So I’ve been trying to learn Jethro Tull’s Aqualung as part of my in person lessons. Instructor said I could move on to another song whenever I wanted, but I’m challenging myself to get this one down and it’s kicking my butt.
Playing along using Songsterr and I can play the full song at 70% tempo. Bumped it to 80% and I’d say I’m able to do about 80% correct lol. Last night tried just bumping a couple percent at a time but I most have been tilted cause I the fingers were flying and the mistakes were plenty.
Any tips for helping getting things up to tempo other than what I’m doing with just running it over and over slower until it’s right and then increasing?
When you learn practice with no time.
When you practice start slow and “frog in the pot” method is the best method. I’ve gone as low as 1%. Increments 10 reps per session over a few weeks.
But you’ll always get the “push” when playing at original and feels like you are dragging. The only cure for me is to up it til 110% or 120%. It will be awkward every session but once you drop back to original from 120%, you’ll be dogging bullets like Neo,
There was an SBL video with Charles Berthoud a few weeks ago where he was learning a Hedrick Linder solo as fast as possible. He was starting off slow and piecemealing it and when he had it at about 70% suggested he bump it to over 100% tempo so when he goes slower it’ll seem easy. I forget how far over he went but he basically crushed it. I think he estimated he got it about 95% right.
Going slow to get the sequence of movements right is key, like @Al1885 said, it’s not about timing, it’s about doing the right move over and over. Sometimes it’s a small movement that can get you massive speed.
One thing I might add is how important it is for you to be relaxed. I was jamming with a buddy and he pointed out my right shoulder was too tense. That slows me down in my right hand, so… I am now experimenting with wearing the strap lower to be able to relax.
Have fun figuring out the small stuff, it’s worth it and it’ll get you speed “for free.”
