Are all beginning players, closet players for a long while? I have been playing mandolin for about 9 months. I practice my tunes on a daily basis, playing them over and over again. I get to a point where I think I can perhaps I can start a tune at a real session not just in the confines of the upstairs room where I practiced.
So off I go to the next session and normally what happens when I am asked if I would like to start a tune, I get into the first three measures of a simple tune such as “ Britches full of Stitches” make a mistake and my Flipping mind goes BLANK. Someone else picks up the tune and it played to the end. It is suggested that I keep practicing.
Are all beginning players, closet players? By that I mean, do most beginning players new to ITM go through the same embarrassing process? How long did it you to get out of the closet so to speak and be able to play comfortably at a session? I am convinced it going to take me until the next decade or more.
I've been playing for forty years and it still happens sometimes. It's normal. The more you play for people and the more secure you feel with your tunes the less you'll flub like that. It always sounds better when you're in your kitchen and there's no pressure. The thing is, you're putting the pressure on yourself.
Meanwhile, yes, keep playing.
I practiced for about two and a half years before I sat in on a session, and had close to a hundred tunes I could play competently, with maybe twenty or thirty I had down absolutely pat, some with multiple settings and in different keys. That was two and a half years in a weekly group lesson with an established, respected teacher. I practiced at home every day, at least an hour, often three or four hours a day on weekends. When not playing, I listened to almost nothing but Irish traditional music – Coleman, Canny, Kelly, Burke, Hayes etc. This was on top of a lifetime of playing various instruments, playing in bands etc.
I’m not saying this to discourage you from going to sessions, CCS. In a way the group lessons (4-5 people +teacher) were a kind of slow session and it was STILL several years before I felt confident enough to play in a regular session. I’m just saying that if you’re starting out cold, as an adult beginner, it may take some time.
Blanking out and screwing up are normal. I still train wreck, but I’ve learned to drop out, regain composure and jump back in, usually only missing a few notes or a phrase.
So be patient and give yourself some slack. Keep your antennae out at the sessions, and if you sense you’re annoying folks, back off a bit. But it sounds like you’re already sensitive to other people’s experience and concerned about doing the right thing.
“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”
My house(party) has a closet. Look to make friends an play music with them outside of public sessions. reference my house party post. You'll be able to play in public with ease that much faster, and feel much more a part of your local music community.
The more you play by yourself the more you grow accustomed to the practice. Playing in session is really the way to become better at playing in session. You may even have an epiphany.
The trouble with playing at home all the time is that you get used to the acoustics. When you play in another place it sounds completely different and you lose the familiarity gained from all that practise. Try playing in different rooms. Even other corners of the same room. Go out into the garden, if you have one. Anywhere, just to get used to the differences in ambience and reverb.
You can also arrange to have your manservant attack you unexpectedly while you practice. Nothing builds unshakable focus like fending off a windmilling crane-fist assault while smoothly transitioning into that fifth part of Dr. O’Neill’s.
I've heard of flute fu, but CCS is playing a mandolin. More difficult to use as a defensive weapon, I think - although it can be offensive, in the wrong hands.
<<I practiced for about two and a half years before I sat in on a session, and had close to a hundred tunes I could play competently, with maybe twenty or thirty I had down absolutely pat, some with multiple settings and in different keys. That was two and a half years in a weekly group lesson with an established, respected teacher. I practiced at home every day, at least an hour, often three or four hours a day on weekends. When not playing, I listened to almost nothing but Irish traditional music – Coleman, Canny, Kelly, Burke, Hayes etc. This was on top of a lifetime of playing various instruments, playing in bands etc.>>
I can relate- I still have a problem with starting tunes- well known to all I play with by now . I just try not to start them mostly and good thing there are always more agressive types at my sessions who are more than happy to start 'em!
I also concur with gam above- I have been learning whistle but play fiddle at sessions. I play whistle pretty much every day at home but in the same spot- took it out once at a session and it sounded different, felt different, eeek.... so this is also something to guard against. We can get mighty comfortable playing alone at home in our closet, dining room, backyard or wherever but taking it to a session is a whole other feel entirely....
I think it's a good idea to go ahead and do what you can at the session. It's so much different playing with others than playing alone. There's a bit of pressure of course, plus trying to listen to (but not be distracted by) the other players. If you have a friendly supportive session to play at, that will work. I started sitting in after a few months even though I really only knew a handful of tunes, but playing (and very importantly, listening) at the session was probably the best thing for me to improve and expand my playing. It's also more fun. It will get better quickly.
Closet Playing
Closet Playing
Closet playing?
Are all beginning players, closet players for a long while? I have been playing mandolin for about 9 months. I practice my tunes on a daily basis, playing them over and over again. I get to a point where I think I can perhaps I can start a tune at a real session not just in the confines of the upstairs room where I practiced.
So off I go to the next session and normally what happens when I am asked if I would like to start a tune, I get into the first three measures of a simple tune such as “ Britches full of Stitches” make a mistake and my Flipping mind goes BLANK. Someone else picks up the tune and it played to the end. It is suggested that I keep practicing.
Are all beginning players, closet players? By that I mean, do most beginning players new to ITM go through the same embarrassing process? How long did it you to get out of the closet so to speak and be able to play comfortably at a session? I am convinced it going to take me until the next decade or more.
