| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Sarah
`Olu`olu
571 Posts |
 Posted - 05/31/2002 : 2:05:36 PM
|
Aloha e Don,
Thank you for putting so succinctly what I have been thinking, but in great circles of excess words and explanations. I never posted it because I couldn't say it short and sweet.
It seemed to me the "wall" meant you need to ask yourself some questions... re-evaluate what you are up to, and get back to basics. There is always something you can learn or make better, and you just need to see it.
Mahalo for your words of wisdom.
Aloha no,
Sarah
|
 |
|
|
jcfergus
Aloha
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2002 : 3:46:40 PM
|
Aloha,
I recently joined the forum, was just browsing the topics and wondered what the "wall" was. Reading through the thread, it resonated deeping with what I have been experiencing recently, even to the limited repertoire and an apparent inability to improve. I have been playing slack key for about 18 months.
I, too, started with the "play the song" approach. I spent many hours in my younger years as a percussionist and pianist practicing exercises. I wanted more immediate gratification and figured I would learn the dexterity and technique through the song. I am not sure you can achieve a high level of *key word* technical competence without the exercises.
When I started, I found that I improved steadily, sometimes noticeably between playing sessions, although it often took a retrospective look to realize it. But recently, it seems like the fingers just don't quite do what I think I am telling them to do. I suspect that now that I know the songs and am trying to refine my technique, that it requires practicing very differently. I haven't quite figured out what will fix it, but for now, I am focusing on new songs. That puts me back into the more "primitive" learning mode; learn the melody, the notes, the fingerings. I find I am not nearly so critical of my playing when I begin to learn a song. This tends to make it more enjoyable, even though someone that knew the style probably wouldn't enjoy it at all.
Interestingly and importantly, my wife seems to enjoy what I do, irrespective of what I think of it. This should probably be a clue to my own expectations. Our expectations of ourselves is usually much higher than others. And as you learn the techniques of a musical style, you become much more critical of it. So any pressure that you feel is completely self-induced. I am trying to manage this by readjusting my expectations of what I do.
Another factor is I think that although I seem to continue to stumble on passages that I have previously played well (or so I thought), if I analyze my playing through the use of tape recorder, I find that there are a myriad of small elements that continue to improve; transitions on the fretboard, smoothness, intonation, continuity, the ability to play when someone is talking to me, etc.
I saw Doug and Sandy McMaster play in Kauai last year. I talked to Doug afterwards about how he prepared to perform. His reponse stunned me, as he is a lifelong guitar player. He told me that he worked on a song for as much as year before performing it publicy. And that he had to be able to carry on a conversation without missing a beat in the song. That really helped me understand just where improvements can come from to allow me to play better.
It looks like it is a good thing jwn set the stage for long rambles. 
So even though I feel I have hit the wall, I am refocusing my efforts in other areas to try to continue improving. I play new songs, look at old ones differently, play different instruments, and so on.
I appreciate all of the great comments from everyone. It is very good to know I am not the only one experiencing these things.
Jim
|
|
|
|
Pauline Leland
`Olu`olu
USA
783 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2002 : 9:31:04 PM
|
Jim,
quote:
I saw Doug and Sandy McMaster play in Kauai last year. I talked to Doug afterwards about how he prepared to perform. His reponse stunned me, as he is a lifelong guitar player. He told me that he worked on a song for as much as year before performing it publicy. And that he had to be able to carry on a conversation without missing a beat in the song. That really helped me understand just where improvements can come from to allow me to play better.
I am stunned, too! A year. I'll stop beating up on myself, then. Maybe. Well, I'll try to keep it in mind.
I'm willing to aim lower and miss my place during a conversation. How long does it take him to achieve that level, I wonder.
Pauline |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
