Today's musicians – whether students, educators, or professionals – need to strive for quality of practice. Developing a sustainable routine is really a
life-long process. Young people can function off desire and youthful animal
energy. In the long run, though, the creative person needs to find a way to
maintain a level of interest and vitality in the art. This takes work and
intelligence.
The concept of daily practice is an important one, as it is the best
way to make any kind of musical progress. Daily effort keeps players finely
attuned to continuous movement and the incremental accumulation of progress.. Practicing sporadically causes you to lose the thread of your practice and is thus much less effective.
Through diligent, consistent daily work, a tangible musical
substance is developed. First of all, it is helpful to develop physical stamina through the repeated effort. Also, from day to day, students will accumulate ideas and expand on the themes of their practice. On a topic like working Major chords; the first day might be devoted to arpeggios, and the next day might be finding some connections to other musical sources or songs. By continuing to work with focus on the same things from day to day, students will find their level of proficiency rising and expanding to include all these other sources.
Practicing every day results in the acquisition of technique, musical
intelligence, improved tone, and stamina. Just the quest to continuously find something to practice will increase a musician’s creativity.
There are so many variations of scales, melodies, and melodic
patterns. The only real limitations are determined by focus and creativity.
For example: let's say that you have adequately practiced your horn and now want something else to work on. You could sit down at the piano and transcribe a song, learn a song by ear that you may have previously learned by wrote. This, is one of the most beneficial practices you can do. Ear training, learning songs, listening to other players, hearing bass lines or melodies. Ok. Now you've spent a few hours and learned a tune the way its supposed to be played.
You know the tune inside and out, in essence a great organizational mind skills study too. However your mind works. Don't overload – otherwise nothing sticks.
Your capacity will increase after you have spent more and more time. It's
amazing how connections are made, they seem to occur in a fashion which is beyond the conscious ability to plan and organize.
Daily practice also allows me to imprint the material in my mind
until it becomes instinct. One long practice session will not do this. For most players, useful techniques can only be acquired through repetition. I always try to work new materials into songs, lines and grooves that I like. For me it's sort of like upgrading my musical mind so that my playing becomes reoriented in
the directions I choose. Increasing familiarity with the materials is a good
thing. It's like learning a language – music is a language.
My friends there is a very thin line, sometimes with a pale shadow attached, between what happens on the bandstand,in the shed,writing your thoughts in your blogs, and in the classroom. All involve the now, listening being in the moment.
Instruments, reeds,paper,laptop, pencil, the mind as messenger for the mind and heart are our tools for being in this life.
Whether it's playing with a cool band,or some friends playing Monk tunes, writing a really good line of poetics,learning some new ideas or tunes, or connecting with and enjoying your students.All are gifts that I continue to be thankful for, and always will be.We now have to believe in our true selves and realize that what we do is a gift!
Every day is Thanksgiving !
Let me also add, to me , communication is most important . So, it there is no direct communication with the audience for which you are playing, there goes your job. Play music for people- and watch the result!
John Coltrane used to talk about imagining his music reaching out and embracing his audiences.Remember before Trane was Trane he was a player who could rock the house on the blues, and play any standard song.
I practice everyday, and I practice for at least 2 hours before I do anything. I don't do it because I think that Mike Stern or Sting is going to call. < I wish they would > I do it because it's the one thing in life that has been a constant for me. So few things in life ever remain the same, if any. But the saxophone < and my woodwinds > is the same every day.To me, it's the best ever deal you can make in life. If you work hard and practice at your saxophone , you get better. It's that simple! Think about it. Still grateful to be playing and learning. Looking forward to each gig and rehearsal and student, trying to stay in that vibe. And learn what I can from it. All human beings are linked together through the timeless, universal chain of history and events.The musician links to the practice room and the bandstand. Various life developments have been born in both environs. ~ The first stage of the artistic process involves absorption of principles and techniques that have already been accepted as standard in the field , the artist personalizes past and contemporary styles, meaning active participation in real world. This is why, I've always felt the need to play with all kinds of musicians, any age and of course working heavily with students to develop their "real world" skills. So- till next week - practice hard and eat more vegetables and fruit. Don't forget to do something nice for somebody too, remember compassion is essential with each other.
I hope these words help motivate you to explore your music even more.
Keep the channel open. Everyday...is Thanksgiving.
Enjoy the holiday and the moment. Thank you- Tim Price
- - - - This BLOG is dedicated to the beyond category friendship-to all musicians in this world- Keep on.
