RE: [Harp-L] How do you break through a wall?

["Bradford Trainham" <bradford.trainham@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Yeah, no substitute for practicing... But
What if, instead of worrying about the mastery of specific techniques, you
figured out what you like most to play and did that?
Then, the public, infected by your own having a good time, would have a good
time itself and someone would pay you a compliment you'd be able to believe
in the efficacy of... And the whole adventure would create a feedback loop,
itself a powerful blast through the supposed wall!
Then, armed with confidence and that intangible energy that comes with
playing out and having a few good nights, you'd start mastering all those
occult techniques, all the while, still having a good time which is what
most of the audience wants.
Just a possibility,
Brad Trainham
 

-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Will Vogtman
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2007 8:37 PM
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] How do you break through a wall?

Hey folks.
   
  I'm presently in the middle of a personal reinvention.  I haven't played a
gig in a few months--if I am playing out regularly, I play safe and I don't
improve.  
   
  In terms of public performance, I plan on taking a year or more off.
   
  I do have a few clear goals in mind.  In the past 3-4 months, I have seen
the best of the people whom I'd like to emulate.  I have always know that I
am the big fish in a mud puddle.  However, I didn't realize how small my mud
puddle is.  
   
  My problem--my goals are too big.   They are so big that they are
imobilizing.  No matter how I try to break it down, I feel like I'm starting
too late in life, have too many family restrictions, etc.  I know that all
these obstacles can be overcome, I just don't feel it is a possible thing.  
   
  I have always had trouble ballancing the Apollonian with the Dionysian.  I
usually have an overubandunce of one or the other.
   
  Anyhow . . . 
   
  At the conclusion of my hiatus, I want to be able to:
   
  1.  Sight read for harmonica, sax, and bass.
  2.  Overbend harmonica and overblow sax (altissimo).
  3.  Play any given diatonic in all 12 keys.
  4.  Play as if the harmonica is my own voice--no "interface thought"
between mind and harp.
   
  This seems 10-20 years away from where I am now.  I know it's not.
   
  I am currently at an impass.  I can't seem to start practicing.   
   
  How do you break through a wall?
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