Ukulele.
This report covers:
- Ukulele
- Guitar players
- However
- Repetition
- No callouses?
Today’s report will be a little different. I’m going to talk about something that costs nothing and yet if you do it costs everything and solves many problems. I’m going to talk about repetition.
Ukulele
I’l begin with the ukulele. The WHAT?? The ukulele.
What does a ukulele have to do with airguns?
PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING!
Guitar players
All readers who play the guitar raise your hands. Now look at the tips of the fingers on the hand that presses down on the strings at the frets to change the notes. Do they have callouses? You bet they do! If you stuck with the guitar long enough to learn the chords, your fingers are calloused from pressing down on the strings.
Why does BB “try” to play the ukulele? Because it has four strings, where many guitars have six. You see, BB Pelletier is lazy. That’s why he shoots 10-meter target pistols and not 10-meter rifles.
A 10-meter target rifle shooter shows up at a match with two huge cases that contain the rifle, the spotting scope and stand, the mat for laying prone, a knee roll, a shooting glove, the sling and sling stop, shooting glasses, the leather pants that cost a bundle and don’t allow for a 5-pound weight gain and the leather shooting jacket that also keeps you at weight.
A 10-meter target pistol shooter arrives in blue jeans with his pistol in a case and his shooting glasses in a pocket of his denim shirt.
However
And this “however” is where the magic happens. The pistol shooter has shot that pistol 100 shots dry-fire and 60 shots with pellets for record every day for the past several years. He or she can tell you what each shot scored the moment the gun fires because they are watching the front sight all the time.
Their trigger “breaks” at 510 grams, but stage one is set to 490 grams and they can hold the last 20 grams on target for several minutes without firing the pistol. They won’t do it, because if they have not fired within five seconds of raising the pistol they have lowered it again and are preparing to go through a drill that looks like it’s being done by an automaton doll.
Repetition
Is this easy? Not at all. But with repetition it has become familiar. Things that used to be a problem aren’t anymore. The pistol is no longer heavy; the trigger no longer goes off by surprise and holding the front sight on the target has become a habit.
I assume the same holds true for target rifle shooters, but I don’t know. I have watched skeet shooters set up for the high and low houses by swinging their shotguns in patterns that look similar, station to station, but are also just a little different. Watch station eight sometime to see what I mean.
Heck, forget airguns and ukuleles. Just watch a skier st the Olympics right before the start of a downhill slalom run and you’ll see what repetition has created. Most of them tremble like they are having a gentle seizure!
No callouses?
You say you tried to learn guitar but your fingers hurt too much to continue? Okay, I understand. Believe me, as a person who has struggled for two years to learn the ukulele I do understand.
I went for the uke because I’m lazy and it has four strings. But my fingers still hurt and they keep getting in each other’s way. Oh, poor baby! Maybe bass guitar is the way to go? You know—it has a longer neck and nobody can hear the notes anyway!
If your fingers hurt when it comes to airguns I suggest buying full-auto airguns and holding the trigger down until something you want happens. And the real pro will say whatever did happen was what he wanted!
How else does one get to Carnegie Hall?
Siraniko
Take NY25 across the Queensboro Bridge, hang a left, then a right on 57th, straight ahead till you hit 7th Ave and Bob’s you uncle.
(Or,, you could do like BB says)
Ed
edlee,
Sure would like to follow those directions. Have to cross the Pacific Ocean first.
Siraniko
Yes, 10,000 hours and not a moment less…..
-Yogi
Yogi,
10K hours was Malcolm Gladwell’s idea espoused in Outliers. There was a three year old scheduled to do Carnegie Hall just before COVID shut down everything in the USA…previously at least one six year old had performed at the Hall.
Some say that 10,000 hours of practice takes ten years of elapse time.
I don’t believe that number of Gladwell’s since Naval Aviators get their Wings of Gold in under eighteen months and typically less than 200 hours of flight time along with an estimated 2,000 or so hours of ground school, Simulator time, and self study. They are close to being the very best in another 800 hours of flight time and continued self study.
To maintain that edge over the years obviously takes additional training, practice, and study.
shootski
shootski,
All the fly boys I have ever meet have been flying in their dreams since they were 4 years old. I think they should get partial credit for that!
-Yogi
Yogi,
There is a large measure of truth to what you say ;^)
shootski
– Dad, I actually wanted to hit the other target, not this small one there! – my older boy is unhappy with his target miss.
– DO NEVER tell you was about to hit something else when you hit the smallest target. IT WAS your target, understand?! – of course, my explanation… could not be different.
