Tucson Tom and the Banjo - 2024 to present
My Goodtime 2 has been hanging on the wall for pretty much 10 years.
I have it hung on the wall because of a suggestion that if you can
just grab the banjo when you feel the urge, you will practice more.
If you have to get the banjo out of the closet, carry it somewhere and
pull it out of the case (and then put it away later) that sets up
obstacles to impulsive practice. Another option (for some people
perhaps) would be to just leave it laying on a chair.
So after a 10 year hiatus, I am diving in again. It is worth reflecting
back on why I set it aside the first time.
- I was too busy back then.
- I was too hard on myself.
- I had unrealistic expectations.
Now I am retired, and for the most part if I want to spend all day practicing
the banjo, there is nothing in my way. I also have different views about
the following.
- I must practice daily
- I need to keep practice fun
- I need to let things happen at their own speed
- I should expect to suck and make noise and mistakes
- I need to set short term achievable goals.
The jury is still out as to whether I will get involved with lessons.
The main reason to do so would be to catch and correct bad habits before
they get ingrained.
An important mindset is that I will have to teach myself how to play,
and any lessons are just sort of course corrections in that process.
Have any comments? Questions?
Drop me a line!
Tom's home page / tom@mmto.org