard

On 2025-03-23

In Direction

Choosing to be apolitical is often seen as a neutral or passive stance, but in reality, it is a political act with significant consequences. Every society operates within a structure of power, laws, and cultural norms, and refusing to engage with these systems does not make them disappear. Instead, it allows the existing structures—whether just or unjust—to persist unchallenged. In this way, apathy is not a withdrawal from politics but an implicit endorsement of the status quo. As the saying goes, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” By choosing not to participate, one surrenders decision-making to those who are most active, whether they be visionaries or oppressors.

Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better, the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph.

Haile Selassie (Speech to the United Nations, 1963)

Moreover, in societies where injustice exists, silence and inaction function as forms of compliance. When individuals refrain from voting, speaking out, or advocating for change, they create space for the most dominant voices—often those with power, wealth, or coercive influence—to dictate the direction of society.

In a world where authoritarian tendencies, corporate interests, and social inequalities shape policy, choosing to be apolitical is effectively choosing to let these forces act unchecked. It is a surrender not just to the status quo, but to the strongest and most aggressive players within it. It favours the bullies.

Some may argue that they avoid politics to maintain peace of mind or focus on personal matters, but even this is a political position. It reflects a belief—whether conscious or not—that one’s personal well-being is separate from the collective struggles of a society. However, policies affect everything from education and healthcare to employment and civil rights. To ignore them is to risk being blindsided by changes that impact one’s life and the lives of others.

Ultimately, the choice to be apolitical is not an escape from politics but a decision to let others determine the future—often those with the most self-serving agendas. In this sense, inaction is not neutrality; it is an act of surrender.

Here are twelve quotes from diverse thinkers, activists, and leaders that support the idea that being apolitical is, in itself, a political act:

1. Paulo Freire (1921–1997, Brazil, educator and philosopher)

“Washing one’s hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.” (Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 1968)

2. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968, USA, civil rights leader)

“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.” (Stride Toward Freedom, 1958)

3. Desmond Tutu (1931–2021, South Africa, anti-apartheid activist and cleric)

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

4. Elie Wiesel (1928–2016, Romania/USA, Holocaust survivor and writer)

“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” (Nobel Peace Prize speech, 1986)

5. Alice Walker (b. 1944, USA, author and activist)

“Activism is the rent I pay for living on this planet.”

6. Angela Davis (b. 1944, USA, political activist and scholar)

“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist. We must be anti-racist.”

7. Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986, France, philosopher and feminist)

“Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.”

8. Pericles (c. 495–429 BCE, Greece, Athenian statesman)

“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”

9. Haile Selassie (1892–1975, Ethiopia, Emperor and anti-colonial leader)

“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better, the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” (Speech to the United Nations, 1963)

10. Toni Morrison (1931–2019, USA, author and Nobel laureate)

“The function of freedom is to free someone else.” (Commencement speech at Barnard College, 1979)

11. Howard Zinn (1922–2010, USA, historian and activist)

“You can’t be neutral on a moving train.” (Book title, 1994)

12. Arundhati Roy (b. 1961, India, writer and activist)

“The only thing worth globalizing is dissent.”

These quotes collectively highlight the idea that inaction, neutrality, or apathy in the face of injustice and power structures is itself a political choice—one that ultimately benefits the oppressor over the oppressed.

Breathe, and it shall be given

by Richard

On 2025-03-02

In Thoughts

Pro Metronome app with settings for 4:6 regulated breath control. Tempo 60, time signature 10/4, subdivision quarter notes. There's a strong accent set on Beat 1, and a lesser accent on Beat 5. — *Pro Metronome — “The best metronome app. Period.” Those are their words, but I don’t disagree. These settings will help you do 4:6 breathing. See below…*

Breath control is life control

When I was diagnosed with ADHD I learned there’s solid scientific evidence that controlled breathing techniques can improve focus, help regulate emotions, and reduce stress. While these are all factors that are particularly relevant for managing ADHD, the knowledge is ancient and has benefited the human family for centuries.

4:6 — the golden ratio of breath control

With diaphragm engaged, Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 6, through your nose. You will take 10 breaths each minute. Butterflies disintegrate. Anxiety melts away. If you practice several times a day, in about 3 weeks it will become easy.