LOL! Been there, done that!
I have had a harmonica for many years. I have yet to learn to play it.
I have had a chador for many years. I have yet to learn to play it.
I have had a dulcimer for many years. I have yet to learn to play it.
I have several air rifles and air pistols. I am not too bad with those.
RidgeRunner,
A men’s Chador?
I don’t know how you could play it!
However, I can teach you how to wear it in a New York Minute ;^)
shootski
B.B., can you make a video of you playing something on the Euke and link to it in your post? It just may become the P.A.I.R. theme song!
Roqmin,
I can make such a video, but it will be silent! 😉
BB
OK, in place of that silent video, one from a “son of the south”. https://youtu.be/p4FUFABKqoA
Oliver Hardy was born in Harlem, GA.
Fred formerly of the Demokratik Peeples Republik of NJ now some 60 miles away from the birthplace of Ollie.
Uke tuning:
“My Dog has fleas”
Guitar tuning:
“Even Average Dogs Get Bones Easy”
Here’s a photo of a Uke that I built from a kit from Stew Mac a while back. I think the finish I used was just an oil finish with no shine.
BB, try focusing on only using the minimum amount of pressure to fret the strings. It is easier said than done (I know). But that is one of the keys to playing better.
The first thing FM’s warped mind was reminded of when seeing this article and reading it was Ray Stevens’ “Guitarzan.” Now it is playing inside FM’s hollow-head at 6:49 AM EST. Better that than “Tiptoe Through The Tulips.”
Basil,
I am NOT Tiny Tim and I refuse to swing through the trees. I haven’t even ordered Chet’s guitar course.
By the way—that uke looks great! Is it a tenor?
BB
Basil,
The light touch does help. No only are the chords coming easier—I’m also not muffling the strings next to the ones I press.
Why don’t they teach that online?
BB
Glad that is helping, keep up the good work and have fun!
From experienceI can say NO on the bass guitar.
My parents started me on the music path in 4th grade.
Learning the violin, that instrument also has 4 strings, but no frets to guide finger placement (when we started they did put 3 pieces of tape on the neck to help us).
The bow throws an entirely new dynamic into the mix.
If you are timid, it shows, if you are confident that shows a. well.
The violin is a very expressive instrument by the presure you put on the bow.
In high school I got to learn the trombone, as well as the tenor and alto saxophone.
Back to the bass guitar.
One of my dad’s Masonic Lodge brothers owned a pawn shop, when I was 19 I bought a bass guitar, took it home and played it over the weekend, Monday morning, I returned it to the shop and traded it towards a rifle, a Ruger M77 in 30-06….
One of the best decisions I ever made.
I love music, but eventually I came to the realization that I can play the notes, but I could never learn to put my SOUL into the music.
Ian
Thanks BB, that’s mine, not Basil’s. Yes it is a tenor Uke, good eye! I had previously built a similar soprano Uke and sold it.
Elmer,
Ooops! My bad. Sorry!
BB
B.B.,
https://workmansfriendbrand.com
from the Lone Star State.
shootski
It is Elmer Fudd’s uke – FM would not even begin to attempt learning to play one, he is so musically untalented. No ukes at Casa FM, sadly, though many years ago there was a kazoo in-the-house.
FM,
I’ve always wondered if Ray Stevens’ inspiration for Guitarzan was the 1963 song by the Murmaids “Popsicles and Icicles. It has the line “Bright stars and guitars and”.
You can listen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5NDFot98cA
Roger
FM,
Guitarzan! Never heard that one that I can remember, I had to look it up. 1969. Fun song! The studio audience didn’t really know what to think of THAT one.
FM
I’ve always wondered if Ray Stevens inspiration for Guitarzan came from the 1963 song “Popsicles and Icicles” by the Murmaids.
It has the line “Bright stars and guitars and”. That sure sounds like Guitarzan to me.
You can listen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5NDFot98cA
Roger
FM remembers that tune, which he heard on AM radio the first time he listened to it – FM is old…and a Ray Stevens fan. It figures.
*** full-auto airguns and holding the trigger down until something you want happens ***
That’s a good one BB!
Shoot enough shots at a target and you will always get “one raged hole” accuracy. 😉
The funny thing about shooting a small group is that the more you practice, the luckier you get.
Happy Monday All!
Hank
You are right. My airgun adventure this weekend was trying to hit a pyramid of 16 oz. solo cups at about 15 yards with a pump action nerf gun with a double stacked drum magazine in a contest with the kids at a Mother’s Day party. The foam darts were zinging around in every direction, except straight ahead. Somehow, my daughter managed to get 6 out of the 8 cups to fall. Daddy would have done better with his eyes closed using the Force.
