What happens when you practice 12 hours a day?

Summary

Jeff Schneider reflects on the intense practice routines of musicians, drawing from his own experiences and the influence of Charlie Parker's dedication to practice. He discusses the physical and mental toll of such commitment, including his own bout with tendonitis. Schneider emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between personal worth and musical ability, advocating for a focus on making good music rather than solely on technical proficiency. This perspective aims to alleviate the pressure on individual performers and highlights the collective goal of creating quality music.

Takeaways

• 🎷 The speaker, Jeff Schneider, emphasizes the intense practice routine he adopted from Charlie Parker's example, practicing 11-15 hours a day for several years to improve at jazz saxophone.
• 🌱 He reflects on the physical toll such practice took, including developing tendonitis, and the importance of healthy practicing techniques.
• 🏫 Schneider contrasts his high school experience, where he felt confident, with his college experience, where he felt more self-conscious and the environment was more competitive.
• 🎼 The script touches on the psychological impact of practicing extensively, where one's self-worth can become closely tied to their musical performance.
• 🔁 Schneider discusses the paradox of needing to practice to improve but the difficulty of separating personal worth from musical ability when practice becomes a significant part of one's identity.
• 🤔 The speaker suggests that mental health in musicians is often overlooked and that there is a need for more awareness and support in this area.
• 🎵 Schneider makes a distinction between 'being good at music' and 'making good music,' advocating for the latter as a healthier approach to musical practice and performance.
• 👥 He highlights the benefits of being part of a band versus being a soloist, suggesting that the focus in a band is on collective music-making rather than individual performance.
• 🎶 Schneider encourages musicians to shift their focus from personal proficiency to the quality of the music they create, to alleviate the pressure on the individual.
• 💡 The message concludes with a personal realization and a wish to convey this perspective to others, emphasizing that one's worth is not defined by their musical ability.

Q & A

Who is Jeff Schneider and what is the main topic of his discussion in this transcript?

Jeff Schneider is the speaker in the transcript, and he discusses the effects of practicing for long hours, particularly the impact it has on a musician's identity and self-worth.

What was Jeff's initial belief about the amount of practice necessary to excel at music?

Jeff initially believed that to get good at music, one needs to practice a lot, inspired by an interview with Charlie Parker who practiced 11 to 15 hours a day.

How did Jeff's practice habits change from high school to college?

In high school, Jeff was more confident and didn't mind practicing in front of others. In college, he became more self-conscious and would practice quietly or block the view of others to avoid being seen.

What physical ailment did Jeff develop due to his intense practice routine?

Jeff developed tendonitis in his freshman year of music school due to his intense practice routine.

What is the difference between 'being good at music' and 'making good music' according to Jeff?

According to Jeff, 'being good at music' is about personal skill and ability, while 'making good music' is about the collective effort and focus on the quality of the music produced, which can be less about individual performance.

Why did some students in music school put their music stands in the windows of the door?

Some students put their music stands in the windows to block the view of anyone walking past, allowing them to practice without being seen or judged.

What is the 'inner critic' that Jeff mentions, and how can it affect a musician's ability to showcase their talents?

The 'inner critic' is a metaphor for the negative self-talk or self-doubt that can hinder a musician's performance. It can prevent talented musicians from showcasing their abilities due to fear or anxiety.

What is the paradox Jeff describes regarding the relationship between practicing and self-worth?

The paradox is that while practicing is necessary to improve, when it becomes a significant part of one's identity, it can lead to a volatile self-worth that is overly dependent on one's musical performance.

What advice does Jeff give for maintaining a healthy balance between practicing and personal well-being?

Jeff advises focusing on making good music rather than just being good at it, which can help detach one's self-worth from their musical performance and reduce the pressure on the individual.

What physical therapies did Jeff mention that are tailored to musicians?

Jeff mentioned the Alexander technique and certain stretches to help with wrist and forearm issues, which he used to alleviate his tendonitis.

How does Jeff suggest musicians should approach their practice to avoid identity being too attached to their musical performance?

Jeff suggests that musicians should focus on the quality of the music they are making rather than their personal skill level, which can help to separate their self-worth from their ability to play an instrument.