On line instruction and self critique of submitted work
David:
Your online instructional videos and LOA program are great. It really allows for flexibility learning from home. I am certainly benefitting from them. There are no harmonica instructors in the immediate local area I am aware of and even if there are, I would only be able to meet once a week at best. However this does run into an issue with self critique of my playing, especially when evaluating my own recordings for test submission. I do not have the trained ear of an instructor to pick out the subtleties and where some of my not so obvious mistakes are. While I try to match your playing and work towards perfection I understand I will have some present limitations (or am I underestimating myself?). While it is important to get a lot of practice time in, there must be a balance where I am not spending an excessive amount of time and frustration trying wring out perfection.
1. Do you have any advice or insights on how to effectively critique my own playing while I listen to my recordings to ensure I am not missing anything?
2. What sort of balance should I strive for in trying to get the songs perfect without burning myself out?
Thanks
Brian
Hello Brian.
Yes, it is tough not having an instructor with you. Recording yourself, which you are doing, is the best tool. Since you're working bending right now, if you record yourself playing "Feelin' for the Blues" with no backing track, you can then listen back to your recording while having HarpNinja on and it will show you the depth of your bends in real time. Besides this, sending me a recording of you playing with the song early on, if you wish, to help see if you're on the right track, is welcome. This way I can give you feedback along the way.
In regards to burnout, focus on other areas of your study so that changing things up keeps it interesting for you. In the end, it IS practicing when you don't feel like it that gets you better :-)