Items That Make Practice More Productive

Hello!
It’s Kaoru the composer here!

If you’re involved in music, you’ve probably thought at least once about “efficient practice methods.”

When you’re a beginner, it’s easy to feel rapid growth, but after two or three years, there can be periods where you don’t feel any progress—that is, you feel like you’ve “hit a wall.”
Continuing consistently is important for anything…but it’s natural to get bored sometimes, after all, we’re human.

At times like that, there are items that make practice more productive that I would like to introduce this time!
Using different items than usual can lift your spirits, so it’s great to change things up!

I’ll be selecting products carefully from those available at Sound House!

PLANET WAVES / PW-VG-01 Vari Grip

This item, recommended for guitarists and bassists, is a hand training tool that allows you to strengthen each finger individually.
Pressing chords actually requires quite a bit of strength.
For example, barre chords like an “F” chord can be especially challenging.

By turning the ring-like part in the center of the device, you can adjust the spring to change the resistance.

Additionally, parts that simulate strings help toughen the skin on your fingertips, making it possible to train so that playing guitar doesn’t hurt.
It’s compact enough to fit neatly in your pocket, so you can carry it anywhere.
*Be careful, as it can put a lot of strain on your fingers.

At around 1,500 yen, it’s a good idea to have one on hand!

FINGERWEIGHTS / M05B 5 Set

This is another item recommended for guitarists, bassists, and pianists.
It’s like a small weight that you wear on your fingers.

Simply wearing it during your usual practice allows you to efficiently build the finger strength needed for playing.
It’s free-size, so it can be used by anyone regardless of gender.

The removable weights have three levels of resistance, allowing you to gradually increase the load without straining your tendons.

The product includes:

• Main unit × 5
• 10g weights × 15
• A convenient carrying pouch
• Instruction manual

The price is around 5,000 yen!
It can be used for a long time, so it’s definitely worth trying!!

NAKANO / S170G

This is a stamp that allows you to write chord charts very easily and neatly.
When writing sheet music by hand, it takes a long time and tends to get messy!

On the other hand, carefully drawing lines with a ruler is also tedious!

This stamp is very convenient in such situations!

It’s especially useful when sharing songs with band members.

There’s also a TAB notation version available!

NAKANO / S180TAB

Let’s use them according to their intended purpose!!

Katori Seisakusho / Silent Pick N-2000

For those who want to practice at night without disturbing anyone… but still want to practice!
This pick is recommended for this exact situation.

As you can see at a glance, it has a shape similar to a normal pick, but with a hole in the center— it’s quite an unusual design.
Using this pick reduces the acoustic guitar’s sound by about half.

According to the official instructions:

"This product is for strumming play only (*Because it uses soft material, it is difficult to play arpeggios or solos, so please enjoy it for strumming play)."

Please note that there are restrictions on how it can be used!

MUSICWORKS / HYD-KEEPER

A silicone cover that fits into the soundhole of an acoustic guitar to mute it.

It has a simple appearance but is actually very multifunctional!

• Muting function to reduce volume
• Deodorizing function to prevent unique odors inside the body
• Function to maintain appropriate humidity inside the delicate guitar body

Very gentle on acoustic guitars.

Please check the following requirements before purchasing:

Compatible soundhole diameter: φ98–less than 105 mm
Compatible top plate thickness: less than 3.5 mm

PROIDEA / UTAET Karaoke Practice Goods

An item that covers the mouth to suppress the singing voice.
With the POWERbreathe, you don’t need to go to a soundproof studio—you can sing freely at home.

It is designed so that you can train your voice more effectively while listening to the raw singing sound, with bone conduction through the bones cut.
The muting performance is said to reduce the sound to about one-third.

Since it contains no electronic components, it can be washed with water and used hygienically.
This mouth piece can be used for voice training, exercise, stress relief, and various other purposes.

POWERbreathe / Plus Wellness (Standard Resistance) BCPB2001

A compact item that strengthens the abdominal muscles, lung muscles, and diaphragm.
Recommended not only for vocalists and wind instrument players but also for athletes engaged in marathon running, cycling, and similar sports.

30 breaths twice a day are enough, making it easy to fit into spare moments.

With proper breathing, you can:

• Breathe deeper and faster
• Improve breath control
• Make breathing between phrases easier
• Potentially strengthen the laryngeal muscles with training
• Warm up the breathing muscles before a performance to reduce tension
• Reduce shortness of breath during musical performance

All in all, it offers many benefits.

That concludes my introduction to “Items That Make Practice More Effective.”
Be sure to give them a try!!

*Prices are as of October 2021.

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