How to develop speed most effieciently

Hey,

I'm playing for 8 years now and it seems like I've a big problem of a speed barrier.
It seems I can't get any piece of music up to speed.
What is the best way to overcome this speed barrier?

Thanks,

JediMaster wrote:Hey,

I'm playing for 8 years now and it seems like I've a big problem of a speed barrier.
It seems I can't get any piece of music up to speed.
What is the best way to overcome this speed barrier?

Thanks,

Hi JediMaster,

A great way to practice your flexibility with speed would be with a metronome. When you're playing a particular piece that has a tempo marking on it, like 120 BPM for example, set your metronome on the exact tempo marking that is specified on the piece, and practice playing it with the metronome. It will definitely help you overcome your speed and help you to maintain an accurate tempo during a piece, even if it has rubato indicated.

Im totally in the same problem... keeping the tempo is not easy for me...
I was hoping to overcome that ... I did not know people can have this problem for years.... so Im happy I read the post, I wont be too discourage if it wont happen overnight with me...
Although the ticking of my metronome drives me crazy... I just need to stop it... is there a cure for me?

maggiekedves wrote:Im totally in the same problem... keeping the tempo is not easy for me...
I was hoping to overcome that ... I did not know people can have this problem for years.... so Im happy I read the post, I wont be too discourage if it wont happen overnight with me...
Although the ticking of my metronome drives me crazy... I just need to stop it... is there a cure for me?

The metronome is a great way to help you practice the tempo of a piece. If you're easily irritated by the clicking, another way of doing it is by counting the key signature with your voice (eg. "1, 2, 3, 4... 1, 2, 3, 4...", or "Tick, tock, tock, tock", etc). It depends on what you prefer. I personally don't mind using a metronome.

i tell my students that metronomes can be very annoying at first, but they become your best friend if you just give them a chance and get to know them.

Also I tell them that the best way to stay on time with a metronome is "talk over" the metronome, imagine you know someone that annoys you, so every time they go to talk, you plug your ears and say "la la la" when they talk. This is what you want to do with the metronome, you should hear your notes falling directly on top of the clicking to the point where it's hard to hear the clicking because the note is happening at the same time!