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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
I am hard-wired for oppositional behavior whenever faced with the word "practice". Like when I was 8 years old and my mother (bless her) would tell me, "I'd better hear you practicing that piano for the next 45 minutes or else!". Which of course I would try any possible excuses or distractions to avoid doing
So it's important that I never practice now that I'm allegedly grown up. No need to cause myself mental anguish.
What I do instead is I'll go "play", eight bars of a tune at 3/4 speed with a metronome for 20 minutes. Or do closed position scale patterns on the higher frets for a few minutes at a time. Not "practice" though, that's miserable. Just playing something until I can play it better.
My wife used to refer to that as "practicing" until I explained the proper terminology. So now she calls it "messing around with that tune until it sounds right" which is pretty good compromise lingo, I think.
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
Tennis elbow - but hang on, it's gone away...
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
I don't need to practice. I just spent a half hour noodling.
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Look, I am willing to accept limited significant forward progress in order to binge watch all of Grace and Frankie.
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
How can you think of mandolin practice when there are so many incorrect postings on Facebook.
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
My band mates are mediocre players so I don't want to play too well and make them feel bad.
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
Look at this place. I have got to clean up / straighten up. Who can practice in this chaos. No wonder I have not been motivated in so long.
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Mandolin went through the dang washing machine again, I keep telling my wife to check the pockets, sheesh!
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
You know I was thinking about this more in the sense of "why do we play".
Someone (who I have since kept my distance from) once asked me- "why do you play music, nothing will ever come of it", which to me is a very ignorant perspective.
I play music first and foremost -because I like to. I could spend years ( and I have) learning a tune, only to perform it to myself and to my own liking. That's not to say I don't play music in public or with others, I do, but that is not the primary reason I practice.
I practice because practicing is playing and I like to play.
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
Quote:
Originally Posted by
tmsweeney
I practice because practicing is playing and I like to play.
I think this sums it up pretty well. It helps remove the stigma associated with the term in the mind that fosters an attitude which equates "practice" with "work."
That said, I don't practice because it leads my mind into endless thought problems and mind games which bring me down a rabbit hole where my sense of purpose and self-esteem and the very existence of the point of living are called into question, facing insurmountable doubt: How have I let myself waste so much time and money and effort on something that will never amount to more than a few moments' enjoyment now and then? Yeah, who needs that? I'm good with my skill level.
OK, I'm kidding - mostly - I think, :confused: but I can sure see how someone could feel that way.
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
Here’s an excuse that always works:
-I can’t possibly practice right now. It’s 3:30 in the morning.
(Never mind where. It’s 3:30 in the morning… somewhere)
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
I had a legitimate reason today. About midnight last night I got up and on my way, through the house, I stepped on something in a doorway so I bet over to pick it up. Reaching down my fingernail hit the door jamb. Well, it hurt. So, I think I will skip practice today. Yep got a splinter so big under my nail it literally went past the nail and into the finger. I have a picture if anyone needs proof. No blood so no need to worry. But the finger is a bit sore.
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
Oh, now! It's only one finger. Don't let that stop you! Tough it out! Push through the pain! :mad:
Or not. Take a break. Tomorrow is another day. These are reasons to avoid practicing, after all. :whistling:
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2 Attachment(s)
Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
Yeah, OK. :disbelief: That's a valid reason. Ouch! :crying:
Wait - is that your fretting hand or picking hand? :confused:
Never mind. Take off as long as you want. Heal up fast and well. And ... Yikes! :disbelief:
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
Fretting hand and today you would never know it happened. No pain at all, maybe just a bit numb in a spot or two on the nail but the fingertip feels fine, and looking at it if you didn't know the stake to kill Dracula was shoved under it you couldn't tell. I don't think I have ever had an injury heal in less than two days. Weird. But I'm not complaining. I'll practice several times today to make up for it!
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
Quote:
Originally Posted by
John Bertotti
Ouch! That sliver must've just snuck in between the layers. Lucky you!
Just keep an eye out for secondary infection.
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
I gave it a good witch hazel soak but it was a rude awakening at midnight when I was half asleep. Weirdest splinter I ever got a bit of pain but I have stunned a toe worse and today you would never know it happened! But it was a good reason to miss one day. I have no excuse for today other than, well I’ll think of something.
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
I am not going to practice because I am only going to hurt myself in some other activity, woodworking, motorcycle, something, and not be able to play, making practicing now irrelevant and a waste of time.
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
Hahaha I'm stealing that one when the time arrives!
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
JeffD, I think you've hit upon the universally acceptable reason/excuse. Your future self will surely thank your present self for being so considerate, looking out for its welfare. ;)
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
I got a bad paper cut on my left pinkie.
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
The worst! I’ve had paper cuts that hurt worse than any splinter or larger injury! I suggest a week off and a pain killer of your choice. Mine is a couple inuprophen and a hard cider. But you may find after that you can practice!
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing
I just don't wanna!!! :crying: :crying: :crying:
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Re: Reasons to avoid practicing