This is not new!

The integration of biofeedback into ADHD management is, in many ways, a scientific rediscovery of wisdom that has guided monks, yogis, and meditators for millennia. What is new is our ability to measure and fine-tune these techniques with modern tools, offering personalized, data-driven approaches to cultivating focus and self-regulation. For musicians like me, this has a direct impact not only on mental clarity but also on technical precision, fluidity, and expressive depth in performance.

Both modern science and ancient traditions converge on the idea that a longer exhale is beneficial for calming the nervous system, improving attention, and reducing stress. Given that ADHD is often associated with heightened sympathetic activity (fight-or-flight response), techniques that prolong exhalation—such as the 4-second inhale, 6-second exhale pattern I practice—can help restore balance and enhance focus, impulse control, and emotional regulation.

Practices such as pranayama in yoga, zen meditation (zazen), and breath-focused Vipassana all emphasize deliberate control of respiration to calm the mind and enhance awareness. Modern neurofeedback and biofeedback systems mirror the traditional emphasis on deep breathing as a gateway to mental clarity and self-mastery.

Practices that cultivate slow, rhythmic breathing—whether through Buddhism-inspired meditation, yogic breath work, or contemporary HRV (heart rate variability) biofeedback—appear to share a common mechanism: regulation of the autonomic nervous system.

By slowing the breath to around six cycles per minute (a frequency also seen in traditional contemplative practices), these methods increase parasympathetic activity (rest-and-digest response) while reducing excessive arousal in the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response). This balance fosters greater cognitive control, emotional stability, and resilience—all of which are valuable for musicians striving for peak performance.

A practical way for musicians (and everyone else who wants to try 4:6)

The image above shows Pro Metronome app with settings for 4:6 regulated breath control. Tempo 60, time signature 10/4, subdivision quarter notes. There’s a strong accent set on Beat 1, and a lesser accent on Beat 5.

Why This Works

1. Rhythmic Entraining of the Nervous System

Using 60 BPM aligns your breathing with a precise, predictable timing, reinforcing autonomic regulation (which ADHD brains often struggle with).
The 10/4 meter creates a natural musical flow, making it easier to internalize.

2. Motor-Sensory Integration

Pairing breath with instrument practice strengthens neuromuscular coordination.
This links timing, attention, and body awareness, making the breathing habit feel automatic.

3. Cognitive & Learning Benefits

Since tempo perception and working memory are tied to dopamine (which ADHD brains often lack), this method reinforces rhythmic precision, helping with focus and musical accuracy.
Practising with controlled breathing also helps in phrasing and relaxation, especially for pieces that require precise breath control (for wind instruments, singing, or even string bowing).

Helping Non-Musicians

For non-musicians, a metronome app like Pro Metronome or Soundbrenner can be set to:

60 BPM, accent on beats 1 & 5 (for the inhale/exhale structure).
Used during walking, stretching, or typing to create a subconscious rhythmic breathing pattern.
Integrated with other rhythmic activities like drumming, clapping, or even pacing during work.

Applied to practice

In most parts of the world today, most of the music most of us hear is in 4/4. I do the 10/4 metronome practice to achieve 4:6 breathing before and after I practice scales, songs, studies and pieces. My goal is to keep breathing, and maintain the relaxation—and serene guitar faces—that brings me. I’m wary of holding my breath while I’m playing. When I make mistakes and become distracted I often notice I’m holding my breath. I believe these techniques could be applied later I may have great benefit, but I believe for the time being, I will stick to my 4;6 ratio during general daily activities, and try not to hold my breath while I’m practising or performing music. But there are good reasons reasons I might try other patterns and techniques in the future.

Other ratios

Box breathing or four-square breathing, is a structured breathing technique that promotes relaxation and focus. It involves four equal phases:

Inhale for a count of four
Hold the breath for a count of four
Exhale for a count of four
Hold the breath again for a count of four

This technique is used in mindfulness meditation and stress management, and it has been adopted by groups like the U.S. Navy SEALs to improve focus under pressure.

