Now that I have my Railboard in MR to go along with the rosewood in BM, I'm working on learning two new pieces.

What I'm trying is learning and memorizing the melody or bass part of a piece I'm learning on the piano first. Then each day before I begin practicing on the Stick, I sit at the piano and run through the melody and/or bass line a couple of times.

What I think this is doing is helping me be aware of the notes I'm playing, as they're so easy to identify on a keyboard. I'm also learning an alternate, and (hopefully) reinforcing pattern to the notes. So far, I'm not sure if this is helping me learn these pieces, but I am finding that my "situational awareness" on the Stick seems improved. I'm more aware of which notes I'm playing.

I am really bad at reading music. I mean REALLY bad!! I've tried everything. I've keyed in dozens of pieces of sheet music into MuseScore, I've done the flashcard thing. I take every piece I'm trying to learn and write the note names above each note. Despite all this, I still have to stare at a note for a few seconds (treble or bass clef - doesn't make any difference) before I can "decode" the note. Maybe I'm dyslexic when it comes to music, but I do think I'm (very, very slowly) getting better. One of the major limitations I had as a guitarist/bassist was I only understood "shapes." I do see those "shapes" in terms of scale degrees (and obviously do so on the Stick) which in many cases is more than sufficient musically, but reading music - sight-reading in particular - is really important to one's growth as a musician. When playing guitar I was aware at most times what scale degrees I was playing, but had no idea whatsoever what notes I was playing.

As I continue doing this I'll come back and report on whether I think this has been helpful.

Stickuational awareness!

I am not much of a reader, but I have found that I am relentless in adding notes to my scores which has improved my Stickuational Awareness.

I used to think that doing that was "cheating" or a "crutch", but to be honest, I think it's the thing that is actually helping my sight-reading!

Don’t forget to have fun.

Hey Steve.

Interesting thoughts… If the mind is like a cache, perhaps it’s just that we have to empty the cache every now and then so we can learn things differently.
Trying to channel Emmett here.. #_#

That is a great thought Rad, just like a browser! It makes sense that our brains can only handle so much at one time, so it makes perfect sense to clear it.