Two handed independance question

[jackbauer114]

Although this question is being asked because i am practicing touchstyle guitar, pianists and keyboardists can likely answer. I want to be able to play bass arpeggio or some other ostinatio while improvising interesting melodies over it. When i try this now, if im playing say 8th notes in the left (accompaniment) hand, i cant go above 8th notes in the right hand, or else my left hand stops. Also i cant get the right hand phrasing different from the accompaniment.

How can i get independance of both hands?

[brakkum]

Practice. That's honestly all you can do. Start with one hand, add the other. Spend time on it.

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

^  What he said.  It sounds so cliched and irritating, but it is so very true.  I know "Practice!!" was the last thing I wanted to hear when I was learning, but in hndsight, I wish I'd practiced more.

Like any other technique, practice it ridiculously slow, with a metronome.  Slow enough that your brain has the time to comprehend coordinating both hands the way you want them.  Once you get that down slow, gradually increase the speed a few notches, to where any faster and it'll get away from you.  Master it.  Increase.  Repeat until you're where you want to be.

[The Letter M]

As a drummer I know the importance independence of limbs. The best you can do is practice and start slow, and with a metronome if you have one.

-Marc.

[In The Name Of Rudess]

Practice, as stated before. For piano and keyboard, playing Bach greatly improved the independence between my hands. His Inventions and Sinfonias are especially helpful for this purpose.

[black_biff_stadler]

As a drummer I know the importance independence of limbs. The best you can do is practice and start slow, and with a metronome if you have one.

-Marc.

https://webmetronome.com/