While box breathing follows a strict symmetrical pattern, other breathing techniques, such as 4-7-8 breathing (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8), emphasize a longer exhalation to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. A 2023 study found that just five minutes of breathwork daily, including methods like box breathing, led to greater improvements in mood and physiological stress responses compared to mindfulness meditation alone. Other research suggests benefits such as reduced blood pressure, improved attention, and decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Conclusion

Scientific studies suggest that controlled breathing techniques, including box breathing, can lower stress, improve mood, and even enhance cognitive function. All of the above can only enhance musicianship. Since beginning this practice I notice it takes me less time to memorize pieces and passages. My anxiety levels when playing or recording, and stage fright in general, have decreased profoundly. This is something that has helped me achieve much more than simply remembering where I put my wallet!

Day-after-day in the life

by Richard

On 2025-02-26

In Thoughts

The road to Frustration is paved with well intended advice!

Very little can make me lose my mind as quickly as losing my wallet. Losing my keys, my glasses, my pen, the guitar pick I just had in my hand… these recurring stories quickly led to severe negative self talk and a lingering sense of dread. They always happened with no time to spare. In the presence of others, there were limits to the outward expressions of the rage I felt in such moments. These scenarios frequently led me to being late—if losing track of the time, forgetting a meeting or appointment altogether hadn’t already sealed my fate.

“Put your keys in the same place every time! Set an alarm! Use a planner! Set a list!” None of these well-meaning suggestions worked for me. I would lose the planner, ignore the alarm, forget the list, or derail a carefully built habit within days. The repeated failures didn’t just frustrate me—they eroded my confidence and self-respect. No matter how positive I felt at the start of each new day over the years I started to believe that no matter how hard I tried, I was doomed to be scattered, late, and unreliable.

The ADHD Challenge

For many people, losing track of things now and then is an inconvenience. For me, it’s a relentless cycle—one that shapes my sense of self every day. ADHD isn’t just about being forgetful or distracted; it’s about executive function challenges that affect nearly every aspect of daily life. Executive function is what allows us to plan, organize, prioritize, and follow through on tasks. When those processes don’t work as they should, simple routines feel like complex puzzles, and small setbacks spiral into overwhelming frustration.

Much of the advice I receive assumes that better organization or stricter discipline will solve the problem. But ADHD doesn’t work that way. It’s not about knowing what to do—it’s about reliably doing it. I can intellectually grasp the benefits of systems and routines, but actually maintaining them feels impossible. When I inevitably slip up, the frustration compounds. Why can’t I just stick with it like everyone else? Why does something as small as putting my keys in the same place feel like an uphill battle?

Mindfulness as an Anchor

What’s finally helping me isn’t another productivity hack or external system—it’s shifting how I experience the moment. I’m learning to ground myself in real time, and it’s making all the difference. Instead of relying on an autopilot habit, I place my keys down with intention: pausing, breathing, and telling myself, I am placing my keys here. That small act of presence, learned and internalized by regular meditation guided with the Medito app, turns out to be far more effective than any rigid system I have tried before. It’s changing how I approach time, focus, and self-compassion. Rather than berating myself for past mistakes or worrying about future ones, I anchor myself in what I am doing right now. With practice, mindfulness is becoming more than a tool. It’s breaking the cycle of frustration and self-doubt that has held me back for so long.

Invitation to the Reader

Medito offers a range of guided and unguided meditations for relaxation, stress relief, and mindfulness. It’s a free, nonprofit app that operates on a “pay what you can” basis, making it one of the most accessible resources available. Medito for iOS. Medito for Android.

Some similar highly recommended tools include:

• Headspace – Offers structured courses, single meditations, and sleep-focused content. Free trial available, then requires a subscription.

• Calm – Focuses on relaxation, including sleep stories narrated by well-known voices. Free trial, then subscription-based.

• Buddhify – Designed for busy lifestyles, offering meditations for everyday activities like commuting or scrolling online. One-time purchase with no subscription.

Whatever approach you try in a single day must be supported by consistent practice. One way to make this easier is by replacing an existing habit—like morning social media scrolling—with meditation. A few minutes each day can lead to real transformation.

