How long to stay with a piece?

[fjeanmur]

Hey Niel and anybody who has some thoughts about this question--

The new thread on Alice's Restaurant and the news on Sandy's injury has gotten me to post a question that I've been thinking about for a long time. Just how long should we be sticking with a song? I tend to stick with things for a long time--months usually. I do recycle things quite frequently and introduce something new from time to time, but I don't take on a large number of new songs per year. I guess this is because what interests me is very challenging, but I usually do get somewhere. I have on occasion given up, but have generally been able to come back to what I've given up on after a couple of months and then start to make progress.

Looking back on trying to learn Alice's Restaurant three years ago was nuts, but I learned it. Not as well as Vanessa, of course, but I can play it. Level 6? What was I thinking?

So I guess my question is, am I better off with a steadier flow of easier pieces or should I just keep going with what interests me and stick with those longer? "In My Life" is coming along slowly, but I am getting it and unless something up ahead stops me dead, I will finish it.

I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on this.

[unclewalt]

.

[sandysue]

Hi Jean

I got hurt because I played the same song over too many times. I was just trying to record fire and rain So I could post in the busking channel. I was dumb enough to try it again this week even though I was hurt but I just ended up recording only one take and posting it on the FOTW thread as is. Some common sense would have been helpful.

I try hard not to turn guitar playing into a job so I try not to take on too much at one time. If a song turns out to be too difficult or if I decide that I don't really like the song im working on then I may learn something from the song but not really try to perfect it and maybe not keep it on my practice list in the long run.

Sandy

[fjeanmur]

unclewalt wrote:

I don't know that there's any universal answer to this, as everybody's different. But one thing to consider: Working on one hard piece strengthens your skills, a lot. So even if you don't get that one down, working on it makes it that much easier to get simpler ones down. And makes it easier to learn other tough ones.

I've been working on "God Only Knows" since July -- maybe 60-70 percent of my practice time, and I'm not even totally off the tab yet. But that alone has made other stuff easier for me to play.

Thanks for the input. I'm glad to know that someone else can spend that long on something. I had a look at "God Only Knows." It's beautiful, but way beyond me. I can see why it's been keeping you busy. And you're right--working on one difficult thing makes the previous one easier. I appreciate your thoughts.

[unclewalt]

.

[fjeanmur]

sandysue wrote:
[quote]Hi Jean

I got hurt because I played the same song over too many times. I was just trying to record fire and rain So I could post in the busking channel. I was dumb enough to try it again this week even though I was hurt but I just ended up recording only one take and posting it on the FOTW thread as is. Some common sense would have been helpful.

I try hard not to turn guitar playing into a job so I try not to take on too much at one time. If a song turns out to be too difficult or if I decide that I don't really like the song im working on then I may learn something from the song but not really try to perfect it and maybe not keep it on my practice list in the long run.

Sandy[/quotes

Hi Sandy--

A good argument for not posting videos!

I think it might have been Neil's comment that got me thinking that maybe I should be moving things along a bit. I was wondering if more exposure to more things would be better than trying to nudge the same piece along for long period of time. For me to stay with something, I have to see improvement.

Well I hope your hand feels better soon. I enjoyed watching what you were doing with "Fire and Rain." I'm looking forward to your next project.

[sandysue]

I think you are right Jean. Neil always tries to show us the bigger picture, including learning fretboard geography, alternate tunings, and many different songs that teach new techniques so we can all broaden our knowledge about guitar playing.

It actually amazes me just how easy going and patient Neil can be, even when I spend forever on one song, but even he starts getting a little fidgety if I spend way too much time. Spinning our wheels forever on one song may not be the best use of our time, and we can alway go back later and revisit that song if we choose to.

Of course each of us has our own reason for wanting to play the guitar, and we all have different temperaments. Some people just love those long, really difficult pieces and are able to work on them ad infinitum. :S Wish I was one of them.

Sandy

[michelew]

Jean - I read somewhere that it's good to be playing and learning a mix of different things; a hard piece; a couple of moderately tricky songs and some easy ones that you can get down quickly. I should definitely do more of the later, but I find I'm most attracted to pieces that take me a while to get down properly. I often focus on the same piece for ages. Some things I just return to regularly.

I'm sure it makes sense to learn and play range of different things, but you also need to play things you enjoy. The challenge of learning something difficult and the reward of conquering it, even if it takes a whe, is definitely part of the happiness equation for me. So I guess I'm saying it's good to know what motivates you to play.

I don't think there is a right answer to your question. Though I'll be interested to hear what the gurus have to say on this issue.



Sandy - really sorry to hear you've got a playing injury; from trying to record no less. I hope you're feeling good soon.

fjeanmur wrote:

Hey Niel and anybody who has some thoughts about this question--

The new thread on Alice's Restaurant and the news on Sandy's injury has gotten me to post a question that I've been thinking about for a long time. Just how long should we be sticking with a song? I tend to stick with things for a long time--months usually. I do recycle things quite frequently and introduce something new from time to time, but I don't take on a large number of new songs per year. I guess this is because what interests me is very challenging, but I usually do get somewhere. I have on occasion given up, but have generally been able to come back to what I've given up on after a couple of months and then start to make progress.

Looking back on trying to learn Alice's Restaurant three years ago was nuts, but I learned it. Not as well as Vanessa, of course, but I can play it. Level 6? What was I thinking?

So I guess my question is, am I better off with a steadier flow of easier pieces or should I just keep going with what interests me and stick with those longer? "In My Life" is coming along slowly, but I am getting it and unless something up ahead stops me dead, I will finish it.

I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on this.