Recent content by Fifield

Yeah, but if the guy is straining or can't sing it in that key, you can't do the song at all

Either change the key, or don't do the song. End of story. Singing hours at a time, you absolutely need to look after your voice, if you're straining then you're going to get nodules eventually. Technically, if your voice feels sore after singing, you're doing it wrong. It's likely that the...

Forget music theory, study cartography.

I understand where you're coming from with this advice but too often people use this approach as their only source of improv practice when getting a grip on a new progression. I'm not saying that's what you are saying, just putting in a word of caution. In my experience, just putting on a loop...

Totally agree.

If you go the grip master route take the warnings seriously and don't overdo it. Time your use of it, and take into account the time that you're playing or using your hands, like doing diy or whatever. It's way too easy to give yourself an injury.

Apparently not :) For the record, I think apps are great when you're on the move but nothing beats transcribing a progression yourself. Something else I do. I have tonnes of aebersold real book backing tracks of standards etc. with just clear piano chords and bass parts. I pick a random track...

I'm using the android app of pitchimprover.com at the moment, would like to know if anyone has anything better as well.

Invalid Link Removed is a good place to start, but nowhere near definitive. Something you know well is better than any of the usual tunes you see listed. Few extra to note: P4 ascending - auld lang syne m6 ascending - 3rd and fourth note to 'the entertainer' P4 Descending - A Team theme

Just digging this back up as I don't see a mention of 'time guru', which I think is available for both iOs and Android. It's a metronome that either randomly misses beats or you can program it to not click every 4 bars, for example. Handy to test your internal metronome. I like 'Chord!' as I...

Rest up. Don't do anything that might aggravate it, which could be everything. Ice it. See a doctor. Cancel your rehearsals. If you get itchy for practicing there's loads you can do without touching an instrument. Get some ear training apps. If you hear a note, can you sing a fourth up? A...

I live in an old, cold house and it makes winter practice pretty annoying. Cold fingers are frustrating. Fingerless gloves are great but I find them a bit awkward. try also - soaking hands and wrists in warm water and then drying before practice - jumpers and t-shirts with long sleeves -...