Builders / players

[John Bertotti]

Well I'm curious but what is the one defining moment you've had building or playing and the most memorable epiphany. Just curious. I am real interested what the builders will say about building but think we may find humor in everyones replies. I wish I had a mando moment above to share but as of yet I don't. Since we're talking mandos I won't share a life related item. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif John

[Jeffers]

Almost asked the same question myself a little while ago, when I had a little epiphany. It followed that discussion about "brainless playing", i.e. taking your conscious mind out of the loop between the sounds in your head and the sounds coming out of the mandolin.

So this is what happened: I stopped thinking about left/right hand technique, stopped looking at my fingers while I was playing and just tried to project what was inside. And it worked pretty well! Even playing up in position too. It seems like my fingers maybe do know better that I do where to go for a note, if I stop worrying about it.

Obviously, not watching what you're doing is a darn good way to pick up bad habits so I'm still practicing all that technique stuff. But I do try to practice just playing without worrying about all that stuff too - it's definitely taken me forward! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[dtb]

absolutely, almost everytime we jam, I'll have a "moment" that may happen. Most of the time between myself and the fiddle player, cause we've been together so long. We'll have that "moment", and just make eye contact, and both of us hear it. It's heaven, and it may only be for a split second or two.

[John Bertotti]

I asked because this week it seems everything is just going wrong. Wrong notes wrong strings no rhythm. I'll be with out an instrument to play all next week so maybe it'll clear my mind. John