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Bing
Lokahi
USA
100 Posts |
 Posted - 04/25/2004 : 2:24:57 PM
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Do any of you have the same problem that I do ? I have memorized 12 songs in Taropatch and 7 in fwahine and I play them all at least once a day. What bothers me is that some times I seem to be in the zone and I can play great and then other times it just doesn't flow. Some times I play late at night and other times early in the morning or through out the day, but it doesn't matter I either feel good about my playing or it just doesn't feel right.
Is there a way to get your head, Mood, body and hands all on the right track at the same time, so that you can play near your best at any given time ?
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Bing |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2004 : 3:00:30 PM
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| Beer. |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2004 : 5:11:17 PM
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Bing, I run into this - mostly when I play solo. Doesn't seem to be a problem when I am playing with others. I have discovered that there are certain places in my house where my guitar sounds better... but this may be a different issue. There are times in the morning when I am still in my bathrobe… the music just flows. Later in the day, I can still play, but the feel is different. Late in the evening it sounds great again. I doubt that there is a physical explanation. I have noticed the same effect with my stereo. Some times a CD sound good, other times it sounds great. Ok, so what can one do to put oneself in the zone? Craig has one idea that seems to work for country music guys... For myself, I find I have to work at finding things that make me happy. Call up a musician friend, go for a walk, Pet the dog. Whatever makes you feel glad to be alive. Then pick up your guitar...
Aloha,
-Konabob |
Konabob's Walkingbass - http://www.konawalkingbass.com
Taropatch Steel - http://www.konaweb.com/konabob/
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Konabob2+Walkingbass |
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Adam Troy
Akahai
Australia
58 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2004 : 7:16:22 PM
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| Bing, I have the same problem, and I have found that beer works- sometimes. But I have to agree with Konabob. The greatest inspiration come when playing with others(as you probably know). I don't get to do that much, so I consider the mood I'm in often. The best I can do is to keep working on the stuff so that I'm ready when that groove comes round again. Regards, A.T. |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2004 : 7:26:29 PM
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Music is more than a matter of just playing notes -- it comes from very intimate areas of our bodies/minds/spirits. No ones's moods are consistent throughout the day, or even from day to day. Playing of music won't be consistent. We all go through dry spells, we all have days that we just aren't in the groove. We all have days where it clicks and it's wonderful. And then there are those times when we feel crappy, start playing, and as if from nowhere the most incredible things happen.
My advice is to just stay with whatever's there - and keep focused on the music. Trying to change your mood or to force yourself into a "zone" is probably the sure way of screwing it up even more.
One thing I try not to do is go into "rote" -- Playing 19 songs a day is a huge number, unless you're trying to get in shape for a gig. Pick a couple and "savor" them. Try different tempos, ornamentation, switch the picking patterns and the chordig around. "Play" with them.
The other thing that helps me is to keep one or two pieces that are chellenging to me on the music stand. I find most of the time the days when I'm not "in a zone," make excellent days to work on hard passages.
It's like they say in Zen training -- you're not here to get enlightened (be in the zone) but just to sit (play.) |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2004 : 9:25:43 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by RJS
Music is more than a matter of just playing notes -- it comes from very intimate areas of our bodies/minds/spirits.
The music that comes from very intimate areas of my body is something I try not to share with others. (Sorry, I'm in a mood today.) |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2004 : 10:07:03 PM
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| Me, too -- check out my new guitar in "What kind of....." |
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Bwop
Lokahi
USA
244 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2004 : 10:32:08 PM
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Aloha kakou,
E Bing, are you gettin' personal, o wot? The flow and ebb of playing, auwe!
I find playing in different places in the house is great-- take that one song and play it in the shower (no water, yeah?), and you hear something you missed before. Go out on your lanai, and broadcast that sucker to the neighbors (I have very forgiving neighbors).
There is a tide to your playing, your repetoire and your mood.
