Practice Sequence Pyramid

The Sequence Explained

1.  FOUNDATION: Tone Quality and Steady Beat are the foundation for all musical study and should be the first priority in the learning process. To insure proper tone, appropriate posture/carriage/breathing technique and bowing for strings is necessary. Steady beat is our internal pulse that divides musical time evenly. A steady beat divided into different parts creates rhythmic patterns. Make sure these two broad concepts are functioning well before attempting to read music.

 

2.  RHYTHM: Once a proper tone is achieved and maintained, the next focus should be on rhythm. Too often students will place their emphasis on pitch and lose their sense of rhythm. Remember the old adage” The right note in the wrong place is a wrong note?" or "It is better to play the wrong note in the right place than the right note in the wrong place.” Most importantly, students must maintain a sense of steady beat at all times. Steady beat fosters a learning process that programs the brain more efficiently.

 

3.  PITCH: Pitch refers to the addition of note reading into the process. It also may imply the study of harmonic concepts, intonation, ensemble tuning, chordal balance or any pitch related concept that may need to be instructed. When focusing on pitch/note reading, often isolate pitch outside of rhythm.  "One Thing to be understood at a time." Once a basic understanding of melodic contour is established, a quick review of rhythm will occur then a fusion of the two concepts. If the rhythmic foundation is strong enough, students will have the capacity to add pitch without rhythmic alteration. It is important during this process that the students honor rhythm first pitch second. Eventually rhythmic reading will become intuitive and concentration can be directed towards note accuracy.

4.  ARTICULATION: Once rhythm and notes are in place, the addition of articulation will occur. Focus will then be on style of music, articulation markings and execution of those markings. Additional focus will be placed on the attack, decay, sustain and release of individual notes.

5.  SHAPE: Musical shape comes in many forms. The most common form is dynamics; playing loud or soft, crescendos, decrescendos etc. In addition to the volume markings notated by the composer, there are many subtle dynamic changes called micro-dynamics, which are the essence of creating a musical presentation. Micro-dynamics follow many of the laws of nature and compliment many compositional elements.

6.  TIMING: This category was originally placed in this spot as a result of the premise that all practice should occur within a slow tempo at first. One would work their way up the pyramid and then when "TIME" was reached, tempo would increase. When the tempo was increased most individuals would find that they would have to start once again at the bottom of the pyramid and work their way up. TIME is a great time to explore the manipulation of pulse. I.e., stringendo, rubato, ritard, etc. It seemed to be a logical extension of the previous category Shape.

Practice Sequence Pyramid Narrative

1. Have you been successful in integrating all layers of this Practice Session Pyramid?

 I have been pretty successful in the Practice Sequence Pyramid, I am comfortable in the foundation (rhythm and pitch) and am working my way up with articulation, shape, and timing. 

2.  What aspects of this pyramid do you find helpful?

I find this pyramid helpful because it breaks down the process in steps instead of blindly trying to navigate where to start and find out what you're working towards. If your foundations are set it is easy to progress with the rest. 

3.  What aspects of this pyramid do you find to be a challenge?

It can be a little challenging to figure out when you're ready to move on and advance, especially when the outcome is not obvious. For example, it is easy to know if you are playing the right pitch, but harder to know if you are playing the shape/articulation correctly. 

4.  What was the most satisfying aspect of your practice this week?

This week in my lesson with Dave, I started a new piece called Flamenco. This piece is challenging and requires you to have set foundations, be able to read music, and then apply all your technical skills as well. I was very proud when I was able to apply all aspects of the pyramid to learning this new piece. It was really displayed in my ability to cite read the piece well and then play it better with practice. 

5.  Cite 1 music literacy concept from the list below that you implemented from your Unit 1 Tool Box into your technical skill development

I implemented pitch into my skill development. I know how to read notes on a grand staff but I had to refresh myself on the notes on the guitar so I used a resource for that (linked below).

6.  Share 1 resource you used for the above mentioned music literacy concept(website, video, APP, etc.)