Trying - Part III

So, there I was, in NYC trying to learn how to play the piano and lay down down all the rhythm guitar tracks for the new record in two days. This was, in a word, stressful.

It worked out fairly well, however. You see, when I was practicing the keys, I was really distracted by worrying about the record, and when I was working on the record I was really distracted by the need to learn to play keyboard. The end result was that I ended up in this weird stress limbo where I couldn't really give my full attention to either.

I know this sounds like it wouldn't be helpful, but it was. When you're under that kind of pressure you can't be too precious about anything. And so you don't spend nine years on one solo, you bash a few takes out and take the best one. Not being in the moment also keeps you from pushing for what I call "hero moments". Hero moments are when you mistake yourself for Jimmy Page and try to play beyond your ability. Of course, you end up taking too much time for the eventual result, which is that you sound like a jackass. No, it's actually best to not care when you record, that way you get a performance this is most similar to how you play, i.e. more human (and sucky).

Anyway, every minute I was away from recording, I was hunched over my guitar and keyboard. The end result of this was that I hardly slept, split two of my fingers open from the amount of guitar I was playing and developed this weird tennis elbow thing in my right arm from playing the keys with horrible technique.

But would all this practice help me out?

Monday - Trying Part IV