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Topic: The Monotony Of Repetition |
Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 12 Dec 2006 5:02 pm |
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Like a child with a new toy, big boys toys (steel guitars) may create a similar monotony of repetition, seen as the excitement of a new pastime wears thin. Steel guitars are known for delivering a retention of the excitement much longer than many other activities. Depending on the individual, these variances of returning to practice, have a wide range of differences. Does advancement on the steel guitar, hinge on levels of monotony?[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 13 December 2006 at 11:46 PM.] |
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 12 Dec 2006 11:28 pm
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Bill, I don’t think there is an instrument in the world that can be learned, (learning to play) with out many hours of very boring, repetitive practising.
With a steel guitar, it starts with hitting the proper strings to find those single notes. How long did it take you to hit single strings, with some semblance of speed without doing a visual search to find that string?
Scales; though boring enough to think about throwing that stupid contraption out the window is a practise that “must” be done; and many hours of it.
Finding chords without the visual searching and counting of the strings and frets is challenge that can be learned only through boring repetition.
Let’s face it, no one on this earth will ever learn to play any instrument without an automatic motor reflex input where the subconscious does most of the placing of your bar and fingers hitting the proper strings.
It’s a mind bending, boring process; however, those musicians who have the courage, or maybe it’s audacity, to work through these long hours of boring repetitive practises, will be the musicians who will become the most proficient in their playing.
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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)
[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 12 December 2006 at 11:34 PM.] |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 3:32 am
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Les A.,
Thanks for the interesting reply. I always regret the lack of proximity, that may otherwise make possible a chance meeting with discriminating steel guitarists. Great stretches or expanses of land and waterways allow only the written word to reflect a musician's thoughts. I think it would be difficult to dispute your ideals relating to a practice routine. You may agree that not everyone shares in the same benefits of practice or time spent studying the steel guitar's complexities. In response to your question, I'll admit that I regard the 2nd, 7th, and 9th strings of the E9th chromatic tuning, to be at times, stumbling blocks in relation to the current pedal and knee lever setups.
I'm making reference in particular to glissing obstacles in moving a melody line in and out of major and seventh chords, while maintaining sustain. To each his own, but one special day, I hope to "nix" this fault, by vigorously attempting to
go full circle with the E9th setup.
Ed. to remove exclamation mark
[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 13 December 2006 at 09:09 AM.] |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 7:16 am
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| Bill, When it get's boring, is when you start to REALLY learn, IMO. And seeing yourself make measurable progress makes THAT possible, to continually go to that length. Without the reward of perceived progress, no one would do it, stick with it. Also, seeing those ahead of you in the game offers inspiration, to see what's possible. At least that seems to be how I tick. |
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Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 9:18 am
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Soon in your practice, learn what not to play.
If you bore the heck out of yourself, you will bore many others. Just because you can follow the chord progression of a tune doesn't mean you can play it with good taste. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 9:45 am
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James M., competition is very much as you have alluded to it. While witnessing someone running a pool table, or dropping one horseshoe after another on a pole, after viewing a golfer hit an ace, will transform an overconfident fellow in short order. I sat 5 feet in front of Herb Remington, while he jammed with Jeff Newman and Hal Rugg. Try to imagine the enticement of bar slants as Herb progressed through endless riffs and fills. Steel guitar mastery, without doubt, offers one of the most consistent challenges, requiring interminable dedication to practice and maintenance of lessons learned.
