What bad habits have you eliminated?

[mathias]

Talking about bad habits in playing here. What were the bad habits, and how did you eliminate them?

How do you identify bad habits in the first place, especially if you don't have other, more-experienced players around to point them out to you?

Thanks in advance!

[skullservant]

I used my ring finger instead of my pinky for a LONG time on bass and guitar. I just stared at my hands and corrected myself everytime I cought myself doing it.

[spacelordmother]

I used my ring finger instead of my pinky for a LONG time on bass and guitar. I just stared at my hands and corrected myself everytime I cought myself doing it.

[Blackened Soul]

The habit of trying to compare what I am writing and playing to what others do and what is considered valid.

[bigchiefbc]

This doesn't exactly answer the question, because it's a current problem that I haven't eliminated yet. The biggest thing that I've been having trouble overcoming the last couple years is this:

Every time I write a riff, or a synth patch, or whatever, I am constantly obsessing over the idea that I think it sounds like a rip-off of some song or riff, or some famous artists writing or playing style, and then throwing the idea in the trash bin because I think it's a derivative knock-off. I really need to have more confidence that what I'm writing is my own original idea and not do so much nit-picking of my influences, even if they are somewhat obvious. Because it has made me throw away a lot of good stuff that could have evolved into an awesome song, just because I was worried that it would come across as derivative.

[Bassus Sanguinis]

Worrying about forgetting those priceless great ideas if I don't document them right away. If they're worth anything they'll come back.

What else?? I used to have way too hard touch, unintentionally. I still tend to bang the crap out of the bass and break strings when I get excited, but that's okay, it's just going with the emotion.

Also, taught myself not to watch my fingers or the fretboard when playing, by playing opposite to a mirror so I didn't have to keep looking down, and once the habit was gone I just relied on my ears and hands.

[Haki]

This doesn't exactly answer the question, because it's a current problem that I haven't eliminated yet. The biggest thing that I've been having trouble overcoming the last couple years is this:

Every time I write a riff, or a synth patch, or whatever, I am constantly obsessing over the idea that I think it sounds like a rip-off of some song or riff, or some famous artists writing or playing style, and then throwing the idea in the trash bin because I think it's a derivative knock-off. I really need to have more confidence that what I'm writing is my own original idea and not do so much nit-picking of my influences, even if they are somewhat obvious. Because it has made me throw away a lot of good stuff that could have evolved into an awesome song, just because I was worried that it would come across as derivative.

Yeah, I have that same problem. What works for me is having people that are into that band/song/whatever listen to my stuff and see if they recognize it. Naming the song after the band or song that inspired it is oddly therapeutic as well.

Talking about bad habits in playing here. What were the bad habits, and how did you eliminate them?

How do you identify bad habits in the first place, especially if you don't have other, more-experienced players around to point them out to you?

Thanks in advance!

That is a big part of why I take lessons.

[mathias]

That is a big part of why I take lessons.

Not to go off on a tangent, but what's your experience with lessons? I'm assuming here you're saying they're worth it.

And if you don't mind sharing, how did you find a good teacher (versus some highschool kid offering lessons), and how much do you pay? How often do you go?

Thanks!

[skullservant]

Yeah, I'd like to know too. Because when I took lessons in highschool the guy only taught me Smoke on the Water

[GardenoftheDead]

High school music classes are bullshit. One-on-one lessons are better but tend to be pricy.

[Achtane]

Tensing my hands up...I always stretch 'em beforehand and do this thing where you uhh...
Tuck your thumbs into your palms, then move only the index fingers on both hands to meet them. Repeat for the rest of the fingers. Then do them in pairs, threes, do the Vulcan sign, etc.
Anyway, it really helps imo.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

Tensing my hands up...I always stretch 'em beforehand and do this thing where you uhh...
Tuck your thumbs into your palms, then move only the index fingers on both hands to meet them. Repeat for the rest of the fingers. Then do them in pairs, threes, do the Vulcan sign, etc.
Anyway, it really helps imo.

sometimes i find that running your hands under warm water before playing helps the tense hand too

[jfrey]

Bad thumb positioning on the back of the neck. To fix it you really just need to focus on always being aware of it.

Bad


Horrendous


Good (ish, just a touch high but close enough since I can't find a great picture of perfect form)

[Fuzzy Picklez]

I've been trying to breath more when I play.
Sometimes, I uh... forget.

[Fuzzy Picklez]

Bad thumb positioning on the back of the neck. To fix it you really just need to focus on always being aware of it.

Bad


Horrendous


Good (ish, just a touch high but close enough since I can't find a great picture of perfect form)

Going to have to completely disagree with this.
I'm usually either number two or three, but there really isn't anything wrong with number two.
Lots of country players will even go further and use their thumb to play bass notes of chords they couldn't reach with their fingers.
I think the trick is generally just moving your hand around until you get something comfortable.
You really don't need classical style grip for everything.