LESSON #1:

Increasing Tempo

1/18/2025

I chose to address this idea of speeding up your tempo when learning a song because it is an issue that many people struggle with. The instructional videos I have seen say the same thing over and over again: Learn it slowly, play it correctly, and increase your tempo little by little until you reach the speed that feels most appropriate for the song. In the case of learning music with a chart or manuscript, speed up your tempo until it is well within that of the metronome range at the beginning of the piece. I have something to offer that is an improvement on this simple and obvious technique.

The first step is to become well acquainted with the music; whether you are learning the song by the written page or by ear. The trick of being able to perform a song flawlessly is to practice it flawlessly. This means to play the song perfectly, or near perfectly from the beginning. There are a few tips that can be employed in an effort to accomplish this, but we can address that in another lesson.

Once you can play the song at a slow relaxed tempo, you are ready to begin increasing the speed at which you play it. At this point, I will suggest that you start at the end of the piece when you apply the technique I am about to describe, but you can employ this method at the beginning of the piece, or starting anywhere you wish.

When you are attempting to increase the tempo of a song… You Are Not Speeding Up The Song! In reality, you are simply changing the tempo. I need not repeat that; I simply ask that you read that statement a few times until that fact sinks in.

Since what you are really doing is changing tempo, then what I am about to say next will make sense. It will also be clear WHY I am telling you to practice your tempo in this fashion. Since you are practicing changing your tempo, then playing it slowly will be just as valuable as playing it faster. You can do this while practicing small parts of the song. Begin by playing one phrase of the piece through; perfectly. Play the phrase again at a slightly slower pace to ensure you play it perfectly again. Reduce your speed for the third pass. Now, increase your tempo a bit. Next, reduce your tempo slightly. Repeat the phrase at a slightly quicker tempo. Paying attention to the tension in your muscles, adjust your speed according to your comfort level. Feeling relaxed, speed up a bit. When you feel some tension in your body, shake it out and reduce your tempo. You are now changing tempo. You are already doing what you set out to do. You do not have to play the song at Warp 9 to feel the success! You are teaching your fingers to adjust to tempo changes comfortably without increasing any tension in the body. When you tense your muscles, you shackle them. They are unable to play faster unless they remain relaxed. At comfortable tempos, you can begin immediately to work on the phrasing you desire. You can experiment with volume, gradual or sudden dynamic changes. Differences in staccato or legato become clear. Do not cloud your mind with too many goals or thoughts of execution, but simply observe the results of minute changes you make from one pass to the next. AND… always change your tempo!

You can fix troublesome passages in the piece as you continue practicing from day to day by isolating the part and focusing on perfecting it at a slower pace than the day before. Each and every time you play it, change your tempo. You will be back in control of that passage in record time. When you insert it back into the piece; by beginning a little earlier or continuing on after the “trouble spot”, use the tempo that you felt most in control. Begin changing your tempo after you have successfully repeated a small part of the song, or played the entire piece through to the end. This way, the technique you are using to fix a part will be the same technique you have been using all along to learn the song in the first place. The mere consistency you employ will expedite the process by which you perfect every piece you learn. Subsequently, your ability to play at faster tempos will increase exponentially.

I have been able to take a song to the stage for years with no concern of how fast the drummer or band leader counts off the tempo. Having the flexibility to adapt to any tempo regardless of whether or not I have played it that fast at ANY TIME prior is a testament to the effectiveness of this technique.

I will follow up soon with a story about playing confidently at any tempo. Until then, remember to change the tempo EVERY time you repeatedly practice any part of a song.

*NOTE: During every practice session on your chosen instrument.

Pay attention to the tension in your fingers, arms, shoulders, and neck. If you feel any tension, pause, relax those muscles, and continue your practicing. When you feel relaxed at the end of your practice session, you can rest assured you are making progress toward your goal of playing the song well. If you feel relaxed after working on one small part of a song, you can rest assured that you know that part well and your body is more than comfortable with the process.