This is something anyone can do — right now, today.
If you’re an absolute beginner, play the open D string (D0).
If you’re more advanced, ask yourself, “Which note do I secretly avoid?”
If you’re unsure then try E3, D4, AL1 or GH3.
Start by playing simple quarter notes until it starts to sound good.
Use a drone to make it more fun.
D Drone
Breathe calmly, allowing your body to relax.
As your body relaxes, that note will sound better.
As it sounds better, you’ll more naturally relax the body.
You enter a virtuous cycle in which you start to feel a sense of mastery when you play.
Expand out from there
Do things that are a little bit more challenging and try to maintain that good sound.
Play an interval with that note.
- D0-1
- EL2-3
- D3-4
- AL1-L2
- G2-H3
Eventually move on to practicing something more challenging: a scale, exercise or tune.
If you hit a wall and feel frustrated…
…then pause and return to this feeling of mastery on one note.
Then return to that challenging tune.
How does it feel now?
Do you approach it differently?
You drop your hands anywhere on the piano, or anywhere on the drums, or play any note on any instrument; and before the mind has a chance to evaluate it, you say to yourself, ‘That is the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.’ —Kenny Werner, Effortless Mastery
Over the next week, try the Single-note Mastery strategy.
Leave a comment to let me know how it goes…
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Further learning
Six Ways To Overcome Fiddle Frustration