The Average Piper – Vitamins GD&E

Simply stated, there’s nothing else like it. Nothing even comes close. A regimen of properly executed GDE exercises is like steel-cut oatmeal with nuts and berries for breakfast. If you master GDE’s, played evenly and with a dot/cut rhythm, you have built a critical foundation that will serve you well.

I generally start my students playing GDE’s within 6/8 time-signature. Eighth notes are coupled and played in repetition as in the example above. Of course, I use a metronome and I’ll generally start at a reasonable tempo of 120-140 beats-per-minute. Each eighth note is played precisely on a click. Goal #1 is to maintain correct technique over several repetitions. Goal #2 is to place each note precisely on a click. Goal #3 is to increase the tempo to the point where your technique is starting to break down.

When you hit that point where your technique is breaking down, decrease the tempo just a tad. Continue playing repetitions with proper technique and timing.

The top tempo for my metronome is 252 beats per minute. At that point I have to switch to one-beat for each coupling, with the first note “G” landing on the click. This is around 84 beats per minute and the goal is to maintain equal value for each note with only the one point of reference. Record yourself to make certain that note placement and values are precise. Gradually work to increase the tempo, but never to the detriment of technique or timing.

We will talk more of this tomorrow.