I have been attending lessons on the box for one year now and getting on well, just looking for tips on further improvement I could achieve (particularly technically). I practice quite a bit. Also I attend a session locally but never bring the box as I am too nervous to do so. I would love to join in with a few tunes but don't feel confident enough, my tutor said get stuck in play what you know.I am not a complete novice as I got to a decent standard on the whistle many years ago together with teaching myself the basics on the box.
Nervousness is common to all humanity -- it's a survival thing. You have to get yourself into a frame of mind where nervousness doesn't apply (easier said than done) and try to keep focussed there. You wouldn't feel nervous talking to your mates, or telling a joke, or showing off your new shoes. It's the same sort of thing. Think of a tune you know you can play well, and start from there. That's where your confidence comes from -- the confidence that you can play the tune, not some sort of abstract feeling of worth. If anyone presses you, just stick to your guns:- one tune, and that's it. If it goes well, then you've broken the ice. If you feel OK, play some more, but don't feel that you have to. Once everyone knows you can play a bit, the pressure's off and it becomes an attraction instead. Just remember: you're not getting up on stage, and you're no different to anyone else there. Try taking your box, but tell yourself you're on the way somewhere else with it, that way you won't feel as if you are getting ready for a performance. See how long you can last with the box on the floor beside you when they start playing stuff you know!
Go in with an intention just to play along for one tune or set. I am sure they will do you the favor of adjusting to your speed for that. And after a couple of weeks of that set, ask for another, and pretty soon the first set will be up to speed, and then the second, and then the third, and then another and another, and before long, you will laugh at the thought of ever having been nervous about it.
The longest journey starts with a single step, so step in there and enjoy!
Looking for tips on further improvement? Don't practice quite a bit - practice _a lot_
And yes, take the plunge and take your box to the session. Sessions can provide wonderful inspiration to improve. You'll want to learn tunes that you hear there, and work hard on ones that you sort of know but aren't really solid on, so that you can join in next week.
If you don't want to just sit there with your box, bring a bodhran. Everybody loves a bodhran. And the nice thing is, you don't even need to know the tunes, you can just wallop away.
...may as well buy a guitar as well as the bodharn. That way you'll be sure to thoroughly irritate everyone in the session...
I take it your box teacher isn't local? You'll just have to introduce yourself and ask if they mind if you join in for a set or two. It's a rare session that won't welcome a beginner for a couple sets.
The washboard? This is all getting complicated, next thing you'll be bringing the washtub and a mop, and before you know it you'll be playing bass. Might as well stick with the box, I suppose.
Well, nothing for it but to play a few tunes that you know, give them your best and do your best to carry on even if you think you made a mistake. If you're nervous - and who isn't, their first time at a session? - remember to breathe. Remember to breathe in any case, but especially if you forget. And you can quote me on that.
Lessons & Sessions
Lessons & Sessions
I have been attending lessons on the box for one year now and getting on well, just looking for tips on further improvement I could achieve (particularly technically). I practice quite a bit. Also I attend a session locally but never bring the box as I am too nervous to do so. I would love to join in with a few tunes but don't feel confident enough, my tutor said get stuck in play what you know.I am not a complete novice as I got to a decent standard on the whistle many years ago together with teaching myself the basics on the box.
# Posted on September 7th 2010 by aido1
Re: Lessons & Sessions
Listen to your tutor. If you doubt you're readiness, you're probably ready.
# Posted on September 7th 2010 by Dragut Reis
Re: Lessons & Sessions
Agh! Apostrophe error - the shame, the shame...
# Posted on September 7th 2010 by Dragut Reis
Re: Lessons & Sessions
Nervousness is common to all humanity -- it's a survival thing. You have to get yourself into a frame of mind where nervousness doesn't apply (easier said than done) and try to keep focussed there. You wouldn't feel nervous talking to your mates, or telling a joke, or showing off your new shoes. It's the same sort of thing. Think of a tune you know you can play well, and start from there. That's where your confidence comes from -- the confidence that you can play the tune, not some sort of abstract feeling of worth. If anyone presses you, just stick to your guns:- one tune, and that's it. If it goes well, then you've broken the ice. If you feel OK, play some more, but don't feel that you have to. Once everyone knows you can play a bit, the pressure's off and it becomes an attraction instead. Just remember: you're not getting up on stage, and you're no different to anyone else there. Try taking your box, but tell yourself you're on the way somewhere else with it, that way you won't feel as if you are getting ready for a performance. See how long you can last with the box on the floor beside you when they start playing stuff you know!
# Posted on September 7th 2010 by gam
Re: Lessons & Sessions
Go in with an intention just to play along for one tune or set. I am sure they will do you the favor of adjusting to your speed for that. And after a couple of weeks of that set, ask for another, and pretty soon the first set will be up to speed, and then the second, and then the third, and then another and another, and before long, you will laugh at the thought of ever having been nervous about it.
The longest journey starts with a single step, so step in there and enjoy!
# Posted on September 8th 2010 by AlBrown
Re: Lessons & Sessions
Looking for tips on further improvement? Don't practice quite a bit - practice _a lot_
And yes, take the plunge and take your box to the session. Sessions can provide wonderful inspiration to improve. You'll want to learn tunes that you hear there, and work hard on ones that you sort of know but aren't really solid on, so that you can join in next week.
# Posted on September 9th 2010 by Jeeves Tones
Re: Lessons & Sessions
If you don't want to just sit there with your box, bring a bodhran. Everybody loves a bodhran. And the nice thing is, you don't even need to know the tunes, you can just wallop away.
# Posted on September 9th 2010 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: Lessons & Sessions
...and if you don't have access to a bodhran, pick up one of those shaky eggs, or grab a pair of spoons from the kitchen drawer.
# Posted on September 9th 2010 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Lessons & Sessions
...may as well buy a guitar as well as the bodharn. That way you'll be sure to thoroughly irritate everyone in the session...
I take it your box teacher isn't local? You'll just have to introduce yourself and ask if they mind if you join in for a set or two. It's a rare session that won't welcome a beginner for a couple sets.
# Posted on September 9th 2010 by ElaineT
Re: Lessons & Sessions
Washboard! That's the ticket to a session's heart!
# Posted on September 10th 2010 by AlBrown
Re: Lessons & Sessions
The washboard? This is all getting complicated, next thing you'll be bringing the washtub and a mop, and before you know it you'll be playing bass. Might as well stick with the box, I suppose.
Well, nothing for it but to play a few tunes that you know, give them your best and do your best to carry on even if you think you made a mistake. If you're nervous - and who isn't, their first time at a session? - remember to breathe. Remember to breathe in any case, but especially if you forget. And you can quote me on that.
# Posted on September 10th 2010 by Jon Kiparsky