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I thought he made some great points. The topic title is one.
So much is true. Maybe theres something here of interest. Alot about aocial media comparisons and such. Nothing instrument specific.
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I agree!
...so much so, I posted it (same video) 4 days ago (Burning Out from Violin Stress Thread). 😔
Just having fun with you. 😊 This IS A SERIOUS subject.
Like I eluded to in the other thread, I think a discussion on 'comparison' is worthwhile. I believe there's a healthy AND unhealthy way to view/use 'comparison'.
I feel it's unhealthy to compare my sense of worth or potential to anyone for judgment, but healthy to use comparison as a learning experience - seeing how people do things differently & finding how their whole perspective may differ (from mine) help me discover new pathways, grow.
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"...I feel it's unhealthy to compare my sense of worth or potential to anyone for judgment, but healthy to use comparison as a learning experience - seeing how people do things differently & finding how their whole perspective may differ (from mine) help me discover new pathways, grow. "
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There's been some good (and recent) discussions on thesession.org - about sessions & problems that can arise. Yeah, I can see there has to be rules once people get playing together. Orchestra playing may be strict with ground rules, but it sure sounds like some 'trad' Irish sessions are just as strict!
BUT...if we truly are only playing for ourselves.. in a solo environment...why do we care? Can we not just play and do that till we get the sound we want without comparing to anothers version of some tune?
I don't ever see a problem with people claiming 'their' version playing ANY music - nothing wrong with doing your own 'thing'!
Think I compare versions & artists because I'm in a 'state of learning' - exploring musical ideas, relationships within/between tunes, techniques & trying to solve problems that arise in the process. 🤔... think it's to help me determine how I fit with learning a tune. Jeez, I've been totally swept off my feet by hearing ONE particular version (and I need all the motivation I can muster)! Yeah, I'd die without the internet, it's my equivalent of finding buried treasure! ...doesn't mean I won't modify what I hear, it depends - but then it's MY VERSION.
Sorry, I've said all this before.
So, on the other hand - why DO we care what others think of our playing? Delving into the psyche! 😖 I can't speak for anyone else, but think I'm more self-conscious about other things than my playing - at least it's on a path of improvement, which seems to be more than I can say about the rest of my life, at the moment. I'm not trying to fit in on a session or in an orchestra, though - different story.
...would love to hear other people's experiences/thoughts on this.
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i think recording is important. NOT to share and not as a production. but to gauge reality and such. Record and listen back later and not right then and make changes as needed for the desired sound.
As and additional thought..
Why is there a need to show progress? Its music and for some.. it may be like an evening walk... or a crossword.. or watching a movie.
...so much so, I posted it (same video) 4 days ago (Burning Out from Violin Stress Thread). 😔
sorry @elcbk i cant keep track of all the videos youve shared. if there is that requirement then the conversations are gonna be limited...🤣 it becomes...oop yup already shared that one bqck in 2023.. although 4 days is recent... looking over it all the video seems to be a stand alone topic so ill keep it here...
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Recording is important because it is merciless.
Why progress? Easy - some music is harder than other music , and you need to progress to play the harder music well.
Andrew
Verified human - the ignominy!
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but why is there a need to use a measuring stick so to speak to prove that progress? As a natural progression in ability due to playing isnt it possible to eventually play more difficult music. IF a person is aware of their own ability and needs? why recording oneself is so important...
It just seems that people put alot on themselves that shouldnt be there. Like. i must get from point A to point B in this amount of time in this method or way and play as good as someone who started at the same time as me or like that other person or all this is useless
..That, to me, is not the best approach.
obviously music doesnt happen by osmosis or some magical spark... Its attention along with play.. If enough focus is mixed in with just playing, i think the person doing this with less than jam session or orchestral goals can progress.
Sorry..another edit below.. hqving to do this a piece at a time...
There's been some good (and recent) discussions on thesession.org - about sessions & problems that can arise. Yeah, I can see there has to be rules once people get playing together. Orchestra playing may be strict with ground rules, but it sure sounds like some 'trad' Irish sessions are just as strict!
i hqvent seen anything lately.. but yeah im sure. Whenever we have a new person the leader will lay out some rules/expectations in a very tactful way. Its after a welcome and discussion of who where from kind of thing.
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Well, I am going to go out in a limb here. I wasn't going to comment. I am not watching the videos, so I have not watched the video. Therefore, I might not be on the exact topic.
I think progressing is relative. I think it depends on what the person playing wants to achieve. Me? I just have fun. I am not interested in constantly playing something that is harder, simply because it pushes me. If I can find an easy version of a piece that I like the version of vs a harder one, with things that I can't do, or have no interest in doing, I will do the easier. If the simpler version is too simple, I might try to combine the two,
If I like a piece, but it is just a tad beyond me, I will give it a go, for that piece, not because I just want to spend my time constantly struggling. Just because I like the piece. When it becomes not fun, and just a struggle, I am done.
I am not into comparing myself to others. I might say, "I wish I could do that". I am not comparing, though, just wishful thinking. I am happy with where I am at. Some people learned at an earlier age, some older people just have a better musical background and knowledge, more time, etc, For what I am doing, I am good. I enjoy listening to all of you, who are way beyond me, but there is no comparison, as far as my thinking goes. I have many interests, and I split my time. Cards, machine knitting, sewing, reading, and my instruments. I also have some math books that I have fun with, occasionally.
It is kind of hard to explain, because, I am not saying that I do not want to broaden my horizons and be able to play harder pieces, but I do know my limits, and what I want to do. I am just having fun, I am not looking for an orchestra, not fond of orchestra pieces, frankly. I am not looking to play a piece that some fiddler who has been playing for decades, whether trained or not, can play, at speed. I might play it slower at my speed, and to me, that is a success. I am not looking to play in front of people.
All this, also, plays in what people think is "progressing". Maybe progressing is just being able to have fun, maybe progressing is making things constantly harder for yourself. It depends on what the "progressor" is looking for. I have pretty much plateaued, and I am good with that. Would I like to play more difficult pieces? I am not aiming towards it. If I come across one, give it a good try and it is just too far beyond my abilities, that is fine. I am having fun.
At my age, to me, that is what I am after. In my younger years, "progressing" would have meant something completely different. Comparison would most likely be a big part. I think the comparison, in earlier years, would probably have been brought about by instructors doing the comparing. For me, now, I just enjoy it, no, stresses.
Like I said, this might not be what this discussion is actually about, if so, sorry, 😂😂😂.
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Learn Violin and Fiddle
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@mouse and what you say is what i think but have a hard time expressing i guess. I was wanting to bring this type of beginner or even ones with more time with an instrument in. Theres something refreshing or easy when i sit down and just play. im not thinking about i need to really learn A, B, C before next week because theres an event or meeting...etc.
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@ABitRusty This is an excellent thread. I like that it is actual discussion. Like I said, I did not watch the one video, but the discussion from it is very interesting. Thanks.
Anyone else have any thoughts? We would love to read your POV? Lurking members, sign in and join in. Lurking guests, sign up and join in.
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Learn Violin and Fiddle
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Good video - got to run your own race 
Characterize people by their actions and you will never be fooled by their words.
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I practice and progress because I still cannot play well enough to not annoy myself.
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Sasha said
I practice and progress because I still cannot play well enough to not annoy myself.
That pressure, and self awareness of ones playing is a lifetime process. I don't think there is a person on this earth that is 100% satisfied with their playing all the time. I know that if I ever listened to a recording of myself, even at my best moments when my chops were great, I was annoyed. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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