[kittybarisax]

I am learning a piece right now that has a series of jumps from low notes to high notes, and it is really fast. I have been working on it for about two weeks now and I have been breaking down the part, learning it in chunks, and then slowly piecing it together. For a while it was coming along great, but one day last week when I went to play it, I failed epically. And ever since then it has sounded awful. I am extremely frustrated and I feel like just skipping this piece and moving on from it. My teacher said I should just keep working on it because after a period of it sounding really bad, it will all of a sudden sound so much better. I am finding this very hard to believe since no matter how many times I play it, I feel like it keeps getting worse. Any suggestions on how I can fix this and not feel so frustrated all the time when I practice?

 

[DTExpress]

Kitty,
I would take a break from it for the weekend. It's proven that any activity that involves muscle memorization will benefit from a rest. ;-)
Good luck!
DT

 

[Tony5175]

I know I was working on Take 5 for 7 months to get it memorized and sounding good, I'm still perfecting it. When playing the solo about a week ago I sounded horrible. Two days later I was fine and got it down better than ever. Go take a break and play a song you love playing more than anything. Good luck!

 

[RS]

Go on to something else. Come back to it later.

 

[paulwl]

Frustration is part of anything worth doing. And it's funny how no one will help you with it. It's like it's part of the price.

However, we ought to recognize there's a limit. When frustration stops being technical or intellectual and becomes emotional, it starts feeding on itself and on us. And our work ethic makes no allowances for that. "Whatever it takes." What if it takes giving up on what you love?

 

[bandmommy]

Yup Kiddo, Put it away for a few days and just 'live with it'.
Play a whole lot of other stuff. Noodle around. Ignore that annoying sheet of paper covered with dots.
When you do come back to it you will see it with fresh eyes, and play it with fresh fingers.
It will all fall into place... eventually!

 

[Smokey613]

I know I was working on Take 5 for 7 months to get it memorized and sounding good, I'm still perfecting it. When playing the solo about a week ago I sounded horrible. Two days later I was fine and got it down better than ever. Go take a break and play a song you love playing more than anything. Good luck!

Now all you need is to throw in some tap dancing...