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panthersquall - Posted - 10/20/2009: 18:48:14
Hey fellow banjerheads. I have a funny problem! Perhaps you can help?
It seems that I am always cracking myself up. It's been going on for awhile now.
I bust out laughing when I make a mistake so bad I can't recover from it.
I bust out laughing when I play something so well it surprises me.
I bust out laughing when my friend and I are playing Cluck Old Hen and he bends his strings real far.
And as soon as I start laughing, I stop playing. I can't seem to keep on going.
It is starting to get really annoying to myself, and I suspect to my fellow pickers, too. One of them even gently suggested I will have to get past this.
I don't feel nervous at the times that it happens, and it feels and sounds like genuine laughter to me, so I can't chalk it up to 'nervous laughter' and I guess it might be a surprising thing to complain about, but like I said above, it is starting to get on my nerves.
I find myself having a very difficult time maintaining focus and concentration lately.
I've played these songs a million times. What's going on?
Any suggestions as to how to get past this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
"F# is the new G."
Bisbonian - Posted - 10/20/2009: 18:52:03
Sounds like you are having fun...I wouldn't worry about it.
"When Banjos are Outlawed, only Outlaws will have Banjos."
banjotef - Posted - 10/20/2009: 18:59:48
Record it, and sell it! I would love to hear that.
Go down pickin'
banjotef - Posted - 10/20/2009: 19:00:28
We're not much help, are we?
Go down pickin'
MountainBanjo - Posted - 10/20/2009: 19:04:13
I cant stop laughing...
panthersquall - Posted - 10/20/2009: 19:24:39
I'm beginning to suspect nobody's going to take this seriously. But I am honestly having a problem with it.
"F# is the new G."
panthersquall - Posted - 10/20/2009: 19:30:44
The last time I was playing with a friend, I got really self-conscious of it and tried not to do it and you know what happens when you're not supposed to laugh at something and you start laughing and then try and squelch it, right? It only made me laugh harder.
Perhaps I am slightly hysterical.
"F# is the new G."
Grum - Posted - 10/20/2009: 19:56:24
Do you much work playing at funerals?
Grahame Bertram - I pick, therefore I grin.
Grum - Posted - 10/20/2009: 19:56:31
Do you much work playing at funerals?
Grahame Bertram - I pick, therefore I grin.
oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 10/20/2009: 20:32:45
Think about death.
Think about taxes
Think about lemons
Think about the lemon you are driving
Think about a milk shake
http://www.rsb.pricklypearmusic.net
Rocket Science Banjo - Advanced Clawhammer Techniques for beginners and long time players alike. Plus videos and 25-40 EZ Clawhammer Tunes.
& check out "How To Mold A Mighty Pinky" at:
http://www.pricklypearmusic.net
banjo brad's great banjo site
jfrebel - Posted - 10/20/2009: 20:40:45
sing a sad song.
Plinkerton - Posted - 10/20/2009: 20:55:53
Stop smoking pot before jamming...
MountainBanjo - Posted - 10/20/2009: 21:08:08
We are truly honored that you asked us experts here on the banjo hangout, but methinks this isnt technically a banjo problem (cough cough). 
Stutts - Posted - 10/20/2009: 22:22:32
Try playing underwater in a deep pool. It cured me from laughing and playing at the same time. I almost drowned!
maxmax - Posted - 10/21/2009: 01:30:49
Sounds like you need to get some more sleep. 
I'm pretty sure time will solve this problem by it self. But it won't hurt to start forcing yourself to keep playing and not stop, even if you start laughing or make a mistake.
Best,
Max
RatLer - Posted - 10/21/2009: 04:22:24
When something strikes you funny, stop playing and tell a joke!! Then pick up where you left off...till the next episode. The peolpe will love it and laugh with you or they will throw tomatoes at you. After a couple of tomatoe strikes, you'll not be in a laughing mood...
RatLer
The Engineer - Posted - 10/21/2009: 05:24:57
I have to agree with Plinkerton, put the wacky weed down or go see a head
shrink.
rinemb - Posted - 10/21/2009: 09:12:20
I am having the same problem, right now. We started playing traditional Volksmusik of Austria and Slovenia-my friend on button accordion and me on tuba/euphonium. It "cracks" us up. We can't get through a tune right now without busting into laughter. Like you, its from so much fun- though sounds, the mistakes, the new to us stuff. Some of that may be do to the f@rting sound of the low brass and the steriche accordion.
Brad
You may be man enough to take my woman, but you'll never get my banjo.
