TOPIC: Listen to your instructor

I had one of those "aha" moments in my lesson today. If I had listened to my teacher and did what he said from the beginning, I would be farther down the mandolin road than I am. I wanted to play songs, not just plunk chords. I didn't realize how you really needed both to make things sound good. If I had practiced more the way the teacher said, and not done as I pleased, I wouldn't be struggling with chords the way I do. The intructor really knows best!

Another one of those "aha" moments hit me when I was at a festival last weekend. I was watching some of the best mandolin players in the world, and realized I could do some of the things they were doing. I could recognize which chords they were playing(some of the time). I could see strum patterns, and most of all, I understood that I was making progress. While my skill level will never be like the performers I saw, I continue to practice daily and try to become a better mandolin player. While many of the things that Dave is trying to teach me are difficult for me now, sooner or later I WILL "get it"!!!!

I was wondering if there was ever a time when we shouldn't listen to the teach. I guess the answer to that would be a resounding NO!

sure there is....when he demands peanut butter balls

I think i'd play it safe and make the balls, or you'll be playing endless hours of scales!

Nah, he'll just send me to the "cold room"