whenever i start working on something new i've noticed i go through a predictable series of stages. let's say there's a complicated or syncopated rhythm that i'm trying to learn. from the downbeat of one to being able to play the rhythm confidently, the arc is always the same. becoming aware of the arc and leaning into it has become an effective tool in learning this instrument. here's how it always goes:
the first stage is obvious and it's likely where a lot of people turn the car around and go the other way. it's the initial blast of frustration that comes with not being able to do a thing perfectly the first time you ever try it. i usually call it 'stupid fingers' because they just aren't doing what i want them to... it's almost like they're not even listening to what my brain is trying to tell them. like i'll literally be like "put my 4th finger on the Eb" and for some reason my thumb gets involved. this initial hit of frustration...*sips coffee*...is intense and i find myself doing a weird nervous tic which is i'll stop and start scratching something that doesn't itch. i don't know why i do it but i always do it.
the next stage is my reason kicks in and i start a methodical approach to the rhythm. i'll break it down into maybe even one beat if it's giving me enough friction. i'll bust out the ol' Boss DB-90 (side note boss really needs to give this thing an update... it's ultra dated at this point and could certainly benefit from some new tech) dial in a slow BPM and start off small. the stupid fingers are still in full effect but in this stage i'm actively knocking the corners off.
at this point, likely the next day, i'm able to get to work. over night my fingers have caught up with my brain and the stupid fingers have stopped. i'm still sloppy and may still have plenty of beats or bars to work out but i'm at least physically capable at this point. this is always a good feeling. it's the first sign of in improvement and i can see an endpoint where i'll have it together. this session i'll usually get the whole thing more or less worked out but at a slow, and ruff BPM.
finally, likely the 3rd day, i can see big improvement. maybe i'm not up to full speed or am able to give it any pepper or sauce, but it's nearly at a point where i can play it at full speed. the rhythm feels right and and i implicitly understand what's going on. i got it.
these stages are so predictable that i've come to be very aware when they happen. when i get frustrated with my stupid fingers i can immediately flip that frustration to anticipation because i know that even though today i'm a trainwreck, tomorrow things will start to come together. i get a quick glimpse of how good it feels to get something, and i'm aware that in 2 days, i'll be able to play along with something i can't play today. that is a good feeling and is quite a motivator to keep working on something.