All the best!
Om Ami Dewa Hrih Om*

* The Amitabha Mantra: This mantra means "To overcome all the hindrances and obstacles. Source

My first release in 44 years!

by Richard

On 2024-10-21

In Thoughts

I did it! I’ve recorded many demos and rehearsal tapes since my first attempt to present myself to the world as singer-songwriter, The Wump EP, 1980. I’ve played original music of mine, co-written, and contributed to numerous projects of others, but when it drops on October 25th, 2024, it will represent my first public “release.” Before I go a step further I must acknowledge Rob Mayzes, the dedicated educators he’s assembled who run The Reverse Engineer program, and the immensely supportive TRE Community who, I estimate, have shaved at least 6 years off what it’d have taken me to learn a Digital Audio Workstation and develop a mindset that now permits me to share with all of you something approaching what I actually hear in my head. Caleb, Rob, Dane, Jake, Mike… Nick, Lucy, Chris, Rob S., …the other Mike(s!) — I am forever grateful. This has meant so much to me.

The Mentors of Mastering.com L-R: Caleb Loveless, Rob Mayzes, Dane Holmes, Jake Kodweis, Michael Gilbride — **The Mentors of Mastering.com**
L-R: Caleb Loveless, Rob Mayzes,
Dane Holmes, Jake Kodweis,
Michael Gilbride
— Dark Horse Recording, June 24, 2024
**Photo**: yours truly

Upstairs at Toronto’s legendary El Mocambo with Afraid To Dance, 1984
**Photo**: from video by Ron Shaw

As a person who has studied teaching and learning in some depth (M.Ed. York University, 2013) the highly effective “outcomes based” nature of the program captured my attention from the start. Working “backwards” from mastering to production makes perfect sense, and mimics the way we solve many math and other “problems.” Once in, I found this attention to mindset and process is maintained throughout the curriculum. I asked Caleb Loveless, Director of Education at Mastering.com, about his background. It wasn’t an interview and there’s no transcript: I concluded he’s simply a natural, who not only loves what he does but is excited to share what he knows and, like every other result of proven process approached consistently with this mindset, has arrived at an efficient and effective way to get the results he imagined.

When I joined TRE, releasing decent-sounding music of my own was all I envisioned. And yet I’ve gained the ability to mix and master for others, and a whole new perspective on the modern music industry. A realistic one. I knew my feet had found their way back to my life’s true path. I did not anticipate becoming a full stack producer—because I lacked a process and mindset, and lurked in the shadows.

If you want to hear what else they’ve unleashed in me just stick around. If you or anyone you know wants to learn how to produce music—as a lifestyle—don’t wait another minute: The Reverse Engineer.

It is the business and policy of traitors, so to disguise their treason with plausible names, and so to recommend it with popular and bewitching colours, that they themselves shall be adored, while their work is detested, and yet carried on by those that detest it.

—John Trenchard
(Cato’s Letter No. 17. Saturday, February 18, 1721 — What Measures are actually taken by wicked and desperate Ministers to ruin and enslave their Country.)

May these New Dark Ages soon pass!

“Learning is what I do…”

by Richard

On 2024-08-03

In Thoughts

The blessing and the curse

For oh, the past 30 – 40 years I’ve identified as a “lifelong learner.” It sounds amazing, right? I’ve always taken great pride in the title. Since learning about my ADHD though, I’ve taken a very close look at the things I’ve actually done with all this learning, in particular, the things I’ve finished. It’s not a lengthy catalogue, and it’s been gathering dust.

Learning is not always doing

It’s easier to list the things I didn’t finish: high school and two colleges are the biggies, and I’ve lost count of the projects. The “paperwork” (certificates, diplomas…) just didn’t mean anything to me. and I might even have been caught snarking at the lack of barriers I faced due to that… “attitude,” is exactly what it was. I had more than enough “credits,” simply not the “right” ones; I just took the courses I wanted—not always what they said I “need.”

But, beyond the obvious youthful exuberance and naivete, this attitude was based in very large part on the fact I was doing things I associated with my goals, things I wanted to do. I was learning with others, resulting in a social life. I was playing music for income and teaching. I finished three university programs, learning computers on the side and monetizing the knowledge.

