So far, on the topic of how to accumulate knowledge, we have covered an important step: applying a method for learning. We have seen that, although the process is honorable, it needs to be accompanied by reviews, lots an lots of reviews.
This time, as we move on, we are going to talk about repetition. This concept is essential for printing into our DNA any information. If you know something, repeat it to the point you’re sick of it. Chances are, you’ll retain it.
We might think that repetition is a simple notion. You do something, then you do it again and again. Rinse and repeat, so to speak. But not quite. Let’s dive in, shall we?
One repetition by itself will not give you much. Ten of them could begin to produce a result. Hundred will surely make any material yours. But who’s got time for such a big number? So, maybe we can spice up the repetition and make it more efficient.
I’ll propose a few different ways to approach it.
We could start by repeating an exercise slow, very slow, painfully slow. Painfully because as you go to lower speed your mind is forced to think about what the body is doing. Nothing is automatic anymore. There is another side effect of slowness: you lose your grip on the melody. Suddenly, you end up with bits and pieces separated from each other instead of a flowing piece of music. You then have to reconstruct the song in your mind while analyzing it. At that moment, you are learning, for sure, but what a feat! You’re sweating trying to keep it together while crawling through the page.
Another way to juice up the repetition is by applying different rhythms to certain passages. That works great with successions of eighth notes or sixteenth notes for example. Those runs all of the a sudden change shape and sound almost foreign when you give them a shuffle feel, for instance. Once again, you are forced to pay attention to what you’re doing. You cannot be on automatic pilot. I use that method quite a bit with great results.
There are probably dozens of ways to make the repetition interesting. You can vary the dynamics, the energy, the style, the accompaniment. The possibilities are almost endless.
Here is the truth: I apply what I preach. Once I know a piece, I keep playing it. I spend an hour a day on it, rehashing some difficult bits, slowing down certain passages, thinking about different approaches and eventually, I end up with a whole repertoire of songs and concepts I can play by memory. This is one of the ways I built up knowledge.
