Rllink
Well-known member
I want to use an analogy that I thought of when I read a comment by JustinJ in another thread. We got into a discussion, and I would like to continue it, just not there.
In the ukulele journey, technical proficiency, and the pursuit of technical proficiency is important of course, but it is only one aspect of the experience. This clinical focus to "practice" is likely to produce a shallow ukulele player, especially if they do not recognize the value of anything else. To me, saying that “playing”, is not “practicing”, which appears to mean specifically working on the technical skills, is failing to recognize another important aspect of learning to play the ukulele. The aspect of exploration and discovery. This so called “playing" is what gives the ukulele soul. It teaches the ukulele player to give their music emotion, to give it life. I find many instrumentalists lack that richness, and I attribute that to their narrow focus in their journey. The regiment becomes their guide, rather than the music. Their music, while technically dazzling, sounds dead.
I think that we do a disservice when we fail to recognize the importance of taking the back roads, and experiencing what can be found off the beaten path in route to our destination. I think that it is every bit as important, and every bit as beneficial to the final product, as learning the technical skills. I believe this enough to take exception when is minimized.
When I read that, I thought about a trip, as I often times refer to my ukulele experience as a journey of discovery. So my analogy is this, two people are leaving on a trip. One person goes to google maps, types in the destination, and gets directions that are the fastest, most direct, and one might say, the most efficient route to the destination. Another person, is taking a trip as well, and has not mapped out the route, but decides to wander off on the side roads, taking their time, stopping often, and enjoying the scenery along the way and arriving at their destination, when they get there. So which is the better traveler, but more importantly in this case, who learned the most? Well, if getting to the destination is of utmost important, then getting there fast is the ticket. But much is lost along the way when one takes the interstate. I contend that the latter has learned more from the trip. That they discovered things that make the experience richer, and that richness is reflected in what they do. And I feel the same way about the ukulele.The real issue with most people is they are not willing to put the work in to get better. There is also a proper way to practice. You have to work on those things that give you trouble. You can google proper practice to get more of an idea. I can tell you that with efficient practice you improve much quicker.
In the ukulele journey, technical proficiency, and the pursuit of technical proficiency is important of course, but it is only one aspect of the experience. This clinical focus to "practice" is likely to produce a shallow ukulele player, especially if they do not recognize the value of anything else. To me, saying that “playing”, is not “practicing”, which appears to mean specifically working on the technical skills, is failing to recognize another important aspect of learning to play the ukulele. The aspect of exploration and discovery. This so called “playing" is what gives the ukulele soul. It teaches the ukulele player to give their music emotion, to give it life. I find many instrumentalists lack that richness, and I attribute that to their narrow focus in their journey. The regiment becomes their guide, rather than the music. Their music, while technically dazzling, sounds dead.
I think that we do a disservice when we fail to recognize the importance of taking the back roads, and experiencing what can be found off the beaten path in route to our destination. I think that it is every bit as important, and every bit as beneficial to the final product, as learning the technical skills. I believe this enough to take exception when is minimized.
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