retired

[fred d]

After reading here how long it might take to become proficent and retiring 2 years ago I have decided to put them back in there case and just watch TV I will trade them for good whiskey.

[Michael Lewis]

Fred, it's not the level of profiency that is the only goal because you don't have to get really good to enjoy the mandolin. The journey is far more rewarding. Just think of the folks you can meet, the musicians, the festival goers, your new jamming buddies, etc. New tunes to learn and play with your circle of friends. Concerts to attend and be blown away by, and other concerts that don't do much for you. It's all good, it's the journey.

[Bobbie Dier]

fred d,

Don't give it up. I agree with mandopluker and Michael Lewis, play for the FUN of it. TV wastes your time. Whiskey really wastes your time.

[AlanN]

Ya know, you CAN do all 3 at the same time

[pettyman]

Stick to it man. Whisky only wastes your time if you drink it whilst NOT playing mando though - the two compliment each other beautifully!!!

[John Flynn]

This may be hard to appreciate at that moment, but looking back the learning and the struggling to improve is the best part. I remember my first experiences playing very fondly, even though I was terrible. So I still keep struggling and enjoying, even though I will never be "great." Appreciate the journey and don't worry so much about the destination.

I have also read that playing music is one of the things that can keep your mind sharp as you grow older. Some experts believe it may help prevent alzheimer's. BTW, TV and whiskey were not on the list of things that have that effect.

[kyblue]

I think I might be 80 before being any good, if ever. But, guess what, I'm going to be 80 anyway one day (hopefully) ...

It's not the destination, it's the journey.

Paula

[fatt-dad]

If you watch "Survivor", "The Apprentice", or "The Biggest Loser", you will still be able to practice. These shows don't even require half of your attention and you can give the other half to noodling - working on your muscle memory.

fatt haven't-quit-yet dad

[JEStanek]

Fred,
As a guy who practices too little but still gets immense satisfaction out of the struggles and triumphs I would suggest you stay with it. Even playing poorly will help you appreciate those who do play well more and those performances will inspire you. Don't give up! The world is worse off when people give up making music for TV!

Jamie

[ourgang]

There are lots and lots and lots.....of folks who are way, way, way, way....better than me, but there are none who enjoy it more. I started on the mandolin 25 years ago and still can't play well, but I still pick it up nearly every day if to only strum a chord or play one simple melody. Keep on keepin' on.

[Dave Schimming]

I don't think becoming proficient is a necessary requirement (nice but not necessary) to get some enjoyment out of the mando. Also the definition of proficiency will be different for each individual. If you are getting some level of enjoyment out of playing or trying to learn to play, play on. Some tunes I would say I am proficient playing them and other songs, well...... not so good.

[Dave Schimming]

Oh I also wanted to add that watching TV and pickin the mando are completely compatible tasks (unless the spouse is wanting to watch one of her favorite shows - best to go to a different area of the house then).

[AlanN]

ksmandocat,

Can help but wonder if your 'tag' line is a reference to the late, great Dave Peters.

And on topic...I also recall when I couldn't play, it was just as exciting then as now.

[gnelson651]

I understand where you're coming from. It seems to me that everyone I see/hear playing the mando is better than me. I gave up the banjo because I sucked at it and went to the mandolin.

Now I suck at the mandolin too .

But it has been an enjoyable (and frustrating) three years since I started playing this little instrument. If I think about how I'm playing at the moment, it seems I'm going nowheresville. But if I reflect how I've improved since last year or three years ago, it helps me to move on.

Just pick up your mandolin everyday even for a few minutes and play something you like or feel at the moment.

Unless you have to quit for physical reasons, stay with it man, it may come slowly but it will come.

[250sc]

fred,

It sounds like your pretty frustrated. I have to agree with those who state that it is the journey towards the goal that is the most fulfilling part of any task. You don't have to compare yourself to anybody but yourself and if you play every day you will progress.

If you don't mind can you answer a couple of questions that could shed some light on your situation?

