When learning music pieces or scales, there are different methods for approaching the work.

Once you begin learning music pieces or certain practice pieces such as scales or modes, you’ll inevitably run into parts where you stumble every time, no matter how many times you try to play through it. In my opinion, trying to learn a piece or scale by struggling through it beginning to end over and over and over again is a recipe for disaster and frustration.

The very best way, as I’ve found, is to approach your song, piece or scales in sections, beginning with measure by measure, or left hand then right hand if playing piano or guitar. Perfect a measure and then move on to the next, then the next, and so on. You will achieve so much greater satisfaction and skill quicker than you will with the beginning to end method. Continue reading →