30 years ago I started learning guitar. My teacher used to say quite often, "why don't you put your guitar down and just sing this one?". Eventually I got the hint. Then about 7 years ago I decided to learn the fiddle - and I love it! But I have noticed a problem worse than your bottom lip one - sometimes when I am really concentrating on playing I find I am dribbling! Don't tell anyone! I enjoyed this post, thankyou!
😂that’s what I tell myself! Sadly my guitar experience was no help at all with the fiddle- but I’ve learned by ear only which I find much easier. Give or take the dribbling! 😂
I learned flute, drums and piano and taught myself to play cords on the guitar. It's great! Just do it, especially the drums. And importantly: if an instrument really suits you: buy a good one. The better the sound, the better the feeling! Only problem: I don't have enough time to play them all as much as I would like... And still I would also still love to learn cello 🤪
I’ve already been wondering about where to put an electrical drum kit…
It must be amazing to be able to play so many instruments. Even when you don’t have time to play, I bet you listen to music in a different way than I do.
Good for you, taking up the drumming, and I know it's like saying "don't think of a pink elelephant", but next time you find your awareness shifting to your focus-face and trying to undo the lip-thing, try to remember that having a focus-face can be a very effective deterrent: it can make people think twice where they might otherwise bluntly interrupt what you are doing, and instead of breaking your concentration, leaving you blissfully unaware of their attention (or even their presence) and able to develop that state of mind where you are simply "in the zone". Being able to "play" can be tricky enough as it is, telling your inner censor to back off...
It's probably like the faces one makes while drawing expressions on faces - some people will point it out, but having done some drawing before, you can shrug off such commentary, as experience has taught it's a thing onlookers sometimes do. It happens to cartoonists all over the world. Providing such onlookers with a witty response or explanatory insight is optional at best, and irrelevant as you're busy. Drawing.
Anyway... please disregard these reflections, as they are not likely to contain anything you do not already know. I just want to thank you for your great comics, and simply felt it would make me feel good, providing you with some recognition and appreciation coming from a reader with some experience both in making comics and and in overthinking things. And it just did, so thank you for that, too.
Ah, thank you Yiri! I actually did not consider I could just own my focus face. It's all vanity I know, but part of the appeal of drumming is that I think it's really cool - and I want to be cool! That said, I don't have to do it all at once. I'm really far from being a cool drummer anyway. And maybe, once I get a bit more practice, my lip will retreat all by itself.
Your comment does definitely help me put things in perspective, thank you!!
I used to love playing the drums. I gave up when I found I had no sense of time (when our band paid for studio time), but I’d still love to have a kit.
Ooooh, that might be just the nudge I need to hear to have a go. Did she play any other instruments before? Is she taking online classes or seeing a teacher (or both)?
Not sure - I shall ask for you - I think she is very content playing along with her favourite songs at home I don’t think she has visions of joining a group so she is happy with the chill approach.
I learned to play the piano as a kid and now have a digital keyboard but I haven't played for years. I keep meaning to and forgetting! I also can't sing though I love music. Hurray for your drums! I will never play them but love listening.
when I was a kid. Then I moved on to playing bass in my late teens/20s. However now, I just bang my head against the wall in beat with the lunacy in this country. :)
I love playing instruments, especially with others. Right now I am taking singing lessons. Very fun to develop my voice with more awareness and skill. As usual, I love your comic.
Oh, I’m jealous. I can’t sing at all. I do like to believe that I could probably learn to sing in tune, but I’m too self conscious about it to take lessons.
30 years ago I started learning guitar. My teacher used to say quite often, "why don't you put your guitar down and just sing this one?". Eventually I got the hint. Then about 7 years ago I decided to learn the fiddle - and I love it! But I have noticed a problem worse than your bottom lip one - sometimes when I am really concentrating on playing I find I am dribbling! Don't tell anyone! I enjoyed this post, thankyou!
Ha! Your secret is safe with me!
Your guitar teacher must have really loved the sound of your voice then! ☺️
Fiddle must be really hard as well. Did your experience with the guitar help a lot? Music is such a mystical place for me!
😂that’s what I tell myself! Sadly my guitar experience was no help at all with the fiddle- but I’ve learned by ear only which I find much easier. Give or take the dribbling! 😂
Ah, who has time for swallowing when they’re making music.
