Procrastination.. The Steel Player's Major Tripwire

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

I've mentioned in the past, the pebble in the shoe, and other assorted annoyances. Somehow procrastination with its accompanying "tripwire", was windrowed with other pertinent data to the side of the road. Resorting to willpower in the wake of procrastination, could swing the pendulum in favor of advancing musically, to new levels of achievement. It would be interesting to learn of others who may have experienced the tripwires of procrastination.

P Gleespen · From: Toledo, OH USA

You took the words right out of my mouth.
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Patrick

Bill Myrick · From: Pea Ridge, Ar. (deceased)

Wish I'd Said That !! Cool

Barry Blackwood · Posted 2 Feb 2007 7:57 am

I trip on that wire almost daily .....

Larry Robbins · From: Fort Edward, New York

Ill have to keep back to you on that, that is, when I get around to it.
Rolling Eyes

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Twang to the bone!

Buck Reid · From: Nashville,TN

Bill,I always enjoy your post's. The antidote for me when I find myself becoming moribund is to try an learn something I know I can't play. It takes will power - yes! However the feeling of accomplishment when you finally understand something new,create's enthusiasum not unlike that of when we first started learning how to play. Of course this is nothing new and may sound elementary but it works. Hope it helps someone else. Smile

Mark Edwards · From: Weatherford,Texas, USA

Ah that swinging pendulum!!!

Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

Every time I sit down at my steel I feel like my fingers are on 10 tripwires just waiting to trigger some clamgranades.

C. Christofferson · Posted 2 Feb 2007 10:24 am

B, If the P word is, for a moment, considered as the effect then it might be worth a casual look for the cause(s). No one paragraph is ever going to nail it cause every one is different. If one is really busy with many other responsibilities then its not P at all, it's simply not having the time. If one could be practicing but finds other things to do instead then it may be because of subtle negativities which are commonly repressed. For example, subtle depression, futility and the like. These negativities that are generated by the brain and hang with us are never our fault and dont indicate anything wrong with us at all. They are the result of all the useless garbage, not based on reality, that a lost society has crammed into us since day one.
For me, this weeks nudge out of the illusory bondage of these false task masters came from watching Tommy White's solo piece !

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Dave Van Allen · From: Souderton, PA , US , Earth

I've always looked at procrastination as a time management tool.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

It would be impossible to bring attention to the hundreds of procrastinations that so many can relate to, if they so choose. For example, picture yourself driving at the speed limit on a damp road. A driver in a small truck approaching from the opposite direction, whips his vehicle sharply into your lane, misjudging distances. The inner voice had reminded you to be watchful, for careless drivers earlier, but procrastination ruled, resulting in a near disaster. By assuming a more defensive approach and simply driving a little slower, can save the day. Chucking habitual procrastination in the music room is a worthwhile endeavor, and success as a player of the steel guitar, depends mostly, on the changes of attitude.

A. J. Schobert · From: Cincinnati, Ohio,

So is your pendulm on a down swing? That is normally the best time to buy a new guitar.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Dave Van Allen,

When I first met you in the Berkshires, I wasted no time in determining that you are a brilliant family man, and steel guitarist. Your patient and polite demeanor reflects immediately, how you've progressed to your level of playing steel guitar. You were as cool as they come, playing beside Buzz Evans, and Randy Rollman from nearby New York State. Dick Clark's supported American Music Foundation hosted the MASSBASH, in Lenox, MA, a few years ago, where you performed, as you know. I am aware of your capabilities while reading your writings on this forum, and the brevity of your response, reinforces the "Tripwire" theme. You have traveled and performed at various steel guitar shows, and for that, in this jungle of procrastinations, it seems likely you've had experiences that would support the premise of this thread.

Tony Smart · From: Harlow. Essex. England

"the tripwires of procrastination."

Is that anything like "the quagmires of constipation"
i.e. Why put off till tomorrow what you can't do today?

Just a thought....

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

C. Christofferson, I like the way you think.

Yesterday started off with breaking a third string. That ended that session. I now have a new string, if I can just get around to putting it on.
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Luke Morell · From: Ramsey Illinois, USA Hometown of Tex Williams

Procrastination? GUILTY Embarassed

Bill Duve · From: Limestone .New York, USA

Bill H.....
If I am even partly certain of anything in this uncertain world its that when im procrastinating about practicing steel your posts will be the thing to boot me out of it, Like its tax time and I have 2 unfinished jobs hanging out there in sub zero weather worrying me and the heater quit in the truck and I dont wanna turn on the amp and make the dog upstairs howl so I turn on this gizzy thing instead and then along comes good ol Bill H and makes me laugh at it all and im right back at it, Whats more important anyway ?....
Steel of course..... Rolling Eyes

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bill D.,

Taking charge of any situation is the first step to successfully turn a liability into an asset. Allowing major distractions to take you away from your music, is not conducive to much needed practice. Lack of energy can be at the root of a tendency to procrastinate. Some day jobs leave workers totally drained and the steel guitar is the last thing on their minds. Then there are those who have energy reserves,
by working part time, and booking gigs to replenish their larders. How a player is situated financially, plays a huge role in regular practice sessions. Some, more than others, manage to put aside a few chores, and return to practice.

C. Christofferson · Posted 3 Feb 2007 5:07 pm

A rough quote "You reap according to what you...something something..."
p.s. thx 4 the kind words.

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Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

C.C.,

You've no doubt heard someone say: he must be doing something right, just listen to him play. There are those with the supposed ability to judge individuals at the first glance: women, children, and dogs. - Arnold Bennett. Come to think of it, there was a toy black poodle, named "muffins", that spent hours sidling up to my practice sessions. Not to be confused with a surefire method of judgment by our peers. Once getting over the wave of enticement, that sweeps over the average steel guitarist upon hearing: B.E., L.G., J.H., P.F., etc., play their steel guitars, he or she stalls momentarily, while groping with dreams to emulate those players. Slipping into the audio induced trance, slows down our confidence, that could inhibit
our ability to maintain a steady course, to possibly approach musical levels far beyond our dreams. Tidying up, and avoiding that which detracts from routine
practice sessions, could form the link to desired goals. As always,
the tripwires of procrastination, remain as the leading cause of a cessation in making steady progress of learning how to play steel guitar.

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

Definitely one of things I have to struggle against...

I used to be an amateur crastinator.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Mark Van Allen,

You must be familiar with the trite expression: "Haste, makes waste." The sayer of the cliche', must have been concentrating on breakage, or work done unsatisfactorily. Rushing about, and exiting the home in a mad rush, will also create unforeseen delays. Keys are misplaced, buttons "pop", zippers get snagged, gloves find a new hiding place, and last minute phone calls occur frequently the moment you open the door. The ability to pace oneself is an art.
Allow extra time to avoid last minute rushes, invariably eliminating the obstacles of everyday living. Above all, as a steel enthusiast, try not to get crowded out of regular practice, by recognizing procrasination while away from the music room.

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Bill, I have a lot to say about procrastination... but I'll get back to you later on that. Right now I need to make some coffee, see what's on TV, surf the internet, think about what I'm going to do tomorrow, etc. Things will work out fine.

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Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Doug B.,

Yikes! Not another ho-hum attitude!
Just kidding... Doug, but the thought of infirmity, does register a whole series of latent concerns. Flippancy clashes with procrastination, just as sure as looking at the sky, will cause your toe to hook the tripwire. "Look before you leap", and all that good stuff, will narrow down the chances of spending too much time in bed. Better to roll out, and get set for practice.

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