by Raymond » Mon Jul 05, 2004 10:36 pm
Relax, relax, relax, relax......
Mechanical is when you are doing things too consious and not naturally. Is like walking, if you think about it and do not do it naturally, if all of the sudden you need to turn right, there is no way you will be able to do it without havin to stop or not been able to do it... Besides...you will also, look funny...
Is hard to react and be natural if you do not have confidence in what you are doing. Therefore, the important thing here is to build your confidence in your playing and you will see the improvement....
In "musical terms" your friends is saying that you do not sound natural or with "swing" like you should...Very important is to sound right...You might be too aprehensive or not going along naturally or you are lacking "speed" or "proficiency" or what we call "street smart skills" to play with others....You have to "review yourself here"...
The terms or analogies above are easier said than done but actually all it takes is you relaxing about what you are doing and building that confidence that you will not lose it...The more relax you are, without losing your concentration, the better you will be able to play...
Practice, practice, practice...Believe it or not it is a shocker when you go out there and play with others who told you "do not have it..." (At least not yet)....Cannot take that comment in a bad way, also have to qualify it because the other person could be wrong and not you..... Try to think and realize what they mean....
The proficiency and skill to play with others takes awhile and depends on you....You might need to practice things you might be lacking....You have to identify or allow others to tell you, in a nice and professional way, how to do it right....
Don't feel bad...don't give up....ask them what they mean..... Tell them to show you...learn from that.....
After all this "psychology", in summary, you might need to practice more "your grooves" and master your playing until is "flawless" or at least close to it that others feel you have it...(Yes...you have to get there...For some is quicker and for some takes them awhile....Don't give up...)
Recomendation, when playing with others try to record yourself and compare it to the playing of others in records, for example....Ask yourself.....Do I sound right! Listen to yourself over and over and you will find the "flaws"" .. (See other posts here about the "psychological" and "physiological" side of this."
Who knows this might be a "breakthrough" in your playing so you could develop further....
Saludos!