Personally speaking, I find creative endeavors benefit greatly from an uninhibited attitude and a motive of enjoyment. Somehow a carelessness towards the outcome and a playful approach spawn the best results. Perfectionism has its time and place but shouldn’t be the default attitude. At least thats my experience. In other words, when i set out to create something, a lofty ambition is often a detriment, where instead, if just I loosely follow a sense of inspiration, somehow i end up with something I’m very happy with. It removes any hazard of becoming frustrated and makes the creative act more sustaining, so “discipline” isn’t necessary.
I love this video. I'm still very new to playing banjo and I also started skateboarding within the last couple of years. I realized I could start combining these hobbies so now I strap my banjo on and skate down by the river in my city and find a place to play. The change in environment was a huge factor in building more love for the banjo (and by extension skateboarding) practice. My goal for learning the banjo was so I could sit by a river or body of water and play how I feel. There's something so peaceful and tranquil about that image in my head that drives me to keep learning and to have fun while playing.
I've been doing the Bright system and I just got to the minor chords section and it blew my mind!!!! I love your course - learning so much and enjoying the journey with you as my digital teacher.
Great advice as always. For me it's being tired after a long day of work and doing chores at home. I always make an effort to practice at least 15-30 minutes per day.
Great video, Josh. I could not agree more. I remember when I was 16 and first learned to do a hammer-on. I thought that was about the coolest thing ever (I was easily impressed), and I would sit and play hammer-ons over and over just for the pleasure of the sound. No discipline required; I was having a ball. Here is a tip that has worked for me: Practice where no one else can hear you. My wife loves my playing and has never once complained about my practicing, but I still find it easier to stay focused on what I’m doing and take pleasure in tiny gains if I have the freedom to go over something again and again without even the slightest worry (founded or unfounded) that I’m bothering her. Also, almost by definition, practice means working on things you are not good at, things that are not very musical, and things you might be a little embarrassed to have others hear. Consequently, there is a certain vulnerablity to practice that, at least for me, requires a degree of solitude. Perhaps I’m overly senstive, but I’ve heard other musicians talk about the need to practice alone, so I know I’m not unique. BTW, I believe I saw you in a video taken at Brian Sutton’s Blue Ridge Guitar Camp last summer. If you were, in fact, there, how did you like it? I’m thinking of going next year to see if this very old dog can learn a few new tricks.
I think that’s great advice about practicing out of earshot of others when possible - you want to feel free to mess up, noodle around, play the same phrase over and over again, etc. :) Bryan’s guitar camp is a wonderful experience. I’ve been there the past two years giving Brainjo workshops, and will likely be back next year.
I feel just the same way about being able to practice in private, feeling free to not hold back when you are trying out something that might just sound terrible at first. When my husband retired, my practice times plummeted. I’m getting back to practicing my instruments freely, but I don’t know if I will ever get back to practicing singing in the same way.
geez.. i told people again and again that "talent", how most people understand it, isnt a thing. in my eyes "talent" is simply interest. when making music makes someone happy, that someone is talented. simple as that. of course some people are offended, when i tell them that its no use teaching them, when they really dont have any desire to learn. but they usually stop when i tell them that they probably have another talent, or talents. also: i subbed to your channel, so keep up the good work ;)
Wonderful. One of my favorite episodes so far. This is what I’ve been trying to communicate to my friends and family for years, to the extent any of them have stuck by me as I’ve ignored them in favor of the banjo …
It's an addiction. Agreed, I try to practice for an hour a day, but I can't...I always go a bit over. That hour goes by so fast. I think it may be instrument-specific, too. I love the banjo and that makes practicing it not a chore. I have zero desire to play the guitar or the piano and I would have to force myself to practice them if they were the instruments I was trying to learn.
great video Josh! i have been playing for about a year and since starting i have almost always done at least an hour a night. i love the banjo, in the past, with other instruments it was a job and i dreaded it. my problem is finding a musical mentor in my area, i would love to go sit on grandpas porch and visually learn from him. most options are online like your program for which i am signed up for. my biggest problem is this, i work in medicine and i am on the computer all day, 5 days a week. sometimes the last thing i want to do is come home and get back on the computer to watch lesson videos lol.....i have at least cut back on the number of people i watch online! my goal is to stick with your program and stay focused. thanks again for all your help.
Thanks so much. And I totally understand trying to balance using the online resources with wanting time away from the screens. My goal with the digital resources has always been for them to enhance your life in the real world (rather than being a substitute for the real world). One thing you might try is just listening to the audio from a lesson, or a song demo. In addition to giving you some screen-free time, it'll also naturally help with ear training.
"In some cases, other parts of their life may even suffer because they don't want to do anything else." -I hear as I procrastinate going to the gym so I can play "Needlecase" just one more time...
I feel about music as you do. I am still STRUGGLING with finding the melody of a song within all of those Scruggs rolls on the 5 string banjo. Which one of your videos can help me. ?? asks Judy Corrette
So I have a question to this. If it's a hurdle to begin playing (or picking up a book), should you just accept that it may not be in the cards for you? Even if you, in general, are happy afterwards for doing it.
This makes so much sense, and explains my music school experience to a T
Personally speaking, I find creative endeavors benefit greatly from an uninhibited attitude and a motive of enjoyment. Somehow a carelessness towards the outcome and a playful approach spawn the best results. Perfectionism has its time and place but shouldn’t be the default attitude. At least thats my experience. In other words, when i set out to create something, a lofty ambition is often a detriment, where instead, if just I loosely follow a sense of inspiration, somehow i end up with something I’m very happy with. It removes any hazard of becoming frustrated and makes the creative act more sustaining, so “discipline” isn’t necessary.
