It’s Q&A time next Monday. Anybody got anything that hey want help with? Let me know in the comments?

Last week I played a gig at a local place. I spent the first half really not enjoying my own playing By the second half I was warmed up but I still didn’t come away happy as a whole. I have been practising a lot, as well as thinking a lot about jazz playing because of all the things I do on here. We often think that if we practise lots, we will start to feel the benefits at least some time in the near future. It isn’t the case for me and I think I know why. It’s answered in part because a few days later I listened back to some recordings and actually thought I sounded great. The more we practise, the better our ear gets, we get more attuned to mistakes because that’s what good practice entails, listening to yourself and critiquing your playing in order to make it better. Also our standards go up instantly, we know what we are trying to achieve more and become focused on a goal. None of the above is conducive to letting go and being free, which is what jazz playing is really all about. That isn’t to say that the practice isn’t working or even that it isn’t making you better in the short term. I found that out when listening back. But going hard on the practise at home makes your perception shift and become hyper critical. Note to self, and all of you. Be kind to yourself, you sound a lot better than you think. Great to meet some new faces today at the practise club. All the recordings and exercises we worked on are in the Classroom in their various courses now. Matt

Got space for one person for some 1-1 coaching at the moment. It’s a focused 4 week programme where we work properly on your playing and try to make some real progress. Usually it’s people who feel a bit stuck or want a clearer idea of what to practise. If that sounds like you just send me a message and I’ll let you know a bit more.

When do people change strings? Just when they snap? Otherwise it feels like a pretty random choice/ difficult judgement to decide when the sound is my technique or due to the ' hard wear'

I need to get a pre amp to go with my Baggs pickip on my violin, that is: not too expensive techno idiot friendly simple to set up and use. Any suggestions?