As far as playing, beyond the acoustics, try changing tunings (!), string gauge or pitch (tune way down, or up). Try using picks (well, don't). Play another guitar. Think about your audience. Start with Aumakua. Then sing to one friend. A parent. Your child. You'll know.
With your repetoire, what has meaning? Let the songs suggest themselves. I always seem to have at least one Dennis Kamakahi song about an old girl friend in my list, as well as place songs and ones I have written.
And, why are you playing at this moment??? Are you grateful? Are you sentimental? Do you like to eat food??? Then play it....
I get so stuck, too, But, I take the long view, and know that my playing will always have meaning (at least for me), and being "stuck" is also a good place to ask yourself "why". You can always threaten yourself with Led's Video to loose your morrings.
E le'ale'a ke kani hau'oli i ke ki ho'alu! |
Bwop |
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huiohana
Lokahi
115 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2004 : 11:12:59 PM
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Aloha Bing,
One way could be to just listen to some Kiho'alu or Hawaiian music, kind of like meditation or to inspire yourself. Sometimes, when I listen to the Master's play, I get the crazy idea that I could play like them. And then there are times, especially after kiho'alu selections, that I just want to play a slow piece from the na'au.
Good luck. A hui hou, Keali'i. |
Edited by - huiohana on 04/25/2004 11:13:31 PM |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2004 : 03:24:37 AM
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| Seriously, start with something real nahenahe and play slower than you usually do. Learn what each song is about (or what it's about for you) and then play it like you're telling a story (or painting a picture, or evoking a mood...whatever works best for you). |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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Bing
Lokahi
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2004 : 2:55:04 PM
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Craig, I tried your beer theory and one didn’t quite do it so I had another and then another and well, you know the rest ot the story.
Actually thank all of you for sharing your advice, now I know I’m not alone. I think I’ll cherish the times when it clicks and maybe take Keola’s method and make my guitar stand in the corner when it doesn’t behave. |
Bing |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2004 : 3:02:40 PM
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| The thing about my beer theory is that after a while you don't care how you're playing. |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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Stacey
Lokahi
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2004 : 6:45:20 PM
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| I agree with Craig that a cold beer helps you (well, me) get in the zone, but I found that Tequilla DOES NOT. I recently was partying at a friends house and they were feeding me margaritas then asked me to play a little... I couldn't play to save my life!!! Tequilla's more like tekillya all your fine motor skills. Stick wit da beer! |
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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2004 : 01:59:18 AM
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Same problem here, thought it was the altitude--but more likely the attitude.
I keep thinkin' that, with a musical background, I should be "Pele on the guitar", after a year and a half of slack and fingerpickin...Must learn patience...
When I go to play slack or fingerstyle for someone, I invariably choke!
My slack key moniker may become
"Mr.10 Thumbs"...
but--we must
"Never give up, Never surrender!"
Fine Motor Skills may be mobetta with some Kona Coffee,
or perhaps some Peet's Garruga Blend.
And repetition.
I asked a friend who worked and recorded with Jackson Browne for 25 years,
"How many takes did you do to make each of those albums?"
His answer, "A Million."
"Ha, Ha, really how many?"
His answer was ALWAYS "a MILLION!"
But there is Hope and Stength in Numbers!
I recently had a class of 20 High-School kids play a GOOD version of "Blackbird"... and probably no-one played it 100 % perfect, but probably 75% were on course 75% of the time...and IT FLOWED...
Ah, the power of Kanikapila.
Now it's time for me to Walk My Talk...
The Man With Ten Thumbs,
Gordo |
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wdf
Ha`aha`a
USA
1153 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2004 : 10:33:44 AM
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It seems to me that playing "in the groove" is achieved in part by chance but mostly by familiarity with the music and the instrument (& tuning) and playing from the heart.
Yes, sometimes we play less clean than other times due to lack of concentration (or..). However, I find that putting the instrument down for a while and doing something else then returning usually restores "the groove".
Admittedly, its more difficult to do this when playing for an audience but that's another topic. |
Dusty |
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