I developed a reliance on that source of income that simply wasn’t in proportion to the satisfaction level it provided. I now have one entire bulletin board at work dedicated to “certificates of completion” for things I’ve completed—but never done! It might be why I don’t buy into every “set a quota, just finish things” or (the extreme) “quantity is quality” arguments I’ve heard. In many cases they come from smart, highly creative and productive, well-intended people—who can never share my particular experience in my unique space within the neurodiversity spectrum.

Meditation …and a checklist

Unquestionably, meditation, with diaphragm breathing, preceded a recent burst of creativity. I’m not suggesting it’s the catalyst, but I’m certain it’s an important facilitator.

To reject the imposter and emerge from the shadows

I have always been unnecessarily hard on myself. I meditate to stop doing that. In the Medito app I choose affirmations and loving kindness topics such self-esteem, motivation and loneliness, including Giovanni’s.

I track the things I want to do, including daily meditation, on a checklist I keep at the desk where I now create most of my music—a place I visit often, where I’ve been able to reliably keep a couple pens. It’s a spreadsheet I did in LibreOffice, with a column of weekdays forming weeks of rows down the side and 10 activity columns across the top. Of those, 8 are music-self-development items, 1 is “household” and the last one is titled, “If it’s a win, write it in.”

Here’s my only caution: I found it much easier to strengthen and internalize diaphragm breathing meditating on my back. With that foundation, I’m committing to doing it seated, at my desk, before I work or practice. While it’s true successful meditation is by no means reserved for those who practice “The Posture,” I’m convinced there’s a special quality, a centring effect it contributes, that might increase effectiveness.

Next time you’re in your creative space, try meditating before you start any “work.” Think about how you felt a time your work was praised. Create a positive affirmation, like (all or any part of) “People recognize and admire my talent. I am worthy of the respect of my peers. May my ideas today spring forth, flower and bear fruit.” Then think of someone you admire for their creativity, and rephrase your affirmation accordingly: “I recognize and admire your talent. You are worthy of the respect of your peers. May your ideas spring forth, flower and inspire.”

Now make this a habit. Good luck!

Nashville!

by Richard

On 2024-06-22

In Thoughts

I’m in Nashville, Tennessee this weekend with many fellow Reverse Engineers. We’ve had a couple days to network and see the sights. In a minute I’m off to the Gallery of Iconic Guitars.

This is another milestone in my journey. In just a year I’ve learned how to mix and master music in a digital audio workstation (DAW) and developed my hearing and listening skills in ways I’d feared might be beyond a person my age. I’m part of a highly supportive community, dedicated to bolstering our own learning through interaction and collaboration with others. It seems quite unique in an era and industry sometimes known for cutthroat competition. I am grateful.

The Mentors of Mastering.com
L-R: Caleb Loveless, Rob Mayzes, Dane Holmes, Jake Kodweis, Michael Gilbride

More to follow!

Hello world!

by Richard

On 2024-01-19

In Thoughts

One measure of music marked to repeat "ad infinitum", at 86 beats per minute. The notes a, d and d appear, with guitar chord diagrams above the, also A, D, D.

Guitar Faces, as I quip frequently, is a music blog “for the practising musician” — meaning that even before the infamous pandemic, and despite a 16-year stretch where my guitar playing paid all my bills — I’ve arrived once again at a place in my life where I do a lot more practising than performing. But I was surprised and dismayed when old foils like stage fright and writer’s block threatened to return. How could this be happening… again?

That’s when I learned about undiagnosed adult ADHD. It err, struck a chord with me. In a windmill down stroke worthy of Townsend (or Cervantes) so much of my experience attempting a career in music fell into place. Getting a grip on my innate inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity is improving my playing.

Reinvesting in myself is the word I want to use for it, not reinventing. My spiritual quest, if you will, has always been to be the best me I can be…

Reinvesting in myself is the word I want to use for it, not reinventing. My spiritual quest has always been to be the best me I can be, which has always in some way meant being the best guitarist I can be—since I was 14. Neurofeedback, at 63, enabled me to experience meditation in ways that eluded me a lifetime. Meditation now informs my guitar practice.

