Quote:
Originally Posted by Patric_Bernard  Just a point...some of us cant afford lessons :( |
First off - to the above statement:
....being around/with players who are better than you or those you admire can garner great "lessons" every time you are with them. Everything from just watching them play to having conversations with them will benefit you greatly and cost you nothing. Therefore, find and make opportunities to be around these types of players.
....if you are really serious about progressing as a player, then you will do whatever it takes to acquire the money to take lessons with a good teacher....even if it is for just a few times. Is there "something" extra you can do or even sell to get enough money to pay for a few lessons? Be inventive.
Now, to the OP's question....
I would not stress too much over what you are experiencing. Sounds like you are at least aware of the problems...now go at the solutions positively. There are no "quick" fixes...but steady work over periods of time. Many times our expectations are greater than the daily results. (thus...frustration sets in). Don't worry. An example of some helpful things to try are expanding scales (done softly)..and perhaps some articulation exercises that advance above the staff. You can take some things you already work on and just keep working them slowly upwards. All the while, trying to sound as musical and stress free as possible. Spread your practicing over long periods, if you can. (several sessions of - say - 20 minutes at a time over the course of a day) If you don't push things to the point of going back into those old habits of shove, shove, shove...and "really" work on balancing things out with your air vs pressure...then over a period of weeks/then months...you can gradually see improvement.
Lessons? See the above suggestions...
Best of luck to you....