Three steps forward and two back
Hi All,
I'm currently working hard at level 4 loa, and have been making good progress, I've even thrown chromatic into the mix. I have been working on the study songs but suddenly couldn't get the bends, especially on the strut, despite being able to do them. Arrgh how frustrating!
I went back to basics, watched David do it which made me realise that I wasn't doing it quite right, so after two 1 1/2 hour sessions dedicated solely to the 4/5 double bend on the strut, I'm getting there.
How do you guys approach setbacks?
In my limited time playing harmonica there has been several setbacks. So far, I found the problem has been related to one of two things.
First, trying to do too many new things at once. At level 4 pretty much everything is still new or not yet ingrained into the subconscious mind for much to be natural. So, when I find I am struggling at something I break things down into smaller number of tasks. Example, if bending is the problem in a study song, then I will stop trying to bend to the study song and work on bending notes by themselves or maybe even start with dips, then bends. Practice the blues scale until I have it then return to the study song.
The second thing I find that gets in the way is over thinking things. For me right now the flutter is a problem if I think about it. If I just do it and let it happen without thinking about what is required to make a flutter it just happens. I’m starting to find that bending a note maybe less about thinking about where the tongue is bent and more about hearing the pitch and letting my mind move my tongue until I hear the pitch I want. Mostly my point is to try to relax and let the mind do what it has already figured out how to do without you getting in the way by thinking about it.
I can tell when I have practice too long because things, I was previously doing a few minutes before, are now becoming more difficult. When this happens, I stop practicing that thing and work on something else or take a break until I’ve had a sleep cycle. I swear I learn more when I’m asleep than I do when I’m awake. Almost everything I’ve learned about harmonica started out with a struggle, a thought of, “this is impossible”, then one day I wake up and I’m doing it.
Good luck and make it fun.
Brian in Tennessee
Hi Brian,
You've described my setbacks exactly. I have approached it in the same manner as you, by focussing on the areas which are causing the most difficulty. I also agree about trying to do too much at once which then causes you to overpractice something only to find yourself over thinkng it and suddenly not being able to do something that was going well.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Saul
Wow. I don't know if I've ever met any artist who hadn't suffered some real tough "two steps back" times. This sort of thing has happened to me, not only in music, but in my former career, and in athletics (years ago). E.g., re the latter, in my late 20s my distance running times got pretty good. But then all of a sudden I started getting nagging injuries and going slower. A coach worked with me on the track, showing me how I'd developed a gait that was actually harmful and holding me back, and that I'd self-designed a training program that was leading to problems. Best you can do with a set-back is welcome it, e.g., say, "Hello set-back. Nice to make your acquaintance. What can I learn from you?" And it sounds as if that's exactly what you're doing, going back through David's videos, and figuring out how to go back through techniques and bring yours back up to speed in the right way for future progress.