As one journeys through learning to play piano or learning to play drums, something weird happens. And like everybody else, I am a victim of this phenomenon. It frustrates me and makes me feel weak like my efforts are not rewarded by what they are due through practice and lifelong playing. Instead of explaining the matter, I’ll give you an example.
For instance, we are practicing a song on the piano. We labor through the different steps with great patience and effort. Every note, every measure, and every phrase is carefully considered and rehearsed. We cement our learning through repetition, playing it over and over until we are pretty sure we got it. The working word in the previous sentence is “pretty”. Why? Because when it comes the time to perform said piece for an audience, we can’t spit it out. There is a hesitation here, a wrong note there, an awkward dynamic at a third spot. Nothing goes according to plan and we end up with a Frankenstein of a song that vaguely resembles what we practiced.
Have you ever experienced that? Are you a beginner piano or drum player? Are you an adult going back to your childhood hobby? If so, leave a comment. I’m interested to know if I am the only one on this boat.
The purpose of this blog is to offer some solutions to a dire problem: how do we not have the feeling we are spinning our wheels for nothing? So, as a solution, I propose this: play with others.
That’s it! Thank you very much, leave me a thumbs up, a like, or whatever.
All right, all right! I’ll develop a little.
Again, instead of giving you a beautiful but dry explanation, I’ll give you this– a short story.
But wait! This blog is getting long. I’ll tell the tale in the second part, as well as offering a few tips. See you on the other side.
