Between a death in the family last January, allergies, crazy work situation, etc...my practice time has been next to nothing for the past 8 months. Got together with our trio last night to run through our book for an upcoming gig and....*OUCH!*

It's amazing how fast the rust sets in...I've got a ridiculous amount of woodshedding to do. Even some of the "simpler" things I've worked up--just can't even get the hand-shapes out of my head onto the fretboard. It's a good thing I don't play melody on too many of our tunes, might be spending the better part of the gig just focusing on the bass lines.

Just ranting, that is all.

Been there,my friend. It's a frustrating feeling. If only life didn't get in the way...

And the worst part is that if you try to practice by playing "air Stick" you look like some weirdo trying to hug and tickle himself. I remember one day on the subway realizing why I was getting looks from people...

HA! Air Stick!

-Eric

Haha don't be too condemning, for some of us air stick is the only way possible.




Grayo the White

There are a few virtual stick sites on the web that I have used to practice on. It's not perfect but it's better than nothing and keeps you from forgetting the fretboard layout.

Do a search on Virtual Chapman stick on you will find them.

Hi Zaubertuba...

have a good restart...
I'm shure, playing time on any instrument is stored in our brains...
every once lerned skill will never be forgotten and returns when you take your time...

enjoy tapping...

I came off of a forced 6 month break from playing the Stick this past June. It was forced by an injury. I sure know how awful it feels to not play and then try to start again. It appears to be coming back faster than I thought it would.

-Eric

Tuba..!

Thanks for your post, it gives me another reminder of how well humoured and mature this community of crazies really is..!!



Genius Enrique.



I think in actuality, many of us don't have the type of lifestyles that promote an instrumentalist practice regime. That's where practicing smart comes into it, yes?! Still.... music is sometimes just a BEEYATCH and that's all there is to it.

Another way to look at it, and I'm sure you've already considered this, is that you've now got a whole other level of humanity and experience to bring to your Stickist musical expression.

If you really want to take it to the "nth" degree to make yourself feel better, or not... , just remember playing strings is a matter of being warmed up every 24 hours. Like Bob C said before his gig here in 2010, "gotta warm up them fingers". From where I'm currently at, I play something pretty well in the morning, come home at night after teaching drums and I have to warm up .. agaaaiiinn.! It gives me the shits, but it's my current reality.

Having said that, I had an almost 2 week hiatus recently and found that I had a lot more confidence just picking up Sticks and playing straight away once I did pick it up.

I was more carefree and played more naturally.

..... Would somebody just pick it uuuup....!

I think whatever development you've made, it's only a matter of time before you get it back and then some..!

Have you considered using planning apps. If your a W8 guy you could use or Lazy Student or 2Day.
http://timothyayernor.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/the-lazy-student-app/

iphone
http://iphone.appstorm.net/roundups/the-25-best-iphone-apps-for-college-students/

I use 2Day and it's full of tasks, some of which I may never get around to, but at least my list is there at a glance as a reminder.

That's my rant.