Brian Slaymaker Archives - Mason Community Arts Academy

Practice techniques are important strategies to have in your musical “toolbox” when you come across a challenging spot while practicing. Generally, these strategies can help to narrow your focus on a specific issue or give your brain a little extra time to think about what exactly needs to happen for successful execution.

Here are four strategies to try:

If you’ve come across a section that is giving you trouble, it’s best to avoid starting an entire phrase over and hoping for the best. Identify the spot that is giving you the most trouble and use a practice technique to break it down into small, manageable bits. You’ll find that practice is a lot more efficient this way!
Adding a rest between a shift, chord change, or a string crossing gives you time to form the shape you need without being rushed. I like to start with a half rest, then go to a quarter rest.
When you’re trying to reach a tempo that is too fast to handle right now practice the piece at a much slower tempo that you can achieve 100% accuracy. After you’ve become more comfortable with the slower tempo increase by 4-8 BPMs. Continue the process of adding speed in small increments as you master each tempo. There should be no hurry to play fast, and sloppy. You will play much better fast, by building your speed slowly.
It is effective to practice using one hand at a time with just about every stringed instrument including the piano. For violin and guitar strumming, picking, or bowing the rhythm without your fretting hand focuses directly on the rhythm, and the up or down bows/strums.

Written by Brian Slaymaker and Amanda Goodwin
Edited by Regina Schneider

Introducing our Academy Guitar Area Coordinator, Brian Slaymaker! The Area Coordinators provide a central connection for Academy faculty and staff with all private lesson studios at the Academy. They are experienced teachers and music professionals who serve as a resource, colleague, and leader within their instrumental area. We asked Brian his thoughts on becoming a Guitar Area Coordinator.

I have begun my eighth-year teaching here at Mason Community Arts Academy. It has been an honor to accept the Guitar Area Coordinator Position. My goal is to bridge a connection between our guitar teachers to evolve our program. Sharing our philosophies can help to stimulate creativity in our own studios.
Brian Slaymaker

1) What is your earliest music memory?

I remember my Mom playing the Star Wars theme for me on the piano. I would ask to play it over and over.

2) What do you like most about playing your instrument?

I like the versatility of the guitar. It’s like having a one man band, or an orchestra within my guitar because it’s a polyphonic instrument. I can play the melody, or two melodies, or three, while playing a bass line, and some harmony too, all at the same time.

3) What is one of your hobbies or interests outside of music?

I have many hobbies. Too many hobbies. Cycling, swimming, flying drones, cooking, DJing.

4) What has been a highlight of teaching at the Academy?

Student recitals are always a highlight. When you see your students performing at the end of the semester that is when you receive the fruits of all your labor.

5) How do you prepare yourself to have a productive practice session?

I have 5 different practice modes. 1. Technique scales, arpeggios, exercises. 2. Learning new repertoire. 3. Reviewing old repertoire. 4. Sight reading. 5. Improvisation, or just playing, total freedom.

I choose which practice mode to use depending on my priority. It usually has to do with the next couple of performances.

Most of my practice is working on what is the weakest.