# Posted on September 12th 2009 by Cape Cod Struggler
Re: Closet Playing
The trouble with starting out playing in the closet is you tend to get flushed when you start in sessions.
# Posted on September 12th 2009 by Bernie
Re: Closet Playing
I've been playing for forty years and it still happens sometimes. It's normal. The more you play for people and the more secure you feel with your tunes the less you'll flub like that. It always sounds better when you're in your kitchen and there's no pressure. The thing is, you're putting the pressure on yourself.
Meanwhile, yes, keep playing.
# Posted on September 12th 2009 by David Levine
Re: Closet Playing
Ten years later I still flub the start of a tune. Embarrassing yes, but I've gotten used to it.
# Posted on September 12th 2009 by boxielady
Re: Closet Playing
I practiced for about two and a half years before I sat in on a session, and had close to a hundred tunes I could play competently, with maybe twenty or thirty I had down absolutely pat, some with multiple settings and in different keys. That was two and a half years in a weekly group lesson with an established, respected teacher. I practiced at home every day, at least an hour, often three or four hours a day on weekends. When not playing, I listened to almost nothing but Irish traditional music – Coleman, Canny, Kelly, Burke, Hayes etc. This was on top of a lifetime of playing various instruments, playing in bands etc.
I’m not saying this to discourage you from going to sessions, CCS. In a way the group lessons (4-5 people +teacher) were a kind of slow session and it was STILL several years before I felt confident enough to play in a regular session. I’m just saying that if you’re starting out cold, as an adult beginner, it may take some time.
Blanking out and screwing up are normal. I still train wreck, but I’ve learned to drop out, regain composure and jump back in, usually only missing a few notes or a phrase.
So be patient and give yourself some slack. Keep your antennae out at the sessions, and if you sense you’re annoying folks, back off a bit. But it sounds like you’re already sensitive to other people’s experience and concerned about doing the right thing.
“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”
# Posted on September 12th 2009 by fidkid
Re: Closet Playing
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/22615/comments#comment468748 may be of some help.
# Posted on September 12th 2009 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Closet Playing
Eat a banana seems to be a popular remedy to calm nerves.
# Posted on September 12th 2009 by Petey_Whistle
Re: Closet Playing
My house(party) has a closet. Look to make friends an play music with them outside of public sessions. reference my house party post. You'll be able to play in public with ease that much faster, and feel much more a part of your local music community.
# Posted on September 12th 2009 by SandyBottoms
Re: Closet Playing
The more you play by yourself the more you grow accustomed to the practice. Playing in session is really the way to become better at playing in session. You may even have an epiphany.
# Posted on September 12th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: Closet Playing
The trouble with playing at home all the time is that you get used to the acoustics. When you play in another place it sounds completely different and you lose the familiarity gained from all that practise. Try playing in different rooms. Even other corners of the same room. Go out into the garden, if you have one. Anywhere, just to get used to the differences in ambience and reverb.
# Posted on September 12th 2009 by gam
Re: Closet Playing
You can also arrange to have your manservant attack you unexpectedly while you practice. Nothing builds unshakable focus like fending off a windmilling crane-fist assault while smoothly transitioning into that fifth part of Dr. O’Neill’s.
# Posted on September 12th 2009 by fidkid
Re: Closet Playing
I've heard of flute fu, but CCS is playing a mandolin. More difficult to use as a defensive weapon, I think - although it can be offensive, in the wrong hands.
# Posted on September 13th 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Closet Playing
I don't start tunes. Lucky not everyone feels this way!
# Posted on September 13th 2009 by c.g.
Re: Closet Playing
<<I practiced for about two and a half years before I sat in on a session, and had close to a hundred tunes I could play competently, with maybe twenty or thirty I had down absolutely pat, some with multiple settings and in different keys. That was two and a half years in a weekly group lesson with an established, respected teacher. I practiced at home every day, at least an hour, often three or four hours a day on weekends. When not playing, I listened to almost nothing but Irish traditional music – Coleman, Canny, Kelly, Burke, Hayes etc. This was on top of a lifetime of playing various instruments, playing in bands etc.>>
Thats the way fidkid, well done.
# Posted on September 13th 2009 by piobagusfidil
Re: Closet Playing
I can relate- I still have a problem with starting tunes- well known to all I play with by now
. I just try not to start them mostly and good thing there are always more agressive types at my sessions who are more than happy to start 'em!
I also concur with gam above- I have been learning whistle but play fiddle at sessions. I play whistle pretty much every day at home but in the same spot- took it out once at a session and it sounded different, felt different, eeek.... so this is also something to guard against. We can get mighty comfortable playing alone at home in our closet, dining room, backyard or wherever but taking it to a session is a whole other feel entirely....
# Posted on September 14th 2009 by fiddlinfarmer
Re: Closet Playing
I think it's a good idea to go ahead and do what you can at the session. It's so much different playing with others than playing alone. There's a bit of pressure of course, plus trying to listen to (but not be distracted by) the other players. If you have a friendly supportive session to play at, that will work. I started sitting in after a few months even though I really only knew a handful of tunes, but playing (and very importantly, listening) at the session was probably the best thing for me to improve and expand my playing. It's also more fun. It will get better quickly.
# Posted on September 15th 2009 by PatrickJWK