Have you ever practiced one thing so much you actually got worse at it?

[WillCoop]

Since Ben is a professional musician, it will always be hard to copy him, is why I like the build a break lessons, so I can try and make whatever it is I’m playing my own. I’ll start out to play something as exact as I can, and once I get to a point where I have it down to the best of my ability, then I try and take it in a different direction.

Well said @JA1!

Far be it from me to suppose what Ben’s methods are… but I think that is the idea. Learn that there are several ways to “Build a break” at all skill levels and the encourage players to use some of this, some of that… and improve on the other.

In doing so, we grow much more than struggling to learn ONE SOLO or ONE WAY to play something… especially if that something is at a skill level is advanced.

Can we imagine if Ben did this? We would all try and try and finally give up.

I am so thankful that Ben doesn’t do this with us!

Like a favorite song of mine says…

“Just between us
I think it is time for us to realize
The spaces in between
leave room for you and I to grow.”

[5-StringPilgrim]

Yes. There was part in Peaches and Cream that bloodied me. I laid down the banjo entirely for several months and did other things. When I picked it up again I played it better than I ever had. Not perfect but better.

I realized I had been tense and now I was relaxed. I figured out I had to change hand positioning to get these old fingers to stretch.

[WillCoop]

@Stixx3969,

How’s it going? Well, it has been about 3 weeks since this post. To some… a long time. To others, just a blink.

I thought I’d reach out to see if you have an update on your playing? Still struck in a rut? Had a breakthrough?

Did you find any enlightenment from the ideas offered?

No matter what, I hope it hasn’t affected your joy to just pick up your instrument to play. THAT would be a sad situation.

Hope to hear you back from ya soon, Keith. Keep the faith…