Overcoming a plateau
Can't believe I'm asking this...
I started to learn to play harmonica about eight months before coming to you. With you, I have just under two years.. so I've been at it a little close to 2 1/2 years. Some how I hit a plateau. I mixed up my practices and try to keep busy playing and something seems off... I love playing, but realized I was playing more than actually practicing in recent months. I can't hit certain bends consistently and stuck on LOA-3 and so I decided to work on LOA-4 material. All of a sudden I took a bit of time off in September and it actually rejuvenated me and now here I am in November going into December struggling to keep after it and I don't know if I'm depressed because I'm stuck on some skill sets or is this part of the process and not sure how to handle this... can't imagine keep stepping away here and there will always be beneficial. Any ideas how to overcome a plateau (I imagine that's what this is)?
Ben
Chicago, IL
Thank you, David!
Appreciate your sound approach to this and I will be using your two tips into my practice. I will report back after a few practice sessions. Once again, appreciate the feed back.
Ben
Hey Ben, I've been there and actually am there now. I have been stalled on a level for way more time than I had hoped to be. It's frustrating. I recently finished a book recommended by David - The Practicing Mind - and it opened up a whole new mindset for me. Don't get caught up in the goal, but live in the process. Reaching that next level may seem out of grasp sometimes, but enjoy the effort you are putting forth just for the sake of the process of practicing. Eventually you will reach the goal, and instead of it having been a frustrating experience you will have enjoyed the whole journey.
Thank you Rvenetucci!
Much appreciated to hear you share your experience. I know I'm not alone:)
Suprisingly, but as expected, David's two tips are rather giving me a fresh approach to practice and it was needed and a relief to say the least. I'm just now finishing up the 2nd book David recommends in his Practice Study Lessons. I'll be sure to pick up the book you mentiined The Practicing Mind... I believe that's on deck for me via Practice Leasons Sylllabus. It has been hell last few months, but seems with the new approach I'm working well back into it and don't feel it's aimless practice... a trap I fell into.
Once again, thank you for sharing your experience with this and look forward to reading The Practicing Mind...
Thank you David for your two tips that have helped me work my way out of my slump...Truly!
Ben
Thank you
Thank you
My pleasure Ben, I'm happy to help.
Hello Ben.
What's at the end of a plateau?
A noticeable increase in skill.
The plateau is part of the learning process. Sometimes we feel consistent growth... sometimes it doesn't feel like we're progressing (plateau), but we are, it's just not immediately noticeable... sometimes we have a growth spurt. So, the plateau is part of the learning process, so understand that it's a normal phase of learning that is followed with a growth spurt, you just don't know when.
You're right that stepping away sometimes can be helpful. It's generally better to have consistent practice, but when you get in a rut, and you're not inspired, then some change can be helpful.
You are correct that playing material that you already know is not practice, it's repertoire retention. Practice should be focused on something that you cannot do well.
I have two tips for you...
#1 - Walk through the Practice Study lessons, you'll find some helpful tips for your practice routine
#2 - Check out the flashcards that I made for you... they help to burn in important concepts and randomize your practice
Check those lessons out and check back here to let me know if they helped your practice perspective.