Quote:
Originally Posted by CoolStuff  How do I overcome frustration when playing music or sports?
This happens to me often, if I mess up many times in a row, then I'll progressively get worse and worse. |
I recommend taking lessons in the Alexander Technique from a qualified and highly skilled teacher. (Being certified by
STAT or one of its affiliated societies doesn't guarantee quality, but it's a good start.) Because the Alexander Technique is subtle, it takes time to learn; I'd plan on at least two years of weekly lessons, although you'll probably see dramatic changes much sooner than that (three to six months).
I used to get quite frustrated when I practiced horn. I'd miss something, cuss, sometimes stomp my foot, and so on. And as you said, the more frustrated I got, the worse I played. In early 2002, I started taking Alexander Technique lessons because I had back pain caused by too much tension. Over the next several months, I found that the change in my thinking affected my horn playing as much as the change in my physical habits. I haven't had that getting-frustrated-making-my-playing-worse experience for years now; it vanished in the first six months of lessons.