| Nah, Joe's right... I just happened to have some really good Indian food that day.
First, thank you for your kind compliments. That's alway appreciated and never taken for granted.
Second, let's not put talent aside, anyone's talent. Here's why:
Do some people have a talent for understanding rhythms, hearing pitches, and creating new musical ideas and recreating what they hear? Yes, but I firmly believe that with excellent teaching, not just good teaching almost anyone can develop at least ONE of those traits and express themselves musically at a relatively high level. As I say, it takes superior, methodic instruction and a willingness to learn.
Once those things are in place the repetition of practice truly takes an effect and the time put in is meaningful. In other words, two hours of slurs and long tones are pretty meaningless if you haven't heard a single note you played because you're only paying attention to your lips.
My best days are when I can get three hours of practice, scattered thoughout the day not in a row. Two hours is great, too. One hour works but i find I don't get to do new things as much as when I have nore time. I love experimenting with sounds, approaches, learning new repertoire, revisiting old stuff. Most frequently, I'm relegated to an hour, I get two hours in a couple of times a week. It all has to do with the schedule at work. In an ideal world, I'd like two hours a day.
Wheni was younger and in school, I played all the time. I just loved it. It was all I knew how to do well. You get older, married, have kids and these things require time. You have to be clever about how you use your time in order to keep improving. With the death of Mr. Vacchiano I find myself revisiting some ideas I haven't thought about for a while and it's been a wonderful thing for me in light of sad circumstances.
By the way, Trumpethobo: It's nice having you in my corner.
ML |