Posted by mudbug on Monday, December 26, 2011
The end of 2012 is drawing near, as is my fiddle fiscal year which comes at the end of Jan.
Almost 3 years. Some days things go so smooth, I soar with the eagles. Other days, I'm still struggling with the basics. Actually, they can both occur in the same practice session.
I think that this is a critical time, as expectations from experience learning other instruments, can leave you frustrated and ready to pack it in. "Heck, I've been at this thing 3 years and still suck? Lator for you!"
Some of it is trying not to label the playing with emotional terms like "good" and "bad". It just is what it is. I practice things I need to practice, and some days are more of a struggle than others, which really means that I still need to work on those things. I practice because I enjoy the focus, like a Japanese tea ceremony.
Next year, I'll probably still be struggling, with the fiddle and with myself.
Happy New Year!
9 comments on “Auld Lang Syne”
Andah1andah2 Says:
Monday, December 26, 2011 @5:39:44 AM
Yes, it can be good and bad within the same session. I try to end a practice on a good note.
And right now, I've added some of the stuff that you have been doing Steve. That is playing music on the radio and trying to play along or fill in. Not easy but it's where I want to go. I've been playing stuff on youtube so I can play it back over and over.
Happy Happy
richdissmore Says:
Monday, December 26, 2011 @5:34:41 PM
will mud i,m getting better on the fiddle i know that the worst is be hind us i hope looking for word to a better year your firend rich
mudbug Says:
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 @3:07:54 AM
Thankyou, both. Congrats Stew, on your radio jamming. Sometimes it's better than a live band, as you can play things over and over at your own pace.
stew692 Says:
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 @12:34:08 PM
I'm at year 4 this month, and although I've gotten much better this year, some of my older tunes still sound pretty flat. Hang in there. :o)
mudbug Says:
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 @1:20:37 PM
Thanks, Stew, and uh, I think I meant the end of 2011.
cardinalwookie Says:
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 @2:35:10 PM
I never will be exactly where I want to be on any instrument so every year I just hope to be better than I was last year.
Remember it's the journey not the destination. If I ever thought that I had "made it" the journey would be over and I would stop. Long live having a bit further to go I say!
Happy Hogmannay MB keep fiddlin' while the fiddlin's fun.
Humbled by this instrument Says:
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 @5:53:14 PM
Today just had a breakthrough, another way to phrase the notes and go up/down scales or arpeggios, a different bowing if you will. Yet I didn't force it at all; rather, it just came about. The last few years have been like this. I'm not forcing much. If stuff comes to me, it does. If not, if not. I'm not forcing myself to play a Bb minor scale if I don't wanna. But, Mudbug, at year three I never soared with eagles, oh no. I'm on 9 1/2 and just now feeling fairly comfortable...yet I can still stink up the place, too. I would say, "Keep the faith," but we do anyways, don't we? It's what we do. We play.
mudbug Says:
Wednesday, December 28, 2011 @2:47:21 AM
Thanks, Wookie!
Yes, Curt, it's what we do.
fiddleplayer2 Says:
Saturday, January 7, 2012 @9:04:23 AM
I believe we all are or at one time been there. Some days I can do no wrong and others it's like the first day I ever touched a Fiddle but, all in all the experience is far better than anything else musically I've ever done. year 2 for me and some how along the way I have acquired F.A.S. I now own 10 Fiddles and am looking for 2 Violas to add to the collection as well as a Cello and an Upright Bass.
( FP2 )
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