Getting Invited To The Party
I’ve always been aware that my approach to teaching is different from many of my colleagues in one respect:
I emphasize facility over polish.
My rationale is that facility is something we can’t take for granted while polish is mostly a matter of time and increased sophistication.
In the beginning stages, I give students mostly free-stroke pieces and studies, all designed to get them to start moving their fingers.
The emphasis is on facility and speed, without any regard for tonal quality.
It’s just common sense, there’s not much point demanding good tonal quality if a student can barely move his or her fingers.
It’s like getting an invitation to a party.
If you haven’t been invited to a party, you’re not going to worry about what you’re going to wear.
You’re going to work on getting that invitation first, and then worry about what you’re going to wear later.
It’s the same with playing the guitar
If you haven’t developed good finger facility, don’t worry about the finer details of tone and refinement.
Focus your efforts on developing that speed and facility first and then worry about the finer details later.