Any instrument or former instrument players or even crafty people here, what is something you did in your practise that lead to significant improvements?
For gigs. Practice how you play. Sure I can practise the act of making the right notes by sitting in front of my computer. But there’s more involved in a gig and I learnt it’s worth practising it all (as much as feasible). Stand up, guitar into pedals into amp, mic on mic stand (plugged into some speakers if possible). On stage it’s easy to forget shit like this-pedal on/off now or shit I’m s’posed to be at the mic right now. And then just general stage presence. Open mics also great practise grounds.
Are there any exercises to practice to improve individual skills in isolation?
Like a particular ‘song’ made to get you used to a tricky chord and ingrain it in muscle memory? Fundamentals?
Edit:
Disclaimer: I was too lazy to get into music lessons and trying to do art practice is like trying to get a greased up eight legged dog into a bathtub. But something like this might point you in the right direction? https://theonlinemusicteacher.com/practice
Like maybe identify what the specific sticking points are (Strength or control of hands? A particular finger movement or placement? Perfectionism? Struggling with inattention? Anxiety or mental block? Hate the available songs?) and see if there’s any fundamentals or ways to get through it.
Doing 5 low pressure minutes a day like video game dailies might help.
Another important thing to be aware of is when it’s due to not having the time, energy or right headspace, and when not to push yourself.
If you force yourself through despite depression, illness, or overwhelming stress levels you have a very good chance of starting to hate the hobby and yourself.
Edit 2: Oh yeah and if you have ADHD you may have to understand and forgive yourself if you struggle with inconsistency.
Thanks melba! I don’t believe lazy is entirely a thing. You can either be disinterested, or want to do it, but have various barriers in the way.
I absolutely struggle with inconsistency at the moment and am trying to rectify that. My problem is that I don’t push myself because I tell myself that it’s going to be too hard when I do need a nudge.
I was called ‘talented’ but never actually really began.
spoiler
To be honest I hated the kiddie songs for beginners and was being placed under unreasonable expectations by adults who either wanted to live their failed dreams through me or have a show pony that did tricks. The pressure killed my desire and the boring fundamentals work did the rest.
Also I had way too much else on my plate like survival.
The same things were true with art as a kid, and are true now with the ukulele. No idea where it is.
But I was and am very tired and distractable so it’s just easier and less revealing to call it lazy. It’s entirely possible there’s undiagnosed ADHD for me as well.
Ironically video game dailies/rep grinds (and physio) are the only way I really learned to have any sort of consistency. I also have the ‘procrastinate because it will be too hard’ brain and what helps is to just do the absolute least. Pick a stupidly simple task and do it once a day or even once a week if you have to.
This is also how I built the flossing habit. Bought floss picks and put them where I spent the most time. Flossed one handed while scrolling or gaming.
You need to break it down into small steps that don’t release stress chemicals or require you to go massively out of your way otherwise it becomes aversive.
Also you have to think about why you want to do it. As that’s a bigger or more consistent motivation than anything external which (can also be extremely important and was the reason I started trying to do art again but) can be less reliably available. Is it something you still want to explore or are you just pushing yourself to meet expectations?
Any instrument or former instrument players or even crafty people here, what is something you did in your practise that lead to significant improvements?
Slow down if you’re making mistakes
Use a metronome
Record yourself so you know how you sound
Music theory is not the enemy
But above all of that, have fun!!!
Thanks! Love the last point especially :)
For gigs. Practice how you play. Sure I can practise the act of making the right notes by sitting in front of my computer. But there’s more involved in a gig and I learnt it’s worth practising it all (as much as feasible). Stand up, guitar into pedals into amp, mic on mic stand (plugged into some speakers if possible). On stage it’s easy to forget shit like this-pedal on/off now or shit I’m s’posed to be at the mic right now. And then just general stage presence. Open mics also great practise grounds.
Yeah I should practise standing up! Thanks for the tips :)
Listening to a recording of myself. Quietened my loud breathing down after that! ( it was a wind instrument but I sounded like I was gasping!)
Ooh yes that’s a great one! Thanks!
Are there any exercises to practice to improve individual skills in isolation?
Like a particular ‘song’ made to get you used to a tricky chord and ingrain it in muscle memory? Fundamentals?
Edit:
Disclaimer: I was too lazy to get into music lessons and trying to do art practice is like trying to get a greased up eight legged dog into a bathtub. But something like this might point you in the right direction? https://theonlinemusicteacher.com/practice
Like maybe identify what the specific sticking points are (Strength or control of hands? A particular finger movement or placement? Perfectionism? Struggling with inattention? Anxiety or mental block? Hate the available songs?) and see if there’s any fundamentals or ways to get through it.
Doing 5 low pressure minutes a day like video game dailies might help.
Another important thing to be aware of is when it’s due to not having the time, energy or right headspace, and when not to push yourself.
If you force yourself through despite depression, illness, or overwhelming stress levels you have a very good chance of starting to hate the hobby and yourself.
Edit 2: Oh yeah and if you have ADHD you may have to understand and forgive yourself if you struggle with inconsistency.
Thanks melba! I don’t believe lazy is entirely a thing. You can either be disinterested, or want to do it, but have various barriers in the way.
I absolutely struggle with inconsistency at the moment and am trying to rectify that. My problem is that I don’t push myself because I tell myself that it’s going to be too hard when I do need a nudge.
I was called ‘talented’ but never actually really began.
spoiler
To be honest I hated the kiddie songs for beginners and was being placed under unreasonable expectations by adults who either wanted to live their failed dreams through me or have a show pony that did tricks. The pressure killed my desire and the boring fundamentals work did the rest.
Also I had way too much else on my plate like survival.
The same things were true with art as a kid, and are true now with the ukulele. No idea where it is.
But I was and am very tired and distractable so it’s just easier and less revealing to call it lazy. It’s entirely possible there’s undiagnosed ADHD for me as well.
Ironically video game dailies/rep grinds (and physio) are the only way I really learned to have any sort of consistency. I also have the ‘procrastinate because it will be too hard’ brain and what helps is to just do the absolute least. Pick a stupidly simple task and do it once a day or even once a week if you have to.
This is also how I built the flossing habit. Bought floss picks and put them where I spent the most time. Flossed one handed while scrolling or gaming.
You need to break it down into small steps that don’t release stress chemicals or require you to go massively out of your way otherwise it becomes aversive.
Also you have to think about why you want to do it. As that’s a bigger or more consistent motivation than anything external which (can also be extremely important and was the reason I started trying to do art again but) can be less reliably available. Is it something you still want to explore or are you just pushing yourself to meet expectations?
Thanks melba! I love the video game dailies method!
Tell me about the kiddie songs for beginners! Especially on piano. It’s always worth playing music you like.
Good on you for having a flossing habit.
I think I still want to play music and just do things in general, it’s just that lately I’ve been really sleep deprived and everything feels too hard.
Yeah, it was piano for me also.
I’m feeling that, it really is time to take it easy with anything non essential