Practising the Guitar in the…Dark

Be Left In The Dark

by guitar instructor: Dave Nagy

Some people think it’s strange, some people even think it’s creepy, but I like to play classical guitar in the dark. Why, you may ask? There are many reasons, but three stand out from the others.
First of all, you get to know your instrument better. There is a limit to how far you can progress musically while still being dependent upon visual cues from your instrument. Experienced musicians know their instrument by feel and sound, and many find it a hindrance to constantly watch where their fingers and hands are. While many advancing students may feel more secure in their playing by checking and re-checking their hand positioning, most of them play almost as well when asked during a lesson specifically to avoid looking. Of course there are times ( i.e. a large position jump) when it would certainly be prudent to take a quick glance, but most of the time this is not the case. Practicing the skill of playing without looking will build confidence in one’s ability with, and knowledge of, their instrument.
Second, one of the well known properties of the human senses is the tendency for one sense to compensate for another which is inactive or turned off. Playing in the dark will allow you to focus your ears on the nuances of the sounds coming out of your instrument. You may discover subtleties in tone or dynamics within your playing abilities that you were previously unaware of.
Third, playing in the dark will help you to detach from your environmental surroundings. If you can’t see your practice room, it’s not really there anymore. All that is left is you, your instrument, and the music created by combining the two. The darkness can help you relax, become entranced by music, and slip off into a dreamy practice session that is both productive and enjoyable. Relaxation will really help you get into ‘the zone’.
A final word: Playing in the dark is a great way to progress on your instrument. However, you can only play pieces or exercises that are memorized or improvised. So, if you are practicing your sight-reading or learning a new piece from the score, make sure you bring a nite-lite!

Whether it is classical, acoustic or electric guitar, Elite Music Academy offers private music lessons for all ages and musical styles. For a free consultation please contact us at 416 406 5355 ext 1