How Long Until I Can Play Like You ? |
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Jan 16 2015, 08:00 PM
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We see this kind of question all the time. Some variation on "How long will it take me to play like you ?"
The tempting but flippant answer one could give to such a question is usually: "As long as it takes." But such questions are understandable and a necessary part of learning. I'm sure we've all been there sometime. But the difference is between those who are merely curious how long it may take and are willing to work on it regardless, and those who want a guarantee. Now, as you probably know already, I don't like it when people want guarantees. If you want a guarantee, buy an electrical appliance. I never had a guarantee when I picked up this instrument and I'm pretty sure you didn't either. Of course I looked ahead and wondered if one day I'd be able to play certain things but until then, I just kept going, day in, day out. The key is to just bury yourself in the NOW and don't concern yourself with how long it MIGHT take, because it is only a guess. What took one person years may take another person months. Sometimes things take years, not because the physical effort demanded it, but sometimes because of the mistakes that needed to be made to arrive at that point. We might try something and keep doing it that way for a year or more and then find out a better way of doing it. That may carry us forward a few more years and then we make another discovery. Sometimes you just have to be ready for a new discovery. As the saying goes: When the student is ready, a teacher will appear." There's one aspect of the "How long until I can do...." question that I personally find irritating. I just stumbled upon this article where a young artist, Pavel Sokov, gives a few of his pointers about success. Sokov worded it very well here and it wasn't until I read it that I realised that he'd put into words something that I've felt but couldn't say: “Being upset that your first oil paintings aren’t turning out is almost rude in a way, because it is saying that you don’t think you need to put in the work to get your teacher’s results.” http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/13-s...-yo#.xl5K68rBnG Basically he's saying that you don't have the right to be angry that you can't play like XYZ yet, because you damn well haven't been doing it long enough. Obviously this is something that occurs with (relatively) new players and / or people that have only just started trying a new thing. Essentially, being good at something takes work. I get asked guitar related questions all the time in various places and I know I tell people certain things that they don't necessarily want to hear. In that moment, when I sense their frustration, I want to say "But this is what I had to do ! This is what it takes !" If they want me to sugar coat the truth I can do that. If they want me to listen to their excuses I can do that too but it won't help them. In fact, I'll be doing them a disservice by letting them lie to themselves. I've been playing for almost 20 years but that doesn't mean that it would take 20 years to pick like me, or perform vibrato like me or learn to compose solos like me. I did a whole lot of other stuff and I also had massive periods where I didn't make any progress. There's peaks and troughs and very long plateaus. Oh, the plateaus. But that's not a quick and easy answer to write every time somebody asks the question and, let's be honest, it still doesn't quite get right down to the heart of the matter. So, I guess we really are better off just saying this; "As long as it takes." 
This post has been edited by Ben Higgins: Jan 16 2015, 08:01 PM |
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Jan 16 2015, 09:10 PM
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"As long as it takes"
Ben Higgins. Make a great T-Shirt! 
-------------------- The more I practice, the more I wish I had time to practice!
My Band Forum: http://passionfly.site/chat  |
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Jan 17 2015, 09:27 AM
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Nice one Ben
-------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE  “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Jan 17 2015, 09:51 AM
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Well this is good to know, I need like 3 more year I think to play like you Ben!
-------------------- Guitars:
Ibanez S770PB (Natural Flat) , Ibanez XPT700 (Chameleon) , Sterling J Richardson Signature , Squire IV Jazz Bass (Sunburst) Gear: Neural DSP Plugins My YouTube Page. |
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Jan 17 2015, 04:26 PM
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I'd amend that to read ...
"As long as it takes. And you'll never play like _________. You'll play like you". -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Jan 17 2015, 05:06 PM
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QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Jan 17 2015, 07:35 AM)  The best thing I've found over the years, is try to keep students interested and motivated in playing and practicing. In simple terms, you won't get any better by simply wanting to get better. You have to PRACTICE. That really is the jist isn't it. The 'talent' is the desire to do the work. -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Jan 18 2015, 10:57 PM
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You have to admit though, things like this do fuel the impatience of the student.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWsDen3la50 Phil -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Jan 19 2015, 06:27 AM
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QUOTE (Phil66 @ Jan 18 2015, 01:57 PM) You have to admit though, things like this do fuel the impatience of the student. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWsDen3la50 Phil The student just has to understand that Joe practiced 5 to 7 hours a day, every day starting at an early age. Jammed, played in bands and busted his ass to get good. If one doesn't 'get' that, then the answer is ... "you'll never play like whomever". Simple. This post has been edited by klasaine: Jan 19 2015, 06:29 AM -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Jan 19 2015, 08:04 AM
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I know exactly what you're saying
People just look at things like that, as I used to, and think "He's 13 years old in that video, I've been practicing for 13 years and still aren't as good as him, what is wrong with me?". It's how people are including myself at times  Some people have an amazing amount of natural talent, when Satch was teaching Vai he was having to force himself to learn stuff even quicker than normal because Vai got things right really really quickly, I think many people forget the natural talent aspect. It's like when you here about Clapton and people like that who "taught themselves", they could manage it because they could hear where they were going wrong whereas most of us need an instructor to point out the flaws. Hope this makes sense, you may not agree but I hope you understand what I am trying to get across Phil
-------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Jan 19 2015, 09:42 AM
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I agree Scott, I'm just trying to point out that people don't see it like that. It's like people go to a teacher every week and moan they aren't improving, teacher asks "have you been practicing?" student says "not really". People tend to look at how many years they've had the guitar not how many hours they've been practicing, therein lies the root of the misconception
Cheers Phil This post has been edited by Phil66: Jan 19 2015, 09:43 AM -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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kinda depressing when I think about it! 
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Jan 19 2015, 10:13 AM
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Me too but now we know, we can make the most of now
 -------------------- SEE MY GMC CERTIFICATE “Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in instalments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you procrastinate, you lose that day's success.” Israelmore Ayivor |
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Jan 19 2015, 04:50 PM
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QUOTE (Monica Gheorghevici @ Jan 19 2015, 03:18 AM) We have an image over skilled known guys and analyze them from our weak skill level. It's funny but most of the great musicians are not satisfied with their level. That's a very perceptive point of view/reference. Until one approaches said player's level of musical experience (notice I didn't say technical skill) one has no idea what that player is really doing or where they came from artistically. How they arrive at what they do is way more beneficial to you than the lick they played. You want to play like ___________ player? Find out who ____________ player listened to and learned from. Also keep in mind that an 11 year old has all the time in the world to practice and as Kris says they don't worry or even conceive of things like 'natural' talent or who's better. They play and practice because they LOVE it to death! This post has been edited by klasaine: Jan 19 2015, 04:59 PM -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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