May not the incidence of success, nor the pretense of retirement-
Lessen the want of enlightenment.
agent369 - Posted - 10/21/2009: 10:21:50
Drink Dr. Pepper while playing. Then after you've cleaned up the DP that comes shooting out your nose when you laugh, you'll be too mad to laugh? If that doesn't work, you could hold your breath while drinking... oh, wait, that's for hiccups. nevermind 
""The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell "
BobCu - Posted - 10/21/2009: 10:44:30
I am a new time player (6 wks or so) and the first time I tried my 2 chord first song "Skip to My Lou" I was laughing so hard I permanently fell out of rhythm for the day. It didn't get any better when my wife and I tried. Just concentrate and work at it and it will start to come together. I am thru the first song and now trying my hand at a 3 chord song. Lots of fun...just take it one day at a time and set even a small goal(s) for your practice sessions. I like a previous poster who said that practice makes it sound like work so he calls it playing sessions. Either way, try and play a little every day and enjoy whatever successes you have.
Good Pickin'
Bob Cunningham
rinemb - Posted - 10/21/2009: 13:43:03
Agent369,
I am trying to remember ever seeing a soft drink in your hand!
Brad
You may be man enough to take my woman, but you'll never get my banjo.
May not the incidence of success, nor the pretense of retirement-
Lessen the want of enlightenment.
MountainBanjo - Posted - 10/21/2009: 14:15:33
With apologies to John Prine
Dear Abby Dear Abby, I feel kinda low
I cant stop from laughing while playing banjo
If I cant stop laughing I surely will croak
I'm laughing right now but this sure is no joke
Signed,
Not funny
Not Funny Not Funny
You have no complaint
You are what you are
And you aint what you aint
So listen up buster
and listen up good
Stop wishing for bad luck
and knocking on wood
Signed,
Dear Abby
CoE15NJV - Posted - 10/21/2009: 18:20:34
Panthersquall, the remedy for your problem is simple and obvious.
Steven
rendesvous1840 - Posted - 10/21/2009: 19:12:21
If you dwell on it, it may get worse. Think back and try to discover when it started, and maybe what caused it will become clear. On the surface,it sounds funny to us, but anything that messes with our music doesn't stay a joke very long. Analize it from it's starting point. There must be a cause/effect at work here.
Paul
"A master banjo player isn't the one who can play the most notes. It's the one who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello
http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/t...IC_ID=128303 IBARD topic
http://ibard-rendesvous1840.blogspot.com/
panthersquall - Posted - 10/21/2009: 19:46:01
Well, I am relieved to hear that other people have had the laughing affliction as well.
So it's a phase. The Uncontrollable Laughing Phase.
Good to know...
"F# is the new G."
Michael Coleman - Posted - 10/21/2009: 20:37:23
Personally, I don't see a problem. I think laughter is great. It makes picking fun. If your picking friend is not bothered, you shouldn't worry.
But when you really think about it, what could be funnier than a guy with a banjo, basically a drum on a stick, trying to make it sound like a chicken. That's pretty doggone funny.
MC.
agent369 - Posted - 10/22/2009: 08:15:45
Hey Brad.... See how well the remedy worked! Adult beverages generally aren't NEARLY as sticky.
""The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell "
arcticpoppy - Posted - 10/28/2009: 00:43:03
Listening to all you guys won't help panthersquall with his problem, I don't think! :)
johann - Posted - 10/29/2009: 06:15:49
Serious solution to this problem offered: Learn (or work on) singing while playing the tunes you know.
This will do two things: make you more focused on the tune you are playing and give your diagram something to do (other than laughing) while picking.
panthersquall - Posted - 10/29/2009: 16:17:24
quote:
Originally posted by johann
give your diagram something to do
LOL!
"F# is the new G."
Edited by - panthersquall on 10/29/2009 16:17:57
panthersquall - Posted - 10/29/2009: 16:22:07
I know what you meant.
It was actually a good suggestion, thanks Johann.
"F# is the new G."
plunknplinkntwang - Posted - 10/29/2009: 16:40:44
quote:
Originally posted by panthersquall
quote:
Originally posted by johann
give your diagram something to do
LOL!
"F# is the new G."
No dont LOL - thats whats giving you the problem
Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm - Winnie the Churchill
panthersquall - Posted - 10/29/2009: 17:52:17
Johann made me do it!
"F# is the new G."
plunknplinkntwang - Posted - 10/30/2009: 08:34:45
quote:
Originally posted by panthersquall
Johann made me do it!
"F# is the new G."
Is 'diagram' funnier than a 'diaphragm'?
Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm - Winnie the Churchill
RatLer - Posted - 10/30/2009: 08:51:25
If its a"diagram" of a banjo picker laughing herself silly...it might be funnier
RatLer
Edited by - RatLer on 10/30/2009 15:45:10
