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Post by Melodic Dreamer on Aug 14, 2015 16:57:48 GMT
What do you do to find a good balance in your life? Everyone will do something different. Just curious what you guys do.
For me, this is a constant state of awareness. Selfcare plays a huge part in a person's well being. I'm a husband to a wonderful wife and a father to three little girls. I'm finishing Grad school and I work at a YDC. The problem is I still have a desire to play music and learn, but the amount of time I have doesn't line up with my desire to play. lol
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Post by Rambler on Aug 18, 2015 15:48:51 GMT
Great question - I'm not sure I do find a good balance. At the moment, I am at home on Summer holidays with my wife and 1 year old daughter. You would think I'd have plenty of time to practise, but no, I'm afraid it's seen as rather self-indulgent round here. That said, I do get some time on a night, between about 7:30 and 9 and I go down to the shed where I can make some noise. I had about half an hour this morning, which was great and set me up for the day in a good mood (I find being able to play the guitar constructively really lifts my mood). I guess, I am quite possibly a failing musician... I had the hubris to go and study music, rather than a sensible subject that would lead to a good career. I hung onto the idea that my band would 'make it' for far too long, without putting enough energy into self-promotion. I now have a full-time job teaching music to kids (and some adults), which I do enjoy, but wish I'd been able to 'go further' in life.
At the moment, I'm finding transcription is the best approach to progressing as a player with little time to practise: I suppose being able to play lots of stuff is part of what makes you a good musician! But, I'm also trying to develop my composing... A couple of years ago, I did 1 year of a Masters in Music Composition, which was an interesting experience, but put me back in the academic music world, which is a strange place!
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Post by Melodic Dreamer on Sept 4, 2015 1:22:35 GMT
I'm not getting to do much playing at the moment, but when I do I enjoy the little bit of time even more than usual. I think composing is a true sign of musical maturity. It isn't always about the show, but sometimes the creative nature within a composition that is beautiful and intriguing. I'm glad your able to enjoy music even though it is a job throughout the day. I was teaching out of a music store about 10 years ago and it was draining me of my joy.
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Post by Rambler on Sept 7, 2015 18:38:11 GMT
Interesting what you said about teaching - I've heard other ex-music teachers say the same. What do you do now?
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Post by Melodic Dreamer on Sept 13, 2015 1:57:48 GMT
I work at a YDC as a counselor with adolescents from the ages of 13 to 19 who have two felons or more.
During the time I was teaching I was struggling bad. No one wanted to learn the instrument or musical theory. I either had Joe blow who wanted me to learn some AC/DC or Metallica riff and teach it to them or a parent who brought their kid (who didn't want to play) in every week. Each lesson was the same lesson over and over again, because they had no desire to practice. After awhile it got old and I started working in the photo-lab at Walmart. lol
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Post by Rambler on Apr 4, 2016 19:47:59 GMT
How's it going with the work/life balance Melodic Dreamer?
I'm on Easter Holidays and currently getting about 2 hours a day to do some music. It's on my own, though and I do crave interaction with other musicians. I miss gigging too...
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Post by Melodic Dreamer on Apr 4, 2016 22:30:51 GMT
I have learned to just let go. I have other obligations that are more important. I still play, but I'm allowing myself grace. Instead of trying to make time to play, failing and getting discouraged, now I except that I only get to play one or two hours a week.
I do have a new toy coming in the next day or two. Will be posting about it soon.
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Post by Rambler on Apr 24, 2016 21:41:29 GMT
Hi Melodic Dreamer, it's a shame that you only get to play so little. I hope you are finding more time...you are really a wonderful player. This is a very busy time in your life, things will open up further down the line I'm sure.
I do lots of teaching, just wish I got to do more playing. It seems teaching begets teaching...it's a slippery slope! I find with teaching that one of the most important things is to dictate what they are going to learn. This is admittedly easier with younger kids, which is mostly the type of teaching I do. Most kids are actually happy to learn stuff they've never heard of before as long as you appear to believe in it enough. I get a satisfaction from laying a good path for them, and helping them learn famous tunes/riffs/songs along the way. Some kids play for years and never say "can I learn Back In Black?" so you can really give them a good grounding. It's much harder to teach people who expect to be playing ACDC within a few lessons.
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