Technique Tuesday is a collaboration by Lauren Pierce and Double Bass HQ that explores techniques from Lauren’s best-selling books, Scales, Scales, Scales, Please Play in Tune, and Basstudes.
Practice fast passages with the Jolt Tempo Practice Method
Have you ever hit a wall with a fast passage? You’ve practiced it countless times, tried different fingerings, and worked with a metronome, but you can’t seem to push past a specific tempo. Today, I’d like to share a technique that could be just the breakthrough you need!
What is Jolt Tempo Practice?
This technique is called jolt tempo practicing. It will be helpful for those spots that are fast, where you need to get them faster, and you’ve tried everything but have hit a wall at your current tempo.
The concept is simple but effective: you will deliberately practice at a tempo that’s significantly faster than your current comfortable speed, even if it means making mistakes.
Step 1: Identify Your Current Tempo
First, establish what tempo you can currently play the passage at comfortably.
Step 2: Set Your Jolt Tempo
Take your metronome and set it 10 bpms higher than your comfortable tempo. This becomes your “jolt tempo.”
Step 3: Play Through Despite the Challenge
Now play the passage at this jolt tempo to the best of your ability, all the way through. This is going to be challenging—and that’s exactly the point!
What to Expect
When you attempt your jolt tempo:
- It should be hard – You might feel like you’re struggling
- You’ll make mistakes – This is completely normal and expected
- Keep going – Try to make it all the way through without stopping, even if you make lots of mistakes
The key is to push through the discomfort and maintain forward momentum.
What happens when you return to the previous, slower tempo?
After completing your jolt tempo attempt, go back to your original comfortable tempo. Here’s what you’ll likely experience:
- It feels easier – What once felt uncomfortably fast now feels like you’re moving at a glacial pace
- You have more control – Your fingers will feel more responsive and coordinated
- You can push the tempo further – Your previous tempo barrier often disappears
Why This Works
I’m not entirely sure why this works from a scientific standpoint, but this technique always does the trick for me. It helps you break free from that rut and allows you to push the tempo beyond where you were previously stuck.
The jolt tempo will:
- Recalibrate your internal sense of speed
- Force your muscle memory to adapt quickly
- Break through mental barriers about what’s too fast.
- Create a contrast that makes your target tempo feel manageable
Tips for Success
- Choose your jolt tempo wisely – 10 clicks faster is usually a good starting point
- Don’t worry about perfection – The goal is to survive the faster tempo, not play it perfectly
- Keep moving forward – Even with mistakes, maintain the tempo and complete the passage
- Return to your target tempo immediately – Don’t spend too long at the jolt tempo
When to Use This Technique
Jolt tempo practice is particularly effective when:
- You’ve plateaued at a certain speed
- Traditional slow practice isn’t yielding results
- You need to build confidence at faster tempos
- You’re preparing for performance and need that extra push
Give jolt tempo practice a try the next time you’re stuck at a particular speed. You might be surprised at how this simple technique can help you break through those stubborn tempo barriers.
For more of Lauren’s insights, visit her Technique Tuesday series and sign up for the Double Bass HQ newsletter to have the series delivered to your inbox each week.
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