How long do you think it takes to become proficent and what else do you plan on spending your retirement years doing? Playing music keeps the mind sharp and learning new things every day gives you a reason to get out of bed in the mornings.

(I also agree with those who feel watching TV isn't much of a goal and a little drop or two of whisky shouldn't hurt the creative process. I say sell the TV to buy the whisky.)

Good luck.

[keymandoplyr]

Bought my first mandolin at age 65. Since that time I have met Lots of great bluegrass musicians such a s Sam Bush, Melvin Goins, Dr ralph Stanley and the list goes on. Have enjoyed all the festivals and jams. Im playing in bands and on a Gospel TV show in Louisville. I,ll be 70 next week. wouldnt trade these last 5 years for anything thanks to a little mandolin.So dont get discouraged. If I can do it at my age so can you !!!

[tiltman]

Bought my first mandolin at 35. Also playing for 5 years.
I'll never play like Chris Thiele or these guys who play a LOT of notes.
I play like me.
I enjoy it, sometimes other people do to.
Kirk

[Keith Erickson]

# # After reading here how long it might take to become proficent and retiring 2 years ago I have decided to put them back in there case and just watch TV I will trade them for good whiskey.

Hey Fred,

What's with the negative waves?

[fatt-dad]

I haven't been practicing that long and I play much better then everybody at work, the Boy Scout troop and fellow parisoners at church.

fatt there's-a-reason-I-don't-go-to-bluegrass-festivals dad

[Bob Denton]

The world has enough mandolin players and not enough drunk couch potatoes!

Go for it!

[johnwalser]

Fred,
I retired eleven years ago at age fifty and having played guitar and banjo for many years, I stumbled into mandolin six or seven years ago. Living out beyond what most people would consider to be the boonies at 7000 ft. up in the High Sierra mountains, TV is our main source of entertainment with Dish Network's bill over a hundred a month and a huge DVD library. My drink of choice is gin and tonic which I try to limit to a couple of times a week or more if company comes. But, retire from playing mandolin...are you nuts!! I play two to three hours daily and am still constantly learning new styles of music, working on embellishments and trying to make sounds somewhat approaching the pros. I finally play at a level where people no longer cover their ears whenever they see me approach or when I play at chapel, but I have found the journey to be a blast from "Ode to Joy" to where I am now. I play so much while watching television that my ever tolerant wife thinks the theme music for "CSI" is Sailor's Hornpipe. Lack of mental activity leads to spending your afternoons drooling in your recliner. We have a lot of retired folks up here and you can see the ones without interests (TV and whiskey do not count as activities) dry up and die, perhaps not ready to be put in the ground, but dead just the same. I hope to be called up yonder in the middle of an extended tremolo at the end of a perfectly played tune.
John

[JoeD]

You know Fred, I'll take the contrarian view. This stuff is supposed to be fun. If you don't love the mandolin, by all means find something that you can get passionate about. Life's too short to make yourself miserable struggling with something that doesn't make you happy.

Of course, if it's just a temporary bout of frustration, by all means, have a drink, take a break, and come back when you're fresher.

[mrmando]

Fred, I've got a bottle of Jameson's. What mandolins do you have?

[AlanN]

There was an elderly fellow who used to hit the monthly jam in Old Bridge, NJ. Riddled with arthritis, he actually had to glue a pick to his fingers to hold it. Could he play? Barely. Did he have fun with it? Absolutely.

[molecan]

Fred, I've got a bottle of Jameson's. What mandolins do you have?

Hey, he said he wanted GOOD whiskey.

Now, what's your preference Fred? Bourbon? Blends? ingle Malt? Highland or Islay?
(I know a hell of a lot more about whiskey than I do playing the mando, and am quite a bit better at it)

As far as I'm concerned, the only really high quality whiskey (not that a bit of Jameson isn't great over some ice) still coming out of the old sod is Green Spot, and good luck finding it outside of Eire and the UK.