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Thread: Reasons to avoid practicing

  1. #1
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Reasons to avoid practicing

    In my on going attempt to help newbies, and due to the recent success of thread on avoiding jam sessions, I thought I would start a similar thread on all the reasons we avoid practicing. There may be some similar reasons, no problem with overlap. Here, Ill start:

    I am too tired.

    I need my coffee first. Oh and some 'nilla wafers. Ooo, I didn't know we had any cheesecake.

    Look I jam once a week and I rehearse once a week with the band. I don't need to practice.

    What, practice scales and arpeggios? What for? I have yet to be asked to play a scale or an arpeggio at a jam or open mic.

    The family is watching TV I don't want to disturb them.

    I think Ill go out for a walk first.

    I am alone too much anyway, I don't need an activity that keeps me home and alone.


    So folks, why aren't you practicing?
    Last edited by JeffD; Mar-29-2017 at 1:47pm.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
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  2. #2
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I sound terrible, I can't stand it.


    I am good enough for what and where I play.


    I don't want to work at it, its called playing the mandolin after all.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

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  4. #3

    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Practicing is boring, and I'll never be as good as Thile/Monroe/Grisman/Marshall/etc...
    Soliver arm rested and Tone-Garded Northfield Model M with D’Addario NB 11.5-41, picked with a Wegen Bluegrass 1.4

  5. #4
    Registered User T.D.Nydn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    There are none whatsoever...

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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    My fingers hurt...
    Craig Mandola
    Mann SEM-5

  7. #6
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Quote Originally Posted by T.D.Nydn View Post
    There are none whatsoever...
    So... ummmm... why are you not practicing right now?

    - - - Updated - - -

    I don't have time to practice, given how much time I spend on Manolin Café.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

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  9. #7

    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    My strings need changing.
    Soliver arm rested and Tone-Garded Northfield Model M with D’Addario NB 11.5-41, picked with a Wegen Bluegrass 1.4

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    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I don't have any gigs lined up so I don't have anything I need to practice.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  11. #9
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I need to clean up my practice area and organize everything.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

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  13. #10
    Registered User T.D.Nydn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Quote Originally Posted by JeffD View Post
    So... ummmm... why are you not practicing right now?

    - - - Updated - - -

    I don't have time to practice, given how much time I spend on Manolin Café.
    I actually just finished,,and I'm ready to start again

  14. #11
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Quote Originally Posted by T.D.Nydn View Post
    I actually just finished,,and I'm ready to start again
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  15. #12

    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    it's in the case


    (this is sort of like jeopardy answers)


    What is, "it's in the case" ?

  16. #13
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I don't have the right chair. I need to get a better chair.

    I don't have the right music stand.

    I don't have the right instrument stand.

    The light here is no good.

    - - - Updated - - -

    The kids are asleep.


    The kids are awake.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

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  18. #14
    Registered User T.D.Nydn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    There's a big difference in not being able to do something,and avoiding to do something,to avoid is to keep away from or stopping yourself from doing something,or keeping away from danger or something undesirable,,,and I don't take that attitude toward my practicing,,I may not be able to always practice,,but I certainly don't avoid it..

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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    The dog howls when i practice.
    Craig Mandola
    Mann SEM-5

  20. #16
    Registered User foldedpath's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Can't find the fingernail file.

    I just changed the strings and don't want to wear them out before the next session/workshop/gig.

    The strings are worn out and I can't handle re-stringing today.

    We're out of (insert favorite chemical enhancement) and I'll have to listen to what I sound like sober.

    I will never figure out that one totally weird part in a four-part Scottish pipe tune, so why bother trying. Pipers are insane.

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  22. #17
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    So far no one has mentioned the number one reason not to practice, which I constantly ignore in favor of practicing: I'm supposed to be working. Considering that I'm better at my job than I am at the mandolin, I probably ought to work more and practice less. But it's not as fun, and I'm more than halfway to the finish line, so hell with it, I'm practicing. Thank God for working at home most says, and for work avoidance songs: I Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow; Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms; etc.

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  24. #18
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    I justify working instead of practicing only because work keeps me in mandolins.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  25. #19
    Confused... or?
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Quote Originally Posted by JeffD View Post
    ... Ooo, I didn't know we had any cheesecake.
    Need I say more?
    - Ed

    "Then one day we weren't as young as before
    Our mistakes weren't quite so easy to undo
    But by all those roads, my friend, we've travelled down
    I'm a better man for just the knowin' of you."
    - Ian Tyson

  26. #20
    Registered User sblock's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Because I already happen to be playing right this minute in: a gig, a jam session, a recording session, a lesson, on the street, etc.

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  28. #21
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Nobody plays in those keys anyway.


    There is no money above the [pick a number] fret anyway.


    Its almost dinner time.


    The NCIS marathon this weekend.


    Game of Thrones dude, need we say more.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  29. #22
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    What difference could it make. I started too late.


    Who am I kidding, Ill never sound as good as Chris Thile.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  30. #23
    F5G & MD305 Astro's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    But funny how easy it is for me to practice when I have paperwork I need to do.
    No matter where I go, there I am...Unless I'm running a little late.

  31. #24
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

    Quote Originally Posted by Astro View Post
    But funny how easy it is for me to practice when I have paperwork I need to do.
    Yes. I heard from a guitar teacher that March and part of April are big practice times because people are procrastinating doing their tax returns.

    - - - Updated - - -

    I have to do my taxes.

    I have to clean under the bed, look at those dust bunnies.

    I have to vacuum.

    I have to mow lawn.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  32. #25
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    Default Re: Reasons to avoid practicing

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