Gain speed and accuracy by grouping notes (video)
What do you do when fast isn’t fast enough?
Inspired by my friend Noa Kageyama at the Bulletproof Musician, I made a video about how to get those fingers moving at warp speed… but accurately!
It isn’t slow practice exactly… but it isn’t fast either. Just watch and see. This hybrid approach, through the grouping of notes, will get your fingers moving as a team.
In my video, I demonstrate two passages from the Tchaikovsky concerto:
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Even if you’ve never played a scale before, violinist Nathan Cole of the Los Angeles Philharmonic will guide you through scale routines that meet you where you are, and build progressively alongside your playing.
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“My playing continues to improve months later and I have retained and integrated the teachings in my playing since.”
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I am a piano student. I’m not sure this blog will be a benefit.
Hi Lois, it’s true that a lot of my videos tend to focus on violin repertoire and technique. Of course I don’t have experience putting this grouping technique to use on the piano, but I bet there’s a similar technique that pianists use to help gain speed and fluency in fast passages! Is there a technique you know of to help with that on piano?
In general though, stick around! I write a lot about auditions and most audition advice applies to performing in general. I bet you’ll find some posts you like. All the best!
Fantastic video. Just saw it at Bulletproof Musician. I’m a pianist, but this applies just as well. It’s not taught enough in schools! I see so many musicians struggling with technique/speed when quite a bit, if not all, of their difficulties would be fixed by applying this type of practicing. Grouping notes has done wonders for me. Thanks again for a great video!
Thanks Brian, always happy when a technique applies across different instruments!
Genius! Love it. My teacher was trying to tell me the same, but I take my time. Thanks for this. P
I’ve always used dotted rhythms for fast passages and it has worked well, but this method seems better for high speed scales. I feel like this is closer to the actual way the passage is supposed to be played. I gotta try it. Thanks!!!
Yes, that’s why I think this method is so effective. It translates better to the actual passage in performance. I hope it’s the same for you!
Thank you so much Nathan your videos are always made in an easy, friendly approach that i can relate to and hopefully many others 🙂
Many thanks!
Wonderful video, I’m working on speed but/with accuracy now with my teacher. You’re video is a great visual resource to what she is saying (echoing your procedure). Thank you!
This post is great. The base principle is while you are playing the long note you have the time to prepare short note or notes (if grouped). I love this principle.
Great and useful video! Thank you for sharing this wonderful approach!