vesterberg.se

This week I have been struggling with some jazz concepts. I got frustrated that I did not “get it” faster. When I calmed down and took a step back, I realized that I had to be patient and use some principles of life. This is what dawned to me (nothing new):

I try to grasp too much at a time. I have to divide the task into smaller parts and conquer them that way. However sometimes it is hard to know how to divide. Then take a step back and think it through.

I have to practice the concepts more often, a few minutes several times a day. The most efficient learning is taking place when you repeat often. If you let several days pass, maybe only 50 % is left when you hit it again and you feel as if you are skiing uphill every time.

The third thing is to become more aware of what I am doing, to climb up to a higher level of concentration and stay there. It is easier to learn things mechanically, play what you already know or hone your slapping technique, than to intelligently steer your playing. Know why you play things. Play on purpose. Awareness can be trained. Drifting away and thinking on something else is an easy habit.