😂😂🤤
I learned flute, drums and piano and taught myself to play cords on the guitar. It's great! Just do it, especially the drums. And importantly: if an instrument really suits you: buy a good one. The better the sound, the better the feeling! Only problem: I don't have enough time to play them all as much as I would like... And still I would also still love to learn cello 🤪
I’ve already been wondering about where to put an electrical drum kit…
It must be amazing to be able to play so many instruments. Even when you don’t have time to play, I bet you listen to music in a different way than I do.
Actually, when there's drums in the music, my focus will always be there 🙈... 🤣
Oh yes the chello! I’ve been streaming Yoyoma all week thinking the same thing!
Every drummer I know makes some kind of crazy face while playing. Mouth wide open in a silent scream, goblin grimace, lip-biting, snarling, etc.
Ah, I’m just a natural then! ☺️
Good for you, taking up the drumming, and I know it's like saying "don't think of a pink elelephant", but next time you find your awareness shifting to your focus-face and trying to undo the lip-thing, try to remember that having a focus-face can be a very effective deterrent: it can make people think twice where they might otherwise bluntly interrupt what you are doing, and instead of breaking your concentration, leaving you blissfully unaware of their attention (or even their presence) and able to develop that state of mind where you are simply "in the zone". Being able to "play" can be tricky enough as it is, telling your inner censor to back off...
It's probably like the faces one makes while drawing expressions on faces - some people will point it out, but having done some drawing before, you can shrug off such commentary, as experience has taught it's a thing onlookers sometimes do. It happens to cartoonists all over the world. Providing such onlookers with a witty response or explanatory insight is optional at best, and irrelevant as you're busy. Drawing.
Anyway... please disregard these reflections, as they are not likely to contain anything you do not already know. I just want to thank you for your great comics, and simply felt it would make me feel good, providing you with some recognition and appreciation coming from a reader with some experience both in making comics and and in overthinking things. And it just did, so thank you for that, too.
Ah, thank you Yiri! I actually did not consider I could just own my focus face. It's all vanity I know, but part of the appeal of drumming is that I think it's really cool - and I want to be cool! That said, I don't have to do it all at once. I'm really far from being a cool drummer anyway. And maybe, once I get a bit more practice, my lip will retreat all by itself.
Your comment does definitely help me put things in perspective, thank you!!
I used to love playing the drums. I gave up when I found I had no sense of time (when our band paid for studio time), but I’d still love to have a kit.
And a soundproof room.
Ha! I’d definitely go for an electric kit if I got one. I don’t mind making mistakes as I learn, but the whole town doesn’t need to know.
Do you mean you were always late to get to the studio, or your timing was off as a drummer? I’m worried I’d be the latter…
I was definitely the latter! Gutted. 😆
So fun! My wife took up drumming about a year ago, she has an electric kit, only good things have come from that!
Ooooh, that might be just the nudge I need to hear to have a go. Did she play any other instruments before? Is she taking online classes or seeing a teacher (or both)?
She played guitar as a kid but nothing else, she is doing online classes.
It’s getting more and more interesting, what classes does she do?
Not sure - I shall ask for you - I think she is very content playing along with her favourite songs at home I don’t think she has visions of joining a group so she is happy with the chill approach.
I learned to play the piano as a kid and now have a digital keyboard but I haven't played for years. I keep meaning to and forgetting! I also can't sing though I love music. Hurray for your drums! I will never play them but love listening.
Would you do me a favor and check if your lower lip is doing anything in particular when you play a tune on your piano?
Lol I will!
Excellent! Slapping the skins is a great way to take your mind off other problems.
It certainly is! Do you play too?
when I was a kid. Then I moved on to playing bass in my late teens/20s. However now, I just bang my head against the wall in beat with the lunacy in this country. :)
That’s some fast paced head banging! Maybe pick up those sticks again?
I love playing instruments, especially with others. Right now I am taking singing lessons. Very fun to develop my voice with more awareness and skill. As usual, I love your comic.
Oh, I’m jealous. I can’t sing at all. I do like to believe that I could probably learn to sing in tune, but I’m too self conscious about it to take lessons.