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Hey Id definitely love to hear about how greatly improved as a musician? I picked up an instrument in my 20s and I feel like am plataeuing (I love playing the

Hey Id definitely love to hear about how greatly improved as a musician? I picked up an instrument in my 20s and I feel like am plataeuing (I love playing the instrument and I love practising - and not just the easy stuff). The feeling is more about "so what now". How do you get past that existential question?

IAmGraydon 9y ago
As a musician in my mid 30s, I would say the most liberating thing was realizing that there’s a difference between being really good at an instrument and being a good musician. No amount of practicing your instrument will make you a good musician. For that, you must expand your sonic palette and write more. Go on Craigslist, get 3 used instruments that you have no idea how to play, bring them home and figure out how to make a song with them. That is how you continue to grow as a musician.
acjohnson55 9y ago
Do you take lessons? I think that finding a halfway-decent teacher is by far the best way to improve at playing an instrument. Take it from someone who has done a lot self-taught, occasionally taken lessons to great effect, and given lessons to people who progressed much more rapidly than I did, since I could quickly coach them through things it took years to learn on my own.
analog31 9y ago
Do you have a chance to play in an ensemble? There's an old adage: "Try to play with musicians who are better than you." I was extremely lucky to fall into a sort of community band, full of really good musicians. It has been a challenge to keep up with the band. While it's not a professional group, it's managed by grown-ups, so it's well organized and the rehearsals are efficient. In general, performing adds a dimension to your playing, even if it's not the hardest music that you've played. If you don't have time for a band, I know it sounds kind of corny, but retirement homes love to have musicians. Some have money, others don't. The joy that it brings to people who are lonely and of limited mobility is incalculable. Also, +1 to the other comments in this chain.
- flashgordon 9y ago
  Actually totally agree about playing in an Ensemble. I used to do this before I moved here. I had tons of folks to have jam sessions with. And that was an amazing way to improve as you had constant feedback and guidance. Now I am just finding it hard to get into a circle which is pretty much entrenched and closed. I am not sure if I have become less friendlier (i doubt it) or have people become less forgiving of "amateurs"! Hmmm love the idea of playing in retirement homes. Definitely did not think about that! By the way what instrument do you pay?
abhirag 9y ago
Not the OP but I know that feeling of one's skill as a musician plateauing. Your feeling of "so what now" is exactly the thing you need. When trying to acquire any skill, practice alone doesn't cut it, you need a practice + feedback loop. The feedback is what your "so what now" feeling is supposed to address. Feedback can be external, i.e. coming from fellow musicians or a teacher or internal i.e. you reflecting on how you can get better. Practice needs to be continuously altered according to feedback. To get better you'll need to practice better, also known as deliberate practice. You'll need to try and push the envelope a bit, go busk and people will give you immediate feedback if something sucks. This will not be a gradual process, days of nothing clicking will be followed by a day when everything clicks into place, keep at it. Playing an instrument should feel like talking to a friend, any awkwardness is something you need to work on, that is the easiest way to get feedback on what needs to be added to you practice regime. For me the same mental framework works for programming, or any other skill. As it turns out, trying to learn a musical instrument teaches you a lot about learning in general. For that alone it is a worthwhile endeavour :)
GuiA 9y ago
Also someone who picked up instruments late in life. I have no lessons to give, but my only advice is that plateaus are normal, and the only way to win is to keep going. To borrow Feynman’s words, keep your pen on the paper. It also helps to diversify. If you have been playing the guitar for a while and are plateauing, switch from electric to acoustic (or vice versa), or even bass. When you go back to guitar, you’ll have a deeper understanding. IME this applies to any creative discipline.

IAmGraydon 9y ago

As a musician in my mid 30s, I would say the most liberating thing was realizing that there’s a difference between being really good at an instrument and being a good musician. No amount of practicing your instrument will make you a good musician. For that, you must expand your sonic palette and write more. Go on Craigslist, get 3 used instruments that you have no idea how to play, bring them home and figure out how to make a song with them. That is how you continue to grow as a musician.

acjohnson55 9y ago

Do you take lessons? I think that finding a halfway-decent teacher is by far the best way to improve at playing an instrument. Take it from someone who has done a lot self-taught, occasionally taken lessons to great effect, and given lessons to people who progressed much more rapidly than I did, since I could quickly coach them through things it took years to learn on my own.

analog31 9y ago

Do you have a chance to play in an ensemble? There's an old adage: "Try to play with musicians who are better than you." I was extremely lucky to fall into a sort of community band, full of really good musicians. It has been a challenge to keep up with the band. While it's not a professional group, it's managed by grown-ups, so it's well organized and the rehearsals are efficient. In general, performing adds a dimension to your playing, even if it's not the hardest music that you've played. If you don't have time for a band, I know it sounds kind of corny, but retirement homes love to have musicians. Some have money, others don't. The joy that it brings to people who are lonely and of limited mobility is incalculable. Also, +1 to the other comments in this chain.

flashgordon 9y ago
Actually totally agree about playing in an Ensemble. I used to do this before I moved here. I had tons of folks to have jam sessions with. And that was an amazing way to improve as you had constant feedback and guidance. Now I am just finding it hard to get into a circle which is pretty much entrenched and closed. I am not sure if I have become less friendlier (i doubt it) or have people become less forgiving of "amateurs"! Hmmm love the idea of playing in retirement homes. Definitely did not think about that! By the way what instrument do you pay?

abhirag 9y ago

Not the OP but I know that feeling of one's skill as a musician plateauing. Your feeling of "so what now" is exactly the thing you need. When trying to acquire any skill, practice alone doesn't cut it, you need a practice + feedback loop. The feedback is what your "so what now" feeling is supposed to address. Feedback can be external, i.e. coming from fellow musicians or a teacher or internal i.e. you reflecting on how you can get better. Practice needs to be continuously altered according to feedback. To get better you'll need to practice better, also known as deliberate practice. You'll need to try and push the envelope a bit, go busk and people will give you immediate feedback if something sucks. This will not be a gradual process, days of nothing clicking will be followed by a day when everything clicks into place, keep at it. Playing an instrument should feel like talking to a friend, any awkwardness is something you need to work on, that is the easiest way to get feedback on what needs to be added to you practice regime. For me the same mental framework works for programming, or any other skill. As it turns out, trying to learn a musical instrument teaches you a lot about learning in general. For that alone it is a worthwhile endeavour :)

GuiA 9y ago

Also someone who picked up instruments late in life. I have no lessons to give, but my only advice is that plateaus are normal, and the only way to win is to keep going. To borrow Feynman’s words, keep your pen on the paper. It also helps to diversify. If you have been playing the guitar for a while and are plateauing, switch from electric to acoustic (or vice versa), or even bass. When you go back to guitar, you’ll have a deeper understanding. IME this applies to any creative discipline.