Exercise books are overrated. In my opinion, a player/artist will always get more out of learning songs/pieces/tunes then you will get out of pure exercises. When you perform, you will not play exercises.
All a player needs is a daily practice routine. These can rotate over time, but it really needs to be something you do daily. Here are the ones I generally do.
All major scales(triplets, quads, double touging, etc.)
Arpeggios(Mostly diatonic Cma7, Dmi7, Emi7, Fma7, G7, Ami7, Bmi7b5) in all keys.
Various dynamic exercise(Volume, vibrato, etc....) from the bottom to the top of the instrument range.
3rd octave penta chords.(C,D,E,F,G,F,E,D,C) up and down starting from C3, C#, D, etc.. until I hit D4 in all keys.(On my Miyazawa I can play up to E4 without many issues)
This usually will take about 20 minutes. I try to do this every time I warm up.
Another challenge is memorization. It is one thing to be able to sight read a piece. However, you will be able to perform a piece better after you memorize it. If you notice, some of the more enjoyable artists to listen to are the ones that are not trying to sight read while they are performing. Most well rehearsed pros only use the sheet music on stage as a reference.
To sum it up, learn pieces/songs/tunes. It will take you a lot farther than you will ever get with exercises/etudes.
This is just my opinion. I am sure others will chime in and give you their views.
Phineas
Etudes?
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
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fluffehkitteh
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 5:30 pm
Re: Etudes?
I don't post here often, but figure I might be able to weigh in here!
Personally, my time on etudes vary. I'm currently a music ed major at a university and my teacher there has requirements on etudes. We're supposed to finish 6 etudes a term (we also have technique requirements separate from our etude requirements). Depending on the etudes, sometimes it takes me a week, sometimes it takes me closer to a month. It really depends on what the etude is about. If it's something that goes more with my strengths, it will take me less time then one that is not really to my strengths. My average is probably 2 weeks to learn, 3 weeks to clear with my teacher. For example, since the beginning of this term (Jan 2nd) I've finished one etude, almost finished one more, and just starting a third one.
However, when classes are not in session and I'm working on things on my own, I rarely do etudes. During the summer I stick mostly with technical exercises and use etudes just as sight-reading practice.
Repertoire is always at the forefront of everything I do though. Priorities. =)
Personally, my time on etudes vary. I'm currently a music ed major at a university and my teacher there has requirements on etudes. We're supposed to finish 6 etudes a term (we also have technique requirements separate from our etude requirements). Depending on the etudes, sometimes it takes me a week, sometimes it takes me closer to a month. It really depends on what the etude is about. If it's something that goes more with my strengths, it will take me less time then one that is not really to my strengths. My average is probably 2 weeks to learn, 3 weeks to clear with my teacher. For example, since the beginning of this term (Jan 2nd) I've finished one etude, almost finished one more, and just starting a third one.
However, when classes are not in session and I'm working on things on my own, I rarely do etudes. During the summer I stick mostly with technical exercises and use etudes just as sight-reading practice.
Repertoire is always at the forefront of everything I do though. Priorities. =)