Motivational Skills Leading To Practice Sessions

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Each time that I become somewhat remiss and disinterested in keeping motivated to play at home, the thought of loosing the values jars my senses. For my part, there are a least a dozen or so areas that spark and rekindle the enthusiasm that once kept me seated in practice. I would enjoy reading about the variables and differences, and how players respond to any lessening of interests.

Gary Anderson · From: Fort Mohave, Arizona, USA

Not real sure what you said, but watching a live country band with a steel guitar
makes me want to go home and practice.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

I believe that one of the wise decisions to make in the learning process, is to set the sights on a favorite melody, and stick with the practice on that one instrumental. After a time, it should give in to a constant effort made by the steel player.

Scott Hiestand · From: MA, U.S.A

When I start to go stale, which happens more than I would care to admit, switching up my style of music, or put more succinctly, practicing or soloing to a style of music I normally wouldn't play steel to can set the juices flowing again. But....I have to "love" that style (or song), otherwise that "spark" still won't be there.

I just experienced this the other day. Normally what I love to sit down and play is straight ahead ("traditional") Country. But something possessed me to try and solo to a "break" (lead guitar in this case) in a song by the Dandy Warhol's. Hardly Country! Popped on the delay pedal and have been having a ball for 3 nights now. I'm not sure how much of a better player doing this type of thing will ultimately make me, but I feel a new sense of freedom and exhileration....and that's the main point to me.

Rick Collins · From: Claremont , CA USA

In home practice take a vacation from playing often, being mindful you must return to practice without excuses.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Rick,

Melodies that feature differences that will allow the memory to "kick" in, rather than develop a blase' feeling from exposures to sameness and forgetfulness, may be worth consideration, in building a healthy repertoire.

Brian Kurlychek · From: Maine, USA

I am interested to know the dozen or so that spark and rekindle. I wonder if it is a commonality.
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b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

I usually need a gig to work towards. I don't like to fail in public, so I practice in private to get my parts down pat.
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Alan Harrison · From: Murfreesboro Tennessee, USA

I have never had a problem being motivated to practice or play, even for my own amusement. I play about 3 to 4 hours every day and never seem to get tired of it. That sound is something I just never get tired of reaching for. "So Many Songs And So Little Time."
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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I will practice a lot when gigs or projects are in front of me, I guess that is the driving force of motivation. Lately I have spent almost no time on the Steel, I am on guitar 100% with the band so my practice time goes there, if there is any time left over it goes to the new Dobro I bought.

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Jerome Hawkes · From: Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA

i would start making a list of the REASONS you are not interested anymore - sometimes coming at it from that angle is the real solution.
it could be you think your playing is stale, tone is bad, you arent making progress, or you dont like the band your in, the songs, etc. - it could just be burn out if you've played the same stuff for 10+ years.
it might not even be music related - could be the economy, health, personal - the list could stretch for pages.
there is usually something that is the trigger to get you motivated when you can dial in what is lacking.

i went through this on mandolin, which i had played for 15 years in a bluegrass band..ha, the funny thing was that when i sat down to figure out why i didnt care to play anymore, it was that i was sort of shoved into the mandolin cause that was what all the bands i played in needed....i never really liked the instrument, felt limited by it and so never put much effort into it, my love was always the pedal steel and so....here i am, and i cant believe the motivation i have - its actually TOO MUCH...it was a beautiful weekend and all i wanted to do was sit in the house and play!....of course, i have a new steel
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Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Brian,

A reduction in commonalities due to the lack of mechanical skills on a large scale reduces the number of incentives considerably. Keeping the steel guitar in each household in good working order, conceivably accounts for several spiralling episodes or stints of practice sessions that ultimately leads to the desire to practice. Simple reasoning is a very potent method of keeping the steel guitar near the front of scheduled activities. Pursuing any idea that may result in a better performance, is a commonality that tends to be a pleasurably mindful, and stimulating experience.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Jerome,

I appreciate the responses that are forthcoming in the interest of sharing the adaptations that have proven to be quite effective among other players from coast to coast. To say that we know that the steel guitar is a tough instrument to master, is a definite understatement. There really is no need to stress fully the effort required in actually accomplishing the task of reaching full versatility. Those who have taken the challenge in stride soon learn that all roads leading to success, may become winding and difficult to progress through. Would you agree that the road to upper levels of playing is long and one requiring much practice?

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

b0b,

I've heard those dreaded stories about players who get it right at home, and then come apart during performances that are scrutinized by a room full of steel guitarists. How do you know for sure that everything will go smoothly?

Pete Finney · From: Nashville Tn.

Bill, you recently started a thread called:

Bo Legg · Posted 16 Jun 2009 4:03 pm

I didn't say nothing!

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Pete F.,

I checked for verbatim, and sure enough you've misquoted me. In the first place, I don't hate! I'm not a hater of anything. I have an aversion for spiders and snakes, but as far as hating, no. I admire you even more than I once did. Many people who know you say "you're a good man", and the sources are very reliable. I'll bet that if we met, you could see very quickly that I enjoy many of the same things in music and recreation that you enjoy.

Pete Finney · From: Nashville Tn.

The only words I quoted at all were the title of your thread, there is NO misquotation in my post (and I'm pretty sure you know that, but that's a different thread). Would it be too much to expect you to actually respond to what I said instead of changing the subject?

The relevant words by Mr. Hankey from the thread in question:

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Pete,

I have a few heroes in my life. People who have reached out farther than one might believe is possible. The Peavey amp in question was a gift from a steel player whose diabetes has made him wheelchair bound. He still owns a 3x4 single ten Dekley, plus various amps. I've played through an early Fender with $100 perfectly matched tubes. There is a big difference in that setup, when compared to the Peavey 500. I'd prefer to believe that it's 6 of one and a half dozen of the other. I try not to commit to statements that may at a later date be misconstrued.

Pete Finney · From: Nashville Tn.

Bill, if you want to use an amp for ten years that doesn't sound good to you that's obviously your business. But you have not been misquoted, it's clearly a fact. No big deal...

But knowing that sure does give everyone an undeniable perspective on all of your other posts...

Tommy Shown · From: Denham Springs, La.

Bill, there have been times I have felt the same way, then all of a sudden, I'll get to thinking that if I do not practice then my skills could and would detiorate. To the point where I would sound like when I first started out playing.
Tommy

Tom Quinn · Posted 16 Jun 2009 6:35 pm

Don't practice songs, practice the instrument. Music is in the head and heart, technique in the body. With the exception of set-piece music such as classical pieces, most decent musicians will tell you they haven't a clue what they will play until they actually play it.
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Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Pete,

My last response is missing. The one I made before retiring for the night. This sleepyhead could easily forget to enter the message. As for making adjustments on the "STERIO CHORUS 400", I'll consult with an expert in the near future to learn if the overall delivery can be improved upon by making a series of adjustments. There are many features found in the amp that are missing in lesser quality amps. Its maximum volume has never been required. (What a waste), and the reverb is more than satisfactory. The Peavey sold for nearly double the price of the majority of selected amps during the eighties. I'm thinking that many steel playing week-end warriors purchased amps in the $400.00 range, while the CHORUS was priced much higher... nearly doubling the price. What's not to like? Seriously, I've tried several amps, just checking for special deliveries, and I'm really not aware of any PEAVEYS that exceed the TONE of the CHORUS 400. If I may conclude by saying, dressing up the best that PEAVEY can deliver calls for a trailer load of effects. Remove all of the effects right down to plugging straight into amp, that's where I'm at. It's becoming very rare to see anyone playing steel without effects beside their volume pedal.

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