The other day I was noodling around with some “mini shape” transitions and stumbled upon the intro to End of the Line by the Traveling Wilburys.
The last phrase of the intro has the chords G > A > D > A > D.
I’m playing it using a combination of mini shapes with the
- root on the 3rd string
- root on the 2nd string
- or root on the first string
The phrase sounds like this.
Playing it before I really dig in. Click to enlarge the video window.
Maybe you can hear that there are some small gaps in the moves between chords. I can hear that, and it’s NOT how I want to sound! I’d better dig in.
My understanding of what to play is clear, so that means my playing habits are creating some hesitations between the chords.
Time to remove those hesitations.
How does one go about that?
Here is the process I use to find, and begin to correct, habits that are holding me back.
It’s not just a matter of practice. I need to figure out exactly what my fingers are already doing, and work one changing THOSE habit. What I don’t want to do is just keep practicing over and over and over, and there by continuing to engrain the stuff I’m trying to remove.
Here is a video where I’m not looking for the sound. I’m looking for where I see moments, of hesitation, or confusion on the part of my fingers.
Looking for issues in my left hand fingers. Click to enlarge the video window.
Now it’s just a matter of putting in the time and effort to build a set of new habits. I’m going ot have to spend A LONG TIME practicing like this.
Part of the problem is that I’ve been playing for a long time and these habits are well engrained. I’m going to have to be mindful of this work throughout all of my playing time for week? months? Years?
Beginning the Process of Cleaning Up My Playing
Yep. Now that I’m aware of the issue, it’s getting a little bit better.
But, this is far from a new habit. It’s going to take A LOT longer, and a ton of patience, to be able to do this with less tension.
I know that, once the tension is relieved, I’ll be able to bring it up to tempo.
It I try to play it at a faster tempo now, I will unconsciously revert to the ingrained habit of playing with tension.
I hope this was interesting for you.
Do you have known, or unknown habits, that you’d like to work on? I’m available for private and small group lesson, in person in Albuquerque, NM or virtually on Zoom.
In my experience, it is doing this kind of work that is PERFECT for virtual work. We’d be able to identify problem areas, and create a practice plan for you to bust through those limitations!
