When I take on a new student, I’m often dealing with misconceptions and baked-in issues. Most of the issues can be traced back to simply playing too quickly. GDE’s and transitions may be sloppy with crossing noises. Some notes may disappear altogether. Embellishments and timing are executed inaccurately, all in order to play at a particular tempo.

“Tempo” does not make up for poor technique or poor timing. Quite the opposite is true. I would rather hear a tune played slowly with solid technique and timing than a mash-up of “whatever”. I have students around the globe ranging from teens up to 75 years young. All my students are playing four-parted 6/8 marches and jigs. OK. You think I’m crazy! Maybe I am.

6/8 marches are like Wheaties with nuts and fruit for breakfast! Nothing builds strong technique and that dot/cut swing like a 6/8 march. Why four parts rather than two? They’re more substantial and generally include a challenging 3rd part that is bottom-hand dominant. I love it!

Next is the 6/8 jig. It really doesn’t matter so much about two or four parts. I teach these with six clicks per measure. In other words, every eighth note lands on a click. This teaches discipline in timing. The contest is between the piper and the metronome…and the metronome never lies.

I have been known to start students out in the low 50’s (BPM) for a 6/8 march and 100 BPM for jigs, eighth notes on each click. As good timing and technique get baked-in we are able to gradually increase the tempo. There is no magic number that we’re shooting for. Every student has a personal capacity and my job is to help them reach their potential. That’s all. As a wise man once told me, hurry along slowly!