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Thread: Reasons to avoid practicing

  1. #101

    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I am hard-wired for oppositional behavior whenever faced with the word "practice". Like when I was 8 years old and my mother (bless her) would tell me, "I'd better hear you practicing that piano for the next 45 minutes or else!". Which of course I would try any possible excuses or distractions to avoid doing

    So it's important that I never practice now that I'm allegedly grown up. No need to cause myself mental anguish.

    What I do instead is I'll go "play", eight bars of a tune at 3/4 speed with a metronome for 20 minutes. Or do closed position scale patterns on the higher frets for a few minutes at a time. Not "practice" though, that's miserable. Just playing something until I can play it better.

    My wife used to refer to that as "practicing" until I explained the proper terminology. So now she calls it "messing around with that tune until it sounds right" which is pretty good compromise lingo, I think.
    The first man who whistled
    thought he had a wren in his mouth.
    He went around all day
    with his lips puckered,
    afraid to swallow.

    --"The First" by Wendell Berry

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  3. #102
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Tennis elbow - but hang on, it's gone away...

  4. #103
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I don't need to practice. I just spent a half hour noodling.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
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  5. #104
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Look, I am willing to accept limited significant forward progress in order to binge watch all of Grace and Frankie.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  6. #105
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    How can you think of mandolin practice when there are so many incorrect postings on Facebook.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  7. #106
    Registered User lowtone2's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    My band mates are mediocre players so I don't want to play too well and make them feel bad.

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  9. #107
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Look at this place. I have got to clean up / straighten up. Who can practice in this chaos. No wonder I have not been motivated in so long.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

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  11. #108
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Mandolin went through the dang washing machine again, I keep telling my wife to check the pockets, sheesh!
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    "Mean Old Timer, He's got grey hair, Mean Old Timer he just don't care
    Got no compassion, thinks its a sin
    All he does is sit around an play the Mandolin"

  12. #109
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    You know I was thinking about this more in the sense of "why do we play".
    Someone (who I have since kept my distance from) once asked me- "why do you play music, nothing will ever come of it", which to me is a very ignorant perspective.
    I play music first and foremost -because I like to. I could spend years ( and I have) learning a tune, only to perform it to myself and to my own liking. That's not to say I don't play music in public or with others, I do, but that is not the primary reason I practice.
    I practice because practicing is playing and I like to play.
    Stormy Morning Orchestra

    My YouTube Channel

    "Mean Old Timer, He's got grey hair, Mean Old Timer he just don't care
    Got no compassion, thinks its a sin
    All he does is sit around an play the Mandolin"

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  14. #110
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Quote Originally Posted by tmsweeney View Post
    I practice because practicing is playing and I like to play.
    I think this sums it up pretty well. It helps remove the stigma associated with the term in the mind that fosters an attitude which equates "practice" with "work."

    That said, I don't practice because it leads my mind into endless thought problems and mind games which bring me down a rabbit hole where my sense of purpose and self-esteem and the very existence of the point of living are called into question, facing insurmountable doubt: How have I let myself waste so much time and money and effort on something that will never amount to more than a few moments' enjoyment now and then? Yeah, who needs that? I'm good with my skill level.

    OK, I'm kidding - mostly - I think, but I can sure see how someone could feel that way.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

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  15. #111
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Here’s an excuse that always works:
    -I can’t possibly practice right now. It’s 3:30 in the morning.

    (Never mind where. It’s 3:30 in the morning… somewhere)

  16. #112
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I had a legitimate reason today. About midnight last night I got up and on my way, through the house, I stepped on something in a doorway so I bet over to pick it up. Reaching down my fingernail hit the door jamb. Well, it hurt. So, I think I will skip practice today. Yep got a splinter so big under my nail it literally went past the nail and into the finger. I have a picture if anyone needs proof. No blood so no need to worry. But the finger is a bit sore.
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Oh, now! It's only one finger. Don't let that stop you! Tough it out! Push through the pain!

    Or not. Take a break. Tomorrow is another day. These are reasons to avoid practicing, after all.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

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  19. #114
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

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    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

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  21. #115
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Yeah, OK. That's a valid reason. Ouch!

    Wait - is that your fretting hand or picking hand?

    Never mind. Take off as long as you want. Heal up fast and well. And ... Yikes!
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

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  23. #116
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Fretting hand and today you would never know it happened. No pain at all, maybe just a bit numb in a spot or two on the nail but the fingertip feels fine, and looking at it if you didn't know the stake to kill Dracula was shoved under it you couldn't tell. I don't think I have ever had an injury heal in less than two days. Weird. But I'm not complaining. I'll practice several times today to make up for it!
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

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  25. #117
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Quote Originally Posted by John Bertotti View Post
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    Ouch! That sliver must've just snuck in between the layers. Lucky you!
    Just keep an eye out for secondary infection.

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  27. #118
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I gave it a good witch hazel soak but it was a rude awakening at midnight when I was half asleep. Weirdest splinter I ever got a bit of pain but I have stunned a toe worse and today you would never know it happened! But it was a good reason to miss one day. I have no excuse for today other than, well I’ll think of something.
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

  28. #119
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I am not going to practice because I am only going to hurt myself in some other activity, woodworking, motorcycle, something, and not be able to play, making practicing now irrelevant and a waste of time.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

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  30. #120
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Hahaha I'm stealing that one when the time arrives!
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

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  32. #121
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    JeffD, I think you've hit upon the universally acceptable reason/excuse. Your future self will surely thank your present self for being so considerate, looking out for its welfare.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

  33. #122
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I got a bad paper cut on my left pinkie.

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  35. #123
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    The worst! I’ve had paper cuts that hurt worse than any splinter or larger injury! I suggest a week off and a pain killer of your choice. Mine is a couple inuprophen and a hard cider. But you may find after that you can practice!
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

  36. #124
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I just don't wanna!!!
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

  37. #125
    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I practiced last month.

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