I am practicing a lot and seem to hit a wrong note about 2 or 3 times in a song is this normal or should I strive for perfection
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How many mistakes do you make on average per set, song ?
- Thread starter Huw Phillips
- Start date
It’s normal when first starting out or learning something new. But don’t fall into the trap of being too easy on yourself either. Strive to be the best you can be.
I make a couple mistakes every song, and a couple more for every song I've let slip a little bit. The real trick is to lower your threshold for 'mistake' so that what you consider a mistake isn't detectable to anyone but you.
It's real easy for me to let my mind wander a little bit and when that happens all bets are off for a flawless tune, but songs I know real well are muscle memoried in so it's hard for people to notice the small stuff.
It's real easy for me to let my mind wander a little bit and when that happens all bets are off for a flawless tune, but songs I know real well are muscle memoried in so it's hard for people to notice the small stuff.
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The goal is to reach a point where you know the material so well, both note for note, and in terms of the underlying theory and style, that your mistakes are swallowed up by The depths of your mastery.
that requires
that requires
- Playing the tune a lot
- Learning many similar tunes
- Practicing the basics
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In a performance setting, one or two minor flubs in a set might be OK, but 2 of 3 wrong notes in every tune would probably trigger an existential crisis.
In a practice setting, that is where any number of mistakes is OK provided the number is commensurate with the work already done - i.e. you are improving - and you then go back and work them through. The only thing tolerance will do is allow mistakes to pass from practice to performance.
YMMV
In a practice setting, that is where any number of mistakes is OK provided the number is commensurate with the work already done - i.e. you are improving - and you then go back and work them through. The only thing tolerance will do is allow mistakes to pass from practice to performance.
YMMV
There are no mistakes, only happy little accidents.
Don't worry! As you get better and better, your threshold for what you call a mistake lowers - as a beginner you would call it a mistake if you played the wrong note at the wrong time. When you've progressed some, you call it a mistake when you play the right note at the right time, but with the wrong attack - so you'll never play a perfect set
Don't worry! As you get better and better, your threshold for what you call a mistake lowers - as a beginner you would call it a mistake if you played the wrong note at the wrong time. When you've progressed some, you call it a mistake when you play the right note at the right time, but with the wrong attack - so you'll never play a perfect set
There are no mistakes, only happy little accidents.
Don't worry! As you get better and better, your threshold for what you call a mistake lowers - as a beginner you would call it a mistake if you played the wrong note at the wrong time. When you've progressed some, you call it a mistake when you play the right note at the right time, but with the wrong attack - so you'll never play a perfect set
Flubs vs. Eff-ups!
I never count, and neither do my band mates
Just keep playing and never let the audience notice
Duke
Just keep playing and never let the audience notice
Duke
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
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- I privately own and operate a local musical instument repair shop.
I may have played two or three perfect sets in 30 years. An average night with my newgrass/jamband gig, I'll play at least a couple clams each set. But that stuff is seat-of-the-pants anyway. Probably I'm the only one who knows. I strive to play the best I can every single time though, that's the goal. I still take chances, because playing on the edge is where the fun happens.
*Studio experiences are a lot different. I'm nuts over little things in there.
*Studio experiences are a lot different. I'm nuts over little things in there.
if you make a real faux pas, do it again a few times. People will think it is part of the song. That’s what Eddie used to say.
Back in grade 11 or 12, I was playing tuba in high school classical band. We went to provincial competition. Other tuba player was a virtuoso. Before the recital, the teacher/conductor took me a side and gave me recommandation: “if you are not sure about the notes, just move your fingers but don’t blow in the instrument”. I followed his advice. We won first price. Everyone was hugging after the performance. Back in the bus we went, gloriously riding on our high. We even stopped to get a poutine and a coke. The teacher was that happy!
Playing bass with my buddies in a power trio of incompetent and happy youngsters making tons of mistakes was a lot more fun.
Back in grade 11 or 12, I was playing tuba in high school classical band. We went to provincial competition. Other tuba player was a virtuoso. Before the recital, the teacher/conductor took me a side and gave me recommandation: “if you are not sure about the notes, just move your fingers but don’t blow in the instrument”. I followed his advice. We won first price. Everyone was hugging after the performance. Back in the bus we went, gloriously riding on our high. We even stopped to get a poutine and a coke. The teacher was that happy!
Playing bass with my buddies in a power trio of incompetent and happy youngsters making tons of mistakes was a lot more fun.
A good friend of mine always used to say – in Jazz – it's called "playing outside!".
Sink or Swim. Trial by fire. Mistakes are opportunities . Don't make a big deal out of something nobody else notices or cares much about.
After all these years I’m still trying to play a song without making a flub
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
You strive for perfection, you never will get there.
Remember, the more you care, the more you will hear mistakes no one else will, in anything you do. A number of years ago, I built a large built in bookcase in our house. I've received many compliments on how wonderful it looks. When I look at it, I see all the imperfections.
Remember, the more you care, the more you will hear mistakes no one else will, in anything you do. A number of years ago, I built a large built in bookcase in our house. I've received many compliments on how wonderful it looks. When I look at it, I see all the imperfections.
Frequently! I still strive for perfection, If you stuff up, and you will, keep playing, chances are no one will notice, and, of those that matter, they are probably too busy with their own stuff ups to notice, too. Never let a mistake get in the way of the rest of your performance.
How many mistakes do I make on average per set / per song?
Enough.
Enough.
in practice, it depends on what you are practicing...
are you practicing a new, unfamiliar technique? Perfection takes time and many, many -correct- repetitions.
if you are practicing repertoire, you should strive for zero. if zero is unattainable, you may be going too fast.
'An amateur practices a song until he can play it correctly; a pro practices until he cannot play it wrong.'
are you practicing a new, unfamiliar technique? Perfection takes time and many, many -correct- repetitions.
if you are practicing repertoire, you should strive for zero. if zero is unattainable, you may be going too fast.
'An amateur practices a song until he can play it correctly; a pro practices until he cannot play it wrong.'
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop ?..........two !
I was thinking of that exact quote. It's often attributed to Chick Corea.
