Practice Guidelines for "Spider Crawl Jam"

Practice Video

Remember to practice using a metronome. At any time, you may visit Metronome Online.

A metronome setting of 40 beats per minute (bpm) might be a good starting point.

For "Spider Crawl Jam," consider it a goal (not a requirement) to accurately achieve the tempo in this practice video (66 bpm).

Improve

As you practice, identify and focus on opportunities for improvement. Select below for helpful tips.

Does each note have a clear sound?

If the sound is unclear, be sure your left-hand fingertips are next to the frets. Add a little more left-hand pressure if necessary. If the sound is still unclear, consider using lighter gauge strings (which are easier to press down) on your guitar.

Are the tempo and rhythm even and consistent?

Practice using your left hand alone (without playing the strings with your right hand). Practice until you can place your left-hand fingers in rhythm. Practice with and without the metronome. Focus on your left-hand fingers and form. Select icon to view this example video.

Is the song complete?

Focus on problem areas when practicing, but also spend time practicing as if you were performing. Set a goal in each of your practice sessions to play "Spider Crawl Jam" a set number of times (perhaps three) without stopping to correct mistakes.

Are you experiencing physical discomfort or pain while practicing?

Depending on the type of guitar or strings you are using, some discomfort in the left-hand fingertips can be normal (particularly for beginning guitar players). If you experience pain or discomfort in any other area (such as your wrists, arms, shoulders, back, or legs), you should stop practicing.

Check to be sure that you are sitting up straight, holding the guitar correctly, and using correct form.

Contact your instructor if you are unable to correct the problem.

Build Your Skills

Left-Hand Pressure: Try practicing "Spider Crawl Jam" without using any left-hand pressure. Each of your fingertips will just barely touch the string; your right arm should be very relaxed from the shoulder to the fingertip. As you add left-hand pressure, keep the overall relaxed look and feeling in your left hand and arm. Select icon to view this example video.

Right-Hand and Left-Hand Synchronization: When you first learned to play "Spider Crawl Jam," you placed each left-hand finger and then played the string afterward. Your ultimate goal should be to synchronize your left and right hands so that they are playing at the exact same time. Strive to make it appear as though your left hand is causing the sound. Select icon to view this example video.

Playing on Other Strings: Practicing "Spider Crawl Jam" on each of the six strings can help you to refine your positioning of the guitar neck. When playing on the bass strings (or lower pitched strings), you should use your arm to “deliver” the fingertips to the string (as opposed to reaching for the strings). Select icon to view this example video.

Practice Daily

Set aside time to practice. Begin by allocating 30 minutes per day for focused practice. Try to maintain a regular practice schedule.

Complete an entry in your practice journal each time you practice. (Practice Journal template)

Reserve some of your practice time to review and practice other music you have learned. Print the score from "Spanish Song." (Download Acrobat)