Today I'm going to show you a process to improve any new song so that it sounds more like music.

Today we'll learn with the song ''Fire On The Mountain'' as an example.

By the way, I use the term "song" to refer to any musical piece. It could be a classical concerto, fiddle tune, or a pop song. Easy way to talk about the process.

When you first learn a song, it's in the "Can Do With Effort" phase.

This means that you can stumble your way through it. But it's not yet satisfying for you or the listener.
After that our goal is to enter the "Can Do With Flow" phase. At this point, you can play the song through without stopping. It starts to sound good and it starts to feel good.

Let's use the PlanDoReflect process of deliberate practice.

1. Plan

Make a plan. What can you improve in this song? If you're unsure, then use the Four T's as a guide:

Four T's
1. Tone
2. Tuning
3. Timing
4. Transitions

You can also focus on other aspects of the song:

• Slurs
• String crossing
• Vibrato
• Variation
• etc.

If you're still unsure what needs work, then hit Record, play the whole song and Listen back.

How will you practice that?

Then pick 14 small Chunks that you want to improve. We'll use the same process to improve each chunk. Then we'll end by playing the whole song, or at least a larger section of it.

Let's use the song :

Timing on bar 1, which may mean working out technical issues
Focus on E0A3

2. Do
Let's zero in on the first Improvement Chunk: Improve timing for bvar 1 of Fire on the Mountain

What's challenging about this?

Go Slow playing this with single reps. Work out any physical problems.

Shift focus?
Would it help to practice a smaller Chunk? E010A3

Loop this Chunk.

Then add the Metronome at a medium tempo (60 bpm).

Alternate between playing and Singing. This helps bring the music into your body.

3. Reflect

Pause and ask "What improved? What still needs work?"

4. Repeat The Process

Repeat steps 13 with the same Improvement Chunk or three others.

Improvement Chunk 2: Tuning on bar 2

Use A Drone

Improvement Chunk 3: Transition between bars 1 & 2

Improvement Chunk: Eartraining: Sing Play bars 78

Sing what you play

Visualize

Integrate

After four 5minute practice cycles, hit Record and play a larger section of the song (or the whole thing).

Take note of what you want to work on next or if the song is ready to Incubate .

We're not striving for absolute perfection. Make noticeable improvement for where you're at on the journey.

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