Well, it's been one year since I took delivery of my mando and what have I learned? First, having learned to tune it, hold it and get some kind of musical noise out of it Iv''e now got a few tunes under my belt that I'm not ashamed to perform in public. my ability to read music has increased tenfold and so has my learning by ear. I love the instrument, it's sound, it's feel in my hands and the way I can put light and shade into the tunes I play. On the downside. I bravely (foolishly?) decided to join in a high powered session at one of the major (UK) folk festivals and found out just how slow my playing was compared to what I thought it was. As a bit of an aside I met a visiting American player who said that "30 to 40 guys playing nearly non-stop very loudly and very fast with nobody seemingly in charge scared the cr*p out of him" So I wasn't alone. Speed is not a learning curve, it's a cliff face! Mostly, though, after a year I'm beginning to realise just how much I don't know but I find that with the continuing help and support of MC every day is learning day. Even if I don't post a lot, I read a lot here and the good humour and gentle wisdom to be found is a great solace to a newbie like me.
I am still enjoying my newbieness after four or five years. I think a lot of folks have made faster progress than I have and I know I am not ready to play many (if any) tunes "up to speed". But that's OK. I am having a fun journey with friends here in MC-land. And especially here in Newbie-land. ps: I think learning new stuff is the real fountain of youth. I know I feel younger than most of my peers. It's gotta be the mando.
I am still enjoying my newbieness too! I am not learning to play the mandolin to please or impress anybody. I am doing it because I enjoy it. If I try playing with somebody a lot better/faster, and can't keep up, I will just stop and listen.
I am a lifetime newbie and have no problem accepting that fact. I love music and enjoy playing - and even if nobody ever stops to listen, I will continue to play for as long as I am physically capable, or until I take a permanent dirt bath . . . whichever comes first. Listen, learn, practice, play and enjoy!
I'm a life long member as well. I have only 8000 more hours to go before becoming a Master Mandolin player. As long as you keep at it, keep enjoying it at the same time, then there's nothing better in my mind.
I too feel like I will be a newbie the rest of my life. I've come to the conclusion that the only person I want to be better than is me. If I practice a little every day maybe I can reach that goal.
I am a little late to this discussion but don't check in too often and rarely comment but thought I would mention how much I appreciate a thread like this from time to time. I also still consider myself a beginner after 3 or 4 years and it is good to hear that others are feel the same. I continue to improve, I still enjoy it and if I miss playing my mandolin for a day or two I feel bad. It is relaxing, it keeps my brain busy, and I am enjoying playing with some friends and some folks I don't know. That is all good stuff!! I have had folks ask me on more than one occasion if I was a musician when they see me with my case. I used to say "nope, trying to learn to play". My wife would smack me and say "you play music, you are a musician!" She is correct and I have since changed my answer. "Yes, yes I am a musician....I am just not a very good one!" I still get the smack! Have never done the monthly tune but may just do that this month as I somewhat know Red Haired Boy. Thanks for this thread as well as the other informative threads! Gene
Yes, it's refreshing to read that others still consider themselves newbies even after 3 or 4 years....I look forward to still being a newbie in 4 or 5 years. I practice every day and the learning curve in front of me looks like a very tall one. Glad to hear I'm not alone. Maybe festivals should have a "Slow Zone" so us newbies can play at a nice slow pace and not feel over whelmed.... Thanks !!