It is said that luck favors the prepared,, or so I’m told. Not sure I believe it after seeing some lottery winners, tho.
Ed
OMG this hits so close to home:)
My oldest son plays guitar…very well.
A few years ago I bought a six string hoping he could teach me guitar.
I was not a good student!
So I figured that I’d switch to ukulele because…it has only 4 strings…gotta be easier!
Well three years later I can play a mean ‘She’ll Be Coming ‘Round The Mountain’.
I’ll stick to photography and 10m airgun thank you very much lol
B.B.,
I agree that repetition is (ONE) of the keys.
There is at least one additional step (technique) that separates the G.O.A.T. from the nearly great performers:
VISUALIZATION is believed by most successful practitioners and coaches to be the number one thing missed by the duffers.
Visualizing outcomes that you are working toward can increase your confidence. “Seeing” yourself succeed helps you believe that it can – and will – happen.
Visualization helps you PRACTICE success.
You need to imagine EVERY step of an event or activity going well, you get your mind and body ready to take those steps and MAKE IT HAPPEN in real life.
If you are NOT confident then you have already struck out! Your mind will be working on not FAILING instead of succeeding.
shootski
PS: “Just watch a skier st (at) the Olympics right before the start of a downhill slalom run and you’ll see what repetition has created. Most of them tremble like they are having a gentle seizure!”
Nope.
Having been in the Start House I’ll share what that seizure actually is: The racer is visualizing (with full mind and body) the course.
Wax on, Wax off.
Mike
Big Iron,
Wax on, wax off.
Is not related to visualization it is an actual physical process; called Cross-training or in some cases Dry Land Training in the water or snow sports.
Visualization has actually been shown to build muscle (among other physical improvements) in a number of peer reviewed studies done by respected experts/organizations in Sport Training
shootski
Visualization helps but doesn’t replace actual physical practice. It takes about 700 repetitions to creat a learned reflex. My experiece of a lifetime in the shooting sports and marshal arts shows this works. Visualizations reduce the number of actual repetitions needed but doesn’t replace actual physical practice.
Your mileage may vary. 🙂
Mike
Big Iron,
You are absolutely correct that visualization doesn’t eliminate the need for actual practice just like reading about it in a book (or worse yet on-line) doesn’t ever make one expert at anything.
I was trying, not all too well, to make the point that Mr. Miyagi having Daniel do specific chores had him practice specific parts of martial arts moves.
I believe we are on the same page Mike.
Hopefully the 700 repetitions are done by folks with best form ;^)
shootski
Visualization works for practically anything. Many years go I had a coworker who played the tuba in an amateur brass ensemble. After I saw them play in person, I asked him “Fred, why do you play with your eyes closed?”
His reply:
“So I can visualize nice round notes.”
Roger
Shootski and Big Iron,
We are all talking about the SAME THING.
Visualization comes with and through repetition. That’s what you see skiers doing before the slalom. I have done it thousands of times when shooting.
Perhaps I didn’t use the words everyone was looking for but we are talking about the same thing.
B B
I do not play Ukelele, but I can play Bass, Guitar, Dobro, Banjo, lap steel, and some home made cigar box guitars in 3 and 4 string versions. Start with the minimum required to play some recognisable tunes. 4 chords;G, C, D, and Em will enable you to get though hundreds of old time tunes in the key of G. Second key I would work on is the Key of D. D, G, A and Bm will get you through that and open up more tunes. If you are playing by yourself, you can transpose any tune into a key you are familiar with.
With guitar, banjo, or dobro those 2 keys and a capo will allow you to fit in well enough to play with other musicians. Playing with other musicians is the key to accelerated improvement. I don’t mean small improvements, they become exponential when you bounce ideas off one another and learn to deal with imperfections on the fly.
For anyone playing ANY stringed instrument as a beginner, I recomend 2 DVDS. Pete Wernick’s Bluegrass Slow Jam for the total beginner and then the Intermediate level to help build the base for improvising.
c_m_shooter,
I had to look up what a Dobro was. I knew it when I saw it but I never heard the name.
I’m working on some simple songs with a few chords, but my goal is to play “Over the Rainbow” like Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. And when I say “like” him I mean the same notes and lyrics. I’n never play or sing like him.
BB
“Maybe bass guitar is the way to go? You know—it has a longer neck and nobody can hear the notes anyway!”
BB, yes, that is why I picked the bass, LOL! Great report! 😉