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.

Outlines

00:00

🎷 The Impact of Intensive Practice on Identity and Self-Worth

Jeff Schneider reflects on the effects of practicing for extended periods, drawing from his own experiences and an interview with Charlie Parker. He recounts his high school and college days, where he practiced relentlessly, leading to physical issues like tendonitis. Schneider discusses the psychological impact of intense practice, where one's self-worth becomes closely tied to their musical ability. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between personal value and musical proficiency and suggests that focusing on making good music rather than being good at it can alleviate some of the pressure and self-criticism musicians face.

05:01

🎶 Shifting Focus from Skill to Music Creation

In this paragraph, Schneider explores the difference between being good at music and making good music. He suggests that concentrating on the creation of good music can shift the focus from the individual's performance to the collaborative effort of the band. Schneider argues that this perspective can reduce the pressure on musicians, as it separates their personal worth from their musical output. He encourages musicians to consider this mental shift, as it can lead to a healthier approach to music-making and a more fulfilling musical experience.

Keywords

💡Practice

Practice refers to the act of performing an activity repeatedly with the goal of improving one's proficiency. In the video, Jeff Schneider discusses the extreme lengths he went to practice the saxophone, such as spending 11 to 15 hours a day to improve his skills. The theme of practice is central to the video as it explores the dedication and sacrifices made in pursuit of mastery.

💡Improvisation

Improvisation is the spontaneous creation of musical ideas during performance. Schneider mentions the influence of Charlie Parker, a renowned jazz saxophonist known for his improvisational skills, which set the standard for Schneider's own practice regimen. Improvisation is a key concept in the video, as it is the art form that Schneider was trying to master through extensive practice.

💡Tendonitis

Tendonitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, often caused by repetitive motion. Schneider mentions suffering from tendonitis due to his intense practice sessions, which highlights the physical toll that excessive practice can take on a musician's body. This keyword is significant as it underscores the importance of healthy practicing habits.

💡Self-worth

Self-worth refers to the intrinsic value and self-esteem one holds. In the script, Schneider talks about the roller coaster of self-worth that comes with identifying strongly with one's musical ability. The concept of self-worth is integral to the video's message, as it discusses the psychological impact of intense practice and the need to separate personal value from musical performance.

💡Identity

Identity is the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is. Schneider discusses how practicing for long hours can make music a part of one's identity, which can be problematic if one's sense of self is too closely tied to their musical performance. This keyword is central to understanding the video's exploration of the psychological aspects of being a musician.

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to the state of an individual's psychological and emotional well-being. Schneider points out that while there are physical therapies for musicians, there is less focus on mental health, which is an important aspect of a musician's overall health. This keyword is significant as it brings attention to the need for mental well-being in the context of intense practice routines.

💡Music School

Music school is an educational institution focused on the study and practice of music. Schneider contrasts his experiences practicing in high school with those in music school, where the level of talent was higher and the pressure to perform was greater. The concept of music school is relevant to the video as it provides a backdrop for the discussion on practice and identity.

💡Inner Critic

The inner critic is an internal voice that can be overly critical or negative, often affecting one's self-esteem and confidence. Schneider mentions the inner critic as a barrier to showcasing one's talents, emphasizing the importance of overcoming this mental obstacle. This keyword is crucial for understanding the video's message about the psychological challenges faced by musicians.

💡Making Good Music

Making good music refers to the process of creating music that is of high quality and has artistic merit. Schneider encourages a shift in focus from being good at music to making good music, which can alleviate the pressure on the individual and emphasize the collaborative and creative aspects of music-making. This keyword is central to the video's message about finding a healthier approach to music-making.

💡Soloist

A soloist is a musician who performs alone, often showcasing their individual skills. Schneider contrasts the soloist mentality with that of being part of a band, where the focus is more on making good music collectively. The concept of a soloist is important in the video as it highlights the different pressures and mindsets associated with individual versus group music-making.

💡Healthy Practicing

Healthy practicing refers to engaging in musical practice in a way that is physically, mentally, and emotionally sustainable. Schneider discusses the importance of healthy practicing habits, such as proper posture and avoiding over-practicing to the point of injury. This keyword is significant as it encapsulates the video's advocacy for a balanced approach to music practice.

