Captain Jack Sparrow on Guitar Practice Attitude
Tuesday Quotes are short explorations of music, life, and the daily endeavor of practicing classical guitar. Enjoy!
βThe problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.β
Captain Jack Sparrow
Classical guitar is a long game. Sure, we can accomplish much through spurts of high action. But the real joy and progress come with showing up day after day, year after year. Itβs the incremental improvements that reward us.
To keep showing up, it helps to feel good about the whole affair. We need to feel pulled toward our practice. We can only push for so long before we lose the willpower.
Frustration is demotivating. Unmet expectations zap our energy. Doubt and fear take the fun out of it.
Most often, these manifest themselves as small events in practice. We feel we should have mastered that small section by now. We assume other people have it easier (they donβt) and judge ourselves harshly.
These nagging frustrations erode our musical experience. They chip away at our confidence and creativity. They undermine our intentions and make practice more difficult.
Instead of forming habits of negative self-talk and insecurity, we can stay upbeat.
When we encounter tricky spots and hard lessons, we can take it in stride. These are normal β all part of the game. These obstacles help us grow. They offer the opportunity to try new solutions and experiment with different perspectives.
When we face challenges (and we will, daily) we have a choice: up or down. Will we use this challenge as sport, or will we take it as a personal affront?
In practice, itβs just the music, the instrument and us. No one else is involved. We can find joy and meaning in the work, or we can crumble. The choice is ours, each day and each moment.
Hi, I’m Allen Mathews.
I started as a folk guitarist, then fell in love with classical guitar in my 20βs. Despite a lot of practice and schooling, I still couldnβt get my music to flow well. I struggled with excess tension. My music sounded forced. And my hands and body were often sore. I got frustrated, and couldnβt see the way forward. Then, over the next decade, I studied with two other stellar teachers β one focused on the technical movements, and one on the musical (he was a concert pianist). In time, I came to discover a new set of formulas and movements. These brought new life and vitality to my practice. Now I help guitarists find more comfort and flow in their music, so they play more beautifully.
Click here for a sample formula.
Life is good, still enjoying [The Woodshed Program], the progress is life altering, I love it. The physical challenges of my situation have rained havoc for over half my life. In spite of those little pests this 40$ Yamaha classical who needed a new home and your course has given me the "part the clouds for the sun to shine through" outlook. You see, even when I am unable to play I know she patiently waits for my return as I do. A giant void in my journey was filled with light.
~ Ken Montz
-Ken Montz
I also want to thank you for including more video lessons on the Bridges Guitar Series. I have learned to play Calatayud's Waltz. The most exciting thing about having done this is that I sight-read the entire piece as I was learning it. Six months ago looking at a sheet of music was like looking at Egyptian hieroglyphics. Learning to read notation is empowering and I appreciate the sensible way you are teaching us to learn to read music.
~ Steve Simpler
-Steve Simpler
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