Fil
113 posts
Mar 07, 2016
9:26 AM
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So how do you folks get out of harp ruts, off plateaus?
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Phil Pennington
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Killa_Hertz
700 posts
Mar 07, 2016
9:40 AM
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The easiest thing for me is to fall back to something easy.
Usually I'm pushing far beyond where i probably belong. So once i plateau and things get stale ... i fall waaaaay back to something super easy. It kinda creates a new starting point to build back up from. Usually ill fall back to one of adams tradebits. Even if it's one i have already learned, i find new things in them when i look at them with more experience.
That's the main thing that helps me. Or start back with the basics. Find something your lacking and break it down to its simplest form.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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Ian
305 posts
Mar 07, 2016
4:55 PM
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I'd absolutely second what killa said.
I'd also add maybe working on things like tabbing a tune you like or trying a different style, maybe a bit of bluegrass?
Sometimes it can be you are running out of learning materials that engage you, I found a lot of milage in gindicks 'bluesify Your melody' for having fun with.
Bottom line, mix it up and keep having fun. Don't think of it as a rut.
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Killa_Hertz
702 posts
Mar 07, 2016
5:57 PM
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Yea your right Ian. Sometimes if I work out a song it ll light a fire up under me. I don't do tabs really. I just work it out in my head n remember it, but i kno what u mean.
I need to go back n get more 12 bar licks under my belt. I jump around too much.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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Killa_Hertz
703 posts
Mar 07, 2016
5:57 PM
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Yea your right Ian. Sometimes if I work out a song it ll light a fire up under me. I don't do tabs really. I just work it out in my head n remember it, but i kno what u mean.
I need to go back n get more 12 bar licks under my belt. I jump around too much.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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Glass Harp Full
116 posts
Mar 08, 2016
3:44 AM
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I usually put the harps aside for a few days when I get frustrated or things aren't working out how I'd like. Quite often I find when I come back to it the problem has sorted itself out. I think there's a lot of value in letting your mind fallow for a while.
Also trying out a new song or style as others have said helps a lot.
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MindTheGap
1256 posts
Mar 08, 2016
4:25 AM
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Good ideas.
I look for some variety from reading MBH too, old and new stuff. I guess this is in lieu of visiting a real teacher who otherwise would provide that kind of thing.
Sometimes buying a new bit of kit is a shot in the arm.
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Favourite Threads
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Mar 08, 2016 4:26 AM
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Fil
114 posts
Mar 08, 2016
6:15 AM
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Thanks very much, folks. Heres a summary, with some thinking out loud:
. fall back to something easy. For me, like a song or solo I already know pretty well, but can certainly improve. And use familiar stuff to work on new techniques.
. Go back to a lesson...Gussow, Shellist, Sankey have several that I can go back to for a refresher.
. Tab out a tune or licks. Would help the ear and imprinting the piece
. Try a different style of music.
. "Bluesify your melody". I actually have this, but haven't done much with it.
. Take a break. I've had two extensive post surgery breaks since fall. In fact, playing seemed refreshed after I got back into it.
. MTG, I've spent quality time working on a couple of your recent BOX clips...really.
. New kit, there is that urge, and I give in on occasion...Bulletini last month, Memphis Mini for Christmas. (Turns out to be a good combination.) Ruts can be salty.
. Keep it fun. I started late, now 69, and feel like I'm in a race with time and the devil to get this down before I can't no more. It's not a race.
Thanks again.
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Phil Pennington
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Harp Study
193 posts
Mar 12, 2016
6:34 PM
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Ruts are a common issue in the long haul of learning an instrument. When I finally realized that learning an instrument was a life long journey and not a sprint it opened me up to just go with the flow.
A new album often helps me get out of a rut or a skype lesson with the unbelievable pool of artist/teachers that are now available due to the technology that is avialable.
The most important thing is to make sure and pick up the instrument again. Ruts often scare me, because we often have to lay down the instrument to get through them. I'm always scared that I won't pick it up again; but it luckily so far it has never happened.
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