Keeping a journal is a highly recommended strategy for all professionals, regardless of their place on the neurodiversity spectrum. This journal is primarily for me; you are invited to look, see and engage as much or as little as suits you. My production services will always remain competitive. My experiences and the story of my journey will always be free.

Now… about those faces…

What if all I ever do is practice?

by Richard

On 2023-06-06

In Thoughts

Out of the woodshed

While there can be no question that the power of a shared experience with an audience is unparalleled, or that music is an essentially social phenomenon, I answer this question only after considering what it would be like for me to never play at all. It would be unbearable. And when it’s not all about getting gigs and keeping students I can play whatever I want. It’s entirely about improving my playing and my musicianship.

It’s not a good idea to never practice finishing things. A repertoire, a set list and a piece or two at the ready are important goals and benchmarks. Practice can be designed to establish and maintain these things.

My personal form of practice has to include a significant amount of time for breathing and relaxation, especially at these early stages. I’m also a big believer in building up “practice loops,” from one or two measures to ever longer chinks. But doing just loops and never just playing a piece or song from beginning to end is no better for your musicianship than it is for the sanity of family and neighbours who may be subjected to it!

So if you’re your only audience for a while then play yourself a concert! Don’t think twice about it or let yourself feel self conscious over it. Keep your eye focused on the prize, which is improving. For any musician, improving musicianship is the most direct form of self-improvement.

Breathing and relaxation

I was always in a seated position at neurofeedback sessions, but I learned more about diaphragm breathing lying on my back. My guided meditation often suggests sitting, and letting go of breath control, but for serving the creepy crawlies of anxiety their eviction notice, it’s been my experience that some hyper-focus is in order.

“practice loops”

The new rule, for my ADD is: add a visual element. This can be a variety of strategies, but I like to involve reading standard notation or watching the display of my metronome, that I may from time to time set up in special ways. Technology can certainly enhance one’s ability to distill powerful knowledge from hands-on/ears-on lived experience. I use at least 3 or 4 apps regularly. My metronome, Audacity, Drum Genius, MuseScore, my DAW (Reaper), plugins within my DAW…

What to practise?

by Richard

On 2023-05-29

In Thoughts

Not what – how!

I’m going to just say it straight off the top: what you practice is not as important as how you practice it. Here are some basics. I’m going to elaborate on all of them, but not now.

Use a metronome or other timekeeper

I have more than one, but I haven’t always used them. I now believe in using it every time I practise, but not necessarily for the entire practice. I mainly use Pro Metronome by EUMLab.

Drum machines are also good, and I spend time with Drum Genius.

Listen carefully to the drum loop, measure its length, surf on the meter, breath and move your body following the time feel. When you feel comfortable, play or sing, trying to groove with the loop as much as you can and remember: DON’T MISS THE ONE!
Mauro Battisti (creator, Drum Genius)

Read music

This helps me focus and improves my memory. My ADD-aware approach is to look at the entire page while breathing through my nose to lower my heart rate. I try to take it in all at once, noting time and key signature, dynamics and form. My goal for reading is to hear it in pitch even without my instrument.

I’m not a fan of tablature, especially when it has no rhythm. It makes it even harder for me to follow the staves.

Scales, double stops, triad inversions

Segovia’s fingerings are awesome — but incomplete. I now try to know his fingerings, but mix and match the position changes. The Berklee two-octave scales are an important aid in this. Segovia gives you 3 or 4 fingerings that work for all major and melodic minor scales in all 24 keys. The classic melodic minor scale’s descending form is the natural minor.

The 7th mode of the jazz melodic minor, also known as “the altered scale,” is an important one Segovia skipped. The first 4 notes are a diminished scale, and the next 4 are a whole tone scale.

I’ve done fingerings based on Segovia’s and Berklee’s (William G. Leavitt’s) for all the church modes, which I’ll post here eventually.

Thirds, sixths and tenths are the obvious double-stops to begin with, and chromatic octaves. This chromatic octave exercise is often the first thing I do when I pick up the nylon string guitar.

Chromatic octaves with fingerings for guitar — Do these slowly and deliberately, each note equal volume

Relax

Breathe. Meditate. Seriously — practice can be a form of meditation. For me it has to remain mindful. I support The Medito Foundation and I use their app for guided meditation.