What Are the Biggest Mistakes In Playing?

[mc1]

Originally Posted by HHP

On metronomes, I find them useful in the early stages of working up a tune. At some point, you should be able to hear if you are off tempo or not consistent. I used to play rhythm with a bunch of mandolin players and these guys would invariably speed up as they went through a tune. By the end, they would be 30-40 beats faster than they began. On of them would say "Did we speed
up?" and then they would all turn and stare at me.

and you would reply, "i think we did."?

[HHP]

Originally Posted by mc1

and you would reply, "i think we did."?

My polite answer was "somebody did"

[mc1]

Originally Posted by HHP

My polite answer was "somebody did"

what's that quote about you can be off and i can be off, but if we're both off together, what's stronger than that?

[Howard Klepper]

Taking the advice of people who post on internet forums.

[Kevin A]

Originally Posted by Howard Klepper

Taking the advice of people who post on internet forums.

okay.. now we're on to something here!

[Jeff M]

Originally Posted by HHP

What are the most common mistakes people make in learning to play or continuing to play? As a flatpick player , I would say...

Using too much left hand force/tension
Not using enough right hand force/tension
Not optimizing set-up
Spending too much time with exercises and not enough playing music
Not progressing thru the basics before attempting complex tunes
Thinking details don't matter
Thinking playing guitar and playing music is the same thing.

You hit all my main points.
I'd just add....letting frustration seep in.

[BBWW]

Trying to make a living.

[TwinandTwang]

Not keeping time.
Not playing with time.
It's all about tempo, rhythm and timing.

[dangrunloh]

Originally Posted by TwinandTwang

Not keeping time.
Not playing with time.
It's all about tempo, rhythm and timing.

My wife can tell from the other end of the house when I'm not playing with the metronome. Some songs I've been playing for years without a metronome and I have practiced wrong all this time, slowing down in fast parts and speeding up when there are long notes. And mostly playing too fast. I now write the beats per minute I desire on my music sheets. I listen to different versions on Youtube and pick my favorite tempo for each song in my practice list.

Working with a big pile of clumsy songbooks. I scan them and print out sheets. All my practice songs now in one easy ring binder. Love it.