Day 1: Choose Your Spot & Set Your Goal

What you’ll accomplish today

By the end of Day 1, you’ll have:

• One small problem spot (1-2 beats up to 1 bar)
• A clear definition of “clean”
• A starting tempo you can already do cleanly
• A quick baseline recording (so you can see your progress)

‍

Step 1: Pick the spot

Choose the smallest moment that actually causes the breakdown, often the transition into or out of:

• a shift
• a slur
• a barre
• a string crossing

Keep the spot so small you can put a box around it in your score. If you’re not sure, choose the moment right before the mistake happens.

‍

Step 2: Define “clean” + choose tempos

Write these down:

1) Your definitely for "clean"
2) Starting tempo (where it be played cleanly today)
3) Target tempo (where you ideally want it by the end of the week)

Here are good “clean” definitions:

• steady rhythm (no rushing)
• no wrong notes
• minimal tension

Not sure what your starting tempo should be? Use 60 bpm as a starting point.

‍

Step 3: Record a baseline take

Record one short video of the spot – just a few seconds. It's totally fine if it's messy. This is your “before” video.

‍

Step 4: Your first win (10 clean reps)

At your starting tempo only, go for 10 clean reps in a row. If you miss on rep 6 or 7, that’s totally fine – just slow the metronome slightly and get the 10.

Begin to notice what may be causing issues with this passage. (We'll identify the issue tomorrow.)

Optional shift tip: if your spot includes a position change, give the shift a little extra time at first. Staying relaxed is more important than forcing tempo right now.

‍

Watch today’s clip (1 minute)

Thomas Viloteau: “Make it a small group + 10 in a row”

‍

Before you go

Make sure you've recorded the following:

My spot is: __________
My “clean” definition is: __________
My starting tempo is: __________
My target tempo is: __________

Tomorrow we’ll figure out why it breaks, so you can stop guessing and start fixing the right thing.

‍