Absolutely. Your comments remind me of this great talk by Ken Stanley on this topic: czcams.com/video/dXQPL9GooyI/video.html
I love this video. I'm still very new to playing banjo and I also started skateboarding within the last couple of years. I realized I could start combining these hobbies so now I strap my banjo on and skate down by the river in my city and find a place to play. The change in environment was a huge factor in building more love for the banjo (and by extension skateboarding) practice. My goal for learning the banjo was so I could sit by a river or body of water and play how I feel. There's something so peaceful and tranquil about that image in my head that drives me to keep learning and to have fun while playing.
Very cool!
That's awesome. And the image of playing a banjo on a riverbank is one that's motivated many of us. Hard to imagine anything better.
I've been doing the Bright system and I just got to the minor chords section and it blew my mind!!!! I love your course - learning so much and enjoying the journey with you as my digital teacher.
That's awesome to hear. Thanks so much.
Great video, thanks
I’m one of those people that can’t stop. I’m addicted to clawhammer.
Great advice as always. For me it's being tired after a long day of work and doing chores at home. I always make an effort to practice at least 15-30 minutes per day.
Great video, Josh. I could not agree more. I remember when I was 16 and first learned to do a hammer-on. I thought that was about the coolest thing ever (I was easily impressed), and I would sit and play hammer-ons over and over just for the pleasure of the sound. No discipline required; I was having a ball.
Here is a tip that has worked for me: Practice where no one else can hear you. My wife loves my playing and has never once complained about my practicing, but I still find it easier to stay focused on what I’m doing and take pleasure in tiny gains if I have the freedom to go over something again and again without even the slightest worry (founded or unfounded) that I’m bothering her. Also, almost by definition, practice means working on things you are not good at, things that are not very musical, and things you might be a little embarrassed to have others hear. Consequently, there is a certain vulnerablity to practice that, at least for me, requires a degree of solitude. Perhaps I’m overly senstive, but I’ve heard other musicians talk about the need to practice alone, so I know I’m not unique.
BTW, I believe I saw you in a video taken at Brian Sutton’s Blue Ridge Guitar Camp last summer. If you were, in fact, there, how did you like it? I’m thinking of going next year to see if this very old dog can learn a few new tricks.
I think that’s great advice about practicing out of earshot of others when possible - you want to feel free to mess up, noodle around, play the same phrase over and over again, etc. :)
Bryan’s guitar camp is a wonderful experience. I’ve been there the past two years giving Brainjo workshops, and will likely be back next year.
I feel just the same way about being able to practice in private, feeling free to not hold back when you are trying out something that might just sound terrible at first. When my husband retired, my practice times plummeted. I’m getting back to practicing my instruments freely, but I don’t know if I will ever get back to practicing singing in the same way.
Thankyou
I adhere to the truest of all aphorisms. No pain... no pain. 😁
Sad really that this has to be said, but glad you say it!
geez.. i told people again and again that "talent", how most people understand it, isnt a thing. in my eyes "talent" is simply interest. when making music makes someone happy, that someone is talented. simple as that. of course some people are offended, when i tell them that its no use teaching them, when they really dont have any desire to learn. but they usually stop when i tell them that they probably have another talent, or talents. also: i subbed to your channel, so keep up the good work ;)
Wonderful. One of my favorite episodes so far. This is what I’ve been trying to communicate to my friends and family for years, to the extent any of them have stuck by me as I’ve ignored them in favor of the banjo …
Haha, thanks Michael!
And your banjo buds will always understand. :)
That explains a LOT for me. Thank you for this wonderful advice.
My pleasure!
It's an addiction. Agreed, I try to practice for an hour a day, but I can't...I always go a bit over. That hour goes by so fast. I think it may be instrument-specific, too. I love the banjo and that makes practicing it not a chore. I have zero desire to play the guitar or the piano and I would have to force myself to practice them if they were the instruments I was trying to learn.
Very accurate
great video Josh! i have been playing for about a year and since starting i have almost always done at least an hour a night. i love the banjo, in the past, with other instruments it was a job and i dreaded it. my problem is finding a musical mentor in my area, i would love to go sit on grandpas porch and visually learn from him. most options are online like your program for which i am signed up for. my biggest problem is this, i work in medicine and i am on the computer all day, 5 days a week. sometimes the last thing i want to do is come home and get back on the computer to watch lesson videos lol.....i have at least cut back on the number of people i watch online! my goal is to stick with your program and stay focused. thanks again for all your help.
Thanks so much. And I totally understand trying to balance using the online resources with wanting time away from the screens. My goal with the digital resources has always been for them to enhance your life in the real world (rather than being a substitute for the real world). One thing you might try is just listening to the audio from a lesson, or a song demo. In addition to giving you some screen-free time, it'll also naturally help with ear training.
Hi Dr. Josh. Have you considered creating an audiobook version of your book THE LAWS OF BRAINJO. I would buy it if you did. :)
"In some cases, other parts of their life may even suffer because they don't want to do anything else."
-I hear as I procrastinate going to the gym so I can play "Needlecase" just one more time...
Ha! I might can relate to that. :)
To be good at something you have to be bad at it first
You have to be *willing* to be bad at it first. 🙂
I feel about music as you do. I am still STRUGGLING with finding the melody of a song within all of those Scruggs rolls on the 5 string banjo. Which one of your videos can help me. ?? asks Judy Corrette
Learn thumb lead first and you wont have that issue anymore: czcams.com/video/qX75GcCS6WY/video.htmlsi=Zb-Kw_zTBWPKtdno
So I have a question to this. If it's a hurdle to begin playing (or picking up a book), should you just accept that it may not be in the cards for you? Even if you, in general, are happy afterwards for doing it.