Anyone Ever Feel As If They Are Being too Critical With Themselves?

[jamon]

Every once and awhile, once I feel like I have my stuff down. A little slip or flaw in my technique makes me go crazy. I feel like I play perfectly. Then I examine the lick (which is played fine), hell sometimes I'll examine an already examined lick, and I am so critical on myself that I play the lick over and over until my hands hurt a bit, then for the next few days I can't play it at all. My fingers just don't feel as strong. I know its due to the recovering muscles, but my mind tells me I've lost it. Anyone take frequent breaks after practices? What does this say?

[Scott Whigham]

Who knows - maybe you are. I don't know you so I can't say. I think we all go through our moments (sometimes quite often). Personally I go through probably 1-3 major plateaus/dips a year and have to work my way out. I suspect that's what is happening to you.

As for practicing, I practice throughout the day rather than in one sitting and take frequent breaks. If I am doing technique strength or speed building exercises, I often cannot play those for more than 5-15 minutes before my muscles are worn down. Sure fire way to get frustrated is to ignore how fatigued muscles can affect your playing.

[KRosser]

Most of the great players I've known have an unusual blend of immense self-confidence and are also highly-self-critical.

I don't think they negate each other, necessarily, but rather each balances out the potential excesses of the other - in this case, I think brutally honest self-criticism is very healthy

[RobRowland]

Originally Posted by KRosser

Most of the great players I've known have an unusual blend of immense self-confidence and are also highly-self-critical.

I don't think they negate each other, necessarily, but rather each balances out the potential excesses of the other - in this case, I think brutally honest self-criticism is very healthy

Exactly.

Buy any Vai DVD for example, turn on the commentary track and it basically amounts to 2 hours of Steve moaning about how many mistakes he makes or how sloppy he sounds.

And that's Steve bloody Vai ffs!

[GA20T]

Do you play classical music?

[frdagaa]

Originally Posted by jamon

Anyone Ever Feel As If They Are Being too Critical With Themselves?

Yeah, but that's just because I'm a self-critical jerk.

[kludge]

Originally Posted by KRosser

Most of the great players I've known have an unusual blend of immense self-confidence and are also highly-self-critical.

I don't think they negate each other, necessarily, but rather each balances out the potential excesses of the other - in this case, I think brutally honest self-criticism is very healthy

Bingo!

I find the self-criticism really comes to the fore in the studio. Musicians who aren't used to hearing recordings of themselves can become very self-conscious and disheartened when they hear all the tiny flaws on playback. Back when I first started doing serious recording, a bandmate and I got through a mixing session by agreeing that I wouldn't try to fix anything she couldn't hear if she wouldn't try to fix anything I couldn't hear.

In jamon's case, I'd worry more about getting physically worn out from self-critical practicing. I've found that soreness is usually the result of a flaw in my technique, and can be addressed with analysis and practice.

Personally, I don't do the kind of hours-long practice sessions that wear me out physically. And when I'm performing, I wear out emotionally long before I wear out physically. If I do two straight hours onstage, I come off completely wrung out from the emotional drain.

[Scott Whigham]

Originally Posted by kludge

I find the self-criticism really comes to the fore in the studio. All musicians who have any self respect become very self-conscious and disheartened when they hear all the tiny flaws on playback.

Fixed your post

OMG do I hate the studio lol. A necessary evil but it has to be the most humbling thing for any musician, doesn't it? I feel smaller just thinking about all of the "tiny flaws" in my playing that my next session will reveal.

All kidding aside, kludge has great points (as does everyone in this thread). You suck, OP. I suck. kludge sucks. We all suck in our own minds periodically. Why just yesterday some mean SOB posted this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HSOy6JoSe4. Why do I even bother playing the guitar? I mean holy #%*&.

You know what it is? There is no finish line and there is no gauge to tell you whether you are on the right path. That frustrates us as humans - we want to be right, do right, follow the path. You have to forge your own path and it is often dark and unlit.

"Commitment comes with confidence. Confidence comes with repetition." - The Big Tuna

[kludge]

I was noting that "confidence in the studio" thing earlier this week, when a bandmate and I were recording some friends who aren't used to the studio. They held up very well, actually - I was surprised. But Beth and I, having done three albums together and working on a fourth, have absolutely no shame in front of each other in the studio. It's easy for us to distinguish between our normal suckage and suckage that actually needs work.

Man, I've seen the studio reduce musicians to tears of shame. And practice alone isn't a cure... you need to get enough studio time together that it doesn't bother you anymore.

[Tomo]

Originally Posted by jamon

Every once and awhile, once I feel like I have my stuff down. A little slip or flaw in my technique makes me go crazy. I feel like I play perfectly. Then I examine the lick (which is played fine), hell sometimes I'll examine an already examined lick, and I am so critical on myself that I play the lick over and over until my hands hurt a bit, then for the next few days I can't play it at all. My fingers just don't feel as strong. I know its due to the recovering muscles, but my mind tells me I've lost it. Anyone take frequent breaks after practices? What does this say?

I have been playing for long time and I never felt I can play perfectly so I set my goal a bit lower and enjoy my life! Don't worry too much and you can work your fundamental part that helps playing licks? There is a problem before that problem which the problem. Set your goal a bit different way. Take your time and take a rest if you want. Be positive all the way.

Tomo

[guitarjazz]

Originally Posted by RobRowland

Exactly.

Buy any Vai DVD for example, turn on the commentary track and it basically amounts to 2 hours of Steve moaning about how many mistakes he makes or how sloppy he sounds.

And that's Steve bloody Vai ffs!

That cracked me up! Reminds me of the movie Being John Malkovich.
Sounds like the OP would benefit from the books:
The Inner Game of Tennis and Effortless Mastery

[Flyin' Brian]

Anything that you play represents where your skills and concentration were in that moment only. You will have great days, medium days and crappy days. Embrace them all and enjoy the journey.

[Tomo]

Originally Posted by Flyin' Brian

Anything that you play represents where your skills and concentration were in that moment only. You will have great days, medium days and crappy days. Embrace them all and enjoy the journey.

Great point. I am enjoying today... it's nice day. My playing is totally crap but i enjoy my day and .. ups or downs like everyone.

Tomo

[guitarjazz]

I've gone into a gig thinking,' I haven't shedded, I'll suck' and then had the best gigs in weeks. This is why I'm glad I've spent a lot of time with the basics, scales, arpeggios, chord voicings. Always good to have some of that in your back pocket.

[Selsaral]

My standards are really high, and I have high hopes, so I use my self-criticism as motivation to get better. I ride it like a wave. I nurture it and rely upon it.