enough is ENOUGH!

[6stringbostic]

neil,

hi! could you talk a little about how much is "enough" to work on a song? i have the problem that sometimes i don't go ENOUGH into a song to get it fully learned beginning to end. my OTHER problem is working on a song TOO much. if i do that then i'm not learning new stuff, which keeps me inspired and motivated. it's a balance - a balance that i'm sure depends on your level of ability (i.e., it takes less time to get "far enough" the better your ability)

one thing that i know - a performance that you have to prepare for certainly makes you a lot more conscious of this decision about when enough is ENOUGH! (that's why i feel i need to get started posting some performances of my own...

i look forward to your thoughts on this issue.

thanks,

kevin "6 string" bostic

[dennisg]

We had a similar discussion in another thread that may shed some light on your issue:

http://www.totallyguitars.com/forum/4-g ... f-it#18565

[AcousticAl]

When you feel like smashing your guitar against the wall after working on a song for what seems like FOREVER, and you still can't get it right...

That's enough.

Not making light of your question-- I had that very feeling today.

I'm over it now- I moved on (for now).

[izzyhara]

So yes - this is a very real problem for those of us trying to learn how to play. I will echo what someone else said - sometimes you just have to walk away for a bit. Let your brain cook the song while you sleep, and you will come back the next day better than you were. Same thing with trying to solve any kind of complex problem.
And we all struggle with stuff - my current problem is that I have so many songs I want to learn to play that I am not working on ANY of them!! Instead I hang out here in the forum, and watch other people play, and somehow I think that counts as valid practice. NOT !!
Put that song away until tomorrow. Play for 10-15 minutes on something new tomorrow, and then go back to that song. It will feel fresher, and you won't feel so guilty. That's my advice for the day. Izzy

[6stringbostic]

THANKS!

[tom18]

Kevin,
Izzy is right, inspiration and virtuosity can't be rushed. They will creep up on you when least expected. Keep plugging away at the basics and you'll be be pleasantly surprised when you return to material that was once a challenge.
Tom

[neverfoundthetime]

Hi Kevin, I've answered you in the thread that Dennis started a while back: Does learning a song make you sick of it?

[izzyhara]

tom18 wrote:

Kevin,
Izzy is right, inspiration and virtuosity can't be rushed. They will creep up on you when least expected. Keep plugging away at the basics and you'll be be pleasantly surprised when you return to material that was once a challenge.
Tom

Yea - what he said !!! I blubber around and Tom sums it up succinctly.