Throughout the years, professional guitarists have used different techniques and methods to hone their talents, perfecting the pieces of music they perform. We have listed many of these gems of wisdom below. Feel free to modify the steps to suit your unique needs.
-Study the score thoroughly after the initial sightreading.
-Listen to artists whose work you admire.
-Listen to music written for other instruments and voice, applying its principles to the guitar.
-Read about the historical and cultural background of the music and its composer.
-Analyze the music from a structural perspective.
-Scrutinize the texture and phrasing.
-Study each voice/line in multi-voice textures.
-Peruse the rhythmic structure of the music, counting difficult sections out loud so that you engage both the hearing and the visual senses.
-Study the harmonic structure, reviewing music theory to gain further insight.
-Explore fingerings that are both natural and efficient, resulting in ease of movement.
-Play through the music slowly, using the metronome to help with timing issues.
-Identify rough spots, polishing them and purifying the sound.
-Perform at the prescribed tempo with and without the aid of a metronome.
-Memorize the music, one section at a time, as well as the overall structure of the piece.
-Perform mental run-throughs of each section as well as the entire piece.
-Get feedback from your instructor, as well as fellow musicians whose ability you respect.
-Refine your interpretation, experimenting with the tone colors and dynamics that express your own concept of the music.