Getting student to slow down
Found in: Musicality, Pedaling, Technique
Heidi M., Canada
Any suggestions how to get a 7-year-old to sloooooow down in his playing? Initially he was slow because of weak and small hands and lack of motor skills, but now his hands are stronger and he has also listened to a lot of fast rock music lately and he told me that always makes him want to go fast. Unfortunately this drive to play quickly is working against him as he makes more mistakes then, and it sounds sloppy. It is hard for him to feel the pleasure of slow even playing, though he could do so a few months ago. He is also feeling sad and discouraged but has a hard time connecting the dots about how his hyper fast playing is not helping him.
It’s a private lesson so I cannot have a group competition on who can play “slowest turtle” etc. I could certainly ask him to outdo me in playing as slowly as possible. Also after his last lesson I thought of taking a video of how he plays so he can see/hear for himself. Do any of you have other suggestions?
Joanne D., Australia
Can you use the audio during the lessons and get him to “play with the band”? You could also play along with him doing accompaniment so he has to stay in time with you. Elizabeth Gaikwad has written a great duets book, or you could play arrangements like Family Dreams while he plays the melody.
Heidi M., Canada
I do sing with him when he plays (if there are lyrics) and that helps, but for the songs with no lyrics like Alma Mater Blues I cannot sing. I’ll check into the duets book and also ask him to write his own lyrics so I can sing his lyrics to the songs (slowwwwly).
Becc S., Australia
I was going to suggest the duets book. I’ve encouraged kids to play at the correct tempo so we can play together. It always fixes their rhythm.
Maybe have the original song at the correct tempo, and then a variation as fast as possible. I do this for Sleeping. With a variation, I move it to Night Storm position and get them to add notes and play as fast as they can and have named it ‘Battle’. They love it.
Leeanne I., Australia
I have found most of my students want to play like speed demons as soon as they have discovered they can play! I just keep telling them to slow down. Also, make sure the parents are getting them to slow down when practicing at home.
Elizabeth G., Australia
I usually play along with my students right from the first lessons. It’s a great way to help them with rhythm. I usually start with an introduction, which helps to set the mood and tempo of the piece. If I have a student where there are tempo fluctuations, I have fun with it and start speaking to them the way they are playing, really fast and then really slow. They usually get the point. Ask them to speak back to you fast and slow. We end up laughing a lot!