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 10:30 am
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Most of us: monotony monotony monotony, monotony monotony monotony ZING! monotony monotony monotony monotony monotony monotony ZING! monotony monotony monotony
Mozart: ZING! ZING! ZING! ZING! ZING! ZING! ZING! |
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Ron Sodos
From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 10:37 am
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| I have played steel since 1978 and spend about 10 years full time on the road. I practice every day for an hour and sometimes 2 or more. I play almost every weekend with 4 different bands. I have never even thought about it being monotonous. Every time I sit down I love it more. I love it more now than ever before. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 11:34 am
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Ron S., enjoy the venues where you play, while you can. My experience of playing on stages for thirty years, dictates that club ownership is forever changing hands. Another possible chink in the armor of a good playing schedule is management, and the bandleader's terms, combined with sensitiviy, with dedication to his/her band's interests. In the eighties I counted 6 bandleader offers to play in the same time period. Bandleaders have a nose for active steel guitarists, as opposed to one who is showing signs of "slumping" or making changes in routine activities. Congratulations for your ambitious pursuit of the steel guitar. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 14 December 2006 at 12:05 AM.] |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 12:15 pm
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| I pretty much like practicing. After all the years on six-string, I seem to find ways to interest myself or trick myself into tangents - when you're working on tone, practice scales, when you're practicing scales, break them up into melodic fragments (135-246-357-468) etc. Drum machines are more fun than metrononomes, and loo-ong delays (2+ seconds) can help with your intonation, timing and harmony skills. I wish I had more time & more consistent concentration skills, really. |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 1:21 pm
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David M., there are those days when practice yields substantial gains in technique and subtle maneuvering of the bar. Practice is the shortest route to rewards. Maintaining a high level of interest in the demands of becoming proficient on the steel guitar is the key to success. Monotony is a natural hindrance to a positive approach, and safeguarding the will to ward off the urge to cut back practice should remain as the highest priority. Many distractions may interfere with a scheduled practice routine, and deliberate measures taken to avoid repeated intrusions, will hasten advancements. |
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 3:49 pm
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I enjoy repitition at times and the sort of meditative quality one can reach thru it.
If repitition becomes monotonous torture that inhibits your desire to continue playing..perhaps its time to work on someother aspect of your playing? Playing is fun and challenging, especially so with the steel becuase it offers such a vast range of technical and mental challenges to overcome. Im a year in, not bored in the least. If anything I have to calm down and focus, theres so much to do, so much to learn.
Bill I see you give alot thought to the learning process on this instrument. Im curious do you give you lessons or are you just examining the learning process to somehow further your own efforts on the instrument? Cheers! |
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 4:02 pm
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After 50 years of being a musician, not only on steel guitar, I have come to appreciate the irreplaceable value of subconscious instinct when someone throws a few unexpected curves at you.
No, I don't teach and that's mostly because kids want everything dropped in their laps. Anything that takes the least possible effort is the byword. (does today’s music give you any indication of that?)
When I was young, the big thing was practising scales to train your mind to recognize the pitch or sounds of notes. After a year or so of pounding out scales, the ear (mind) will learn decipher the tiniest waver in the off pitch of a scale note. This leads to hearing chords and notes without having to consciously focus on them. It's just becomes imbedded in your mind.
That's what repetition does.
[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 13 December 2006 at 08:49 PM.] |
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Michael Dene
From:
Gippsland,Victoria, Australia
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 4:17 pm
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I don't find repetition to be boring during practice sessions, no matter how long, 'cause I am always excited about learning/ improving, mastering (maybe one day!), an aspect of this amazing instrument. Sometimes I have to stop myself getting sidetracked by a thought or idea that flashes across the radar, but that's a matter of concentration, not boredom!
reminded of my favorite education quote...
*"Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in."
- Leonardo da Vinci
Wish I'd said that...
Michael |
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 14 Dec 2006 12:44 am
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Ben J., I was rereading the replies early this morning, and noticed your inquiry about helping beginners to better understand the steel guitar. Yes, I jump at the chance to assist a newcomer who is seriously motivated, and who shows an appreciation for learning something new on the instrument. It really isn't difficult to determine a worthwhile endeavor in terms of teaching. First and foremost is the observance of a sincere interest to move ahead. A beginner who "digs" in by grasping for newly learned techniques, is assured of continued assistance. There is great satisfaction to be realized by experiencing a motivated student making important gains on the steel guitar. Thanks for your interest.
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Bill Hankey
From:
Pittsfield, MA, USA
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Posted 14 Dec 2006 6:37 am
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Ineptitude, is a real consequence of inherent attributes, and this premise must be accepted as factual. Better, best, foremost, and every word that describes some unparalleled musical accomplishment is a popular thought that is apparently entertained by many. Actually, one's penchant to chant a verbal message of excellence and exactitude gives rise to risibility. Given the earth's population, and the uncountable musicians, I would hesitate to begin to imagine who might excel above all others. In other words, you don't know who's out there. My point is, do the best you can, and be happy with it. |
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