Learn More from Mistakes

by Linda Ratcliff

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.
– John Powell

I Learn More from My Mistakes Than Successes.
Do You?

I love to play through a tune perfectly, time after time, but lets get real – in my world, that simply doesn’t happen. I fail to play a tune perfectly more often than I succeed. But mistakes can be good. In every mistake, there is the potential for growth. They can help me, if I will just take time to do the work. For example …

Mistakes help me to think laterally. There may be a skip and a jump with my hammers that just isn’t working. Repeating the same mistake over and over is just teaching my muscles to follow the wrong path. So I usually try to think of another approach for playing the same run or chord.

Mistakes reveal my weak areas. If we’re honest, we have to admit that we all have weak areas. I still can’t do a smooth “multiple bounce roll” with my left hammer. And I’ve tried. I always have to plan my arrangements so that technique lands on the right hammer. Wouldn’t it be better if I started developing that skill with my left hammer too?

Successfully correcting a recurring mistake builds confidence. When I finally begin to play through a section correctly, and without slowing down through the part that was giving me a headache, I feel ready to give myself a new challenge. I am encouraged by knowing my desired outcome is one measure or one section closer.

Mistakes build character. When we’ve “messed up” enough times, a musician can go one of two ways! We can choose to throw in the towel, pack up our instrument, and lean it in the corner. Or we can learn from the experience, gain confidence, build character, and become more of the musician that we ideally wish to be.

I choose to keep on keepin’ on, until I can play through successfully. How about you?

If you have any questions, always feel free to ask Steve or myself.

Happy dulcimering,
Linda