Highlights

Jeff Schneider discusses the effects of practicing for long hours, such as 12-hour days, on musicians.

Inspired by Charlie Parker's interview, Jeff believed that practicing 11-15 hours a day was necessary for mastery.

Jeff's personal experience of practicing excessively led to physical issues like tendonitis.

The difference in self-confidence when practicing in high school versus music school is highlighted.

The self-consciousness in music school led to students hiding their practice sessions.

Jeff reflects on the identity crisis musicians face when their self-worth becomes tied to their musical ability.

The paradox of needing to practice to improve but the negative impact it can have on self-esteem is explored.

The importance of healthy practicing, including physical therapy and proper technique, is mentioned.

Jeff acknowledges the lack of focus on the mental side of practicing within music schools.

The danger of tying personal identity too closely to musical performance is discussed.

Jeff emphasizes that a person's worth is not defined by their musical ability.

The distinction between 'being good at music' and 'making good music' is introduced.

The benefits of focusing on making good music rather than individual performance are explained.

The concept of a band versus a soloist's mentality in the context of making music is examined.

Jeff encourages musicians to shift their focus from personal performance to the collective musical outcome.

The message of separating musical ability from personal worth is reinforced for both the audience and Jeff himself.

Jeff concludes with a reflection on the importance of this message for musicians' mental health and well-being.

Transcripts

hey everybody Jeff Schneider here and

today we're talking about how to

practice for a long time that's actually

not what we're talking about today we're

talking about the effects of practicing

for a long time like 12-hour days so

back when I was a freshman in high

school I read this interview with

Charlie Parker and in it he says and I

used to put in at least 11 from 11 to 15

hours a day yeah that's that's what I

wondered that's true yes I did that for

over a period of 3 or four years oh yeah

I guess that's the answer that really

set the bar for me as far as what was

necessary to get good at improvising the

saxophone jazz music whatever so I I

kind of took on this belief that okay if

I'm going to get good I need to practice

a lot so I would spend all night

practicing set aside any like serious

schoolwork and just uh focused on

shedding my lip would bleed onto my re

I'd have to stick like this crumpled up

piece of tissue on my bottom teeth just

to keep my teeth from hurting my lip in

college I got tendonitis so I really put

my my body through the ringer but I got

a lot of skills that way you get good

when you do something a lot no surprise

there but what was interesting was

thinking back to the difference in my

shedding between high school and college

in high school I was like this big fish

in a small pond so sometimes I would

practice like in the band room when I

had some free time and if people were in

there with me or walking through the

hall I didn't care because I felt like

really good about my playing and then in

music school where everybody was just

amazing there was a lot more of that

self-conscious don't listen to me maybe

I'll play quietly I'll practice

something that I feel comfortable with I

you know there there were a lot of kids

at school who would actually put their

music stands in the windows of the door

to block the view of anyone walking past

so no one would be able to tell who was

practicing in that room there was this

like joke amongst the Jazz musicians

that only the classical musicians would

do that and and the cool thing to do was

just leave the window

open but if the music stand happened to

be there already I left it there and

that actually ties into the real problem

with practicing so much and just playing

so much in general is that you know if

you're

practicing an hour or two a day it's

kind of like a hobby and maybe if you're

practicing 4 hours a day it's kind of

more like a

job but once you start doing something

eight 9 10 11 12 hours a day it really

becomes part of your identity and the

issue with that is is that if you're not

sounding good then you're not feeling

good about yourself and if you're

sounding great then you're feeling great

about yourself and it's just this

volatile it's a roller coaster of

selfworth and it's Paradox because on

the one hand you need to practice to get

better but as I said when you do it so

much and it becomes more and more of

your identity it's really hard to

separate the two and make it and make a

distinction between your your worth as a

person and your ability to play the

saxophone or the piano or whatever you

know there's something to be said for

healthy practicing and I think when most

people think about that it's like okay

how do you you know how do you hold your

instrument properly or sit up with good

posture and all the rest and there's

Alexander technique and you know all of

these physical therapies that are

tailored to musicians like I said I got

tendonitis in um my freshman year of

music school and I learned these

stretches to get my my wrists and my

forearms to feel better and that that

worked but that was all physical it

didn't address there were no therapies

to address the mental side of things and

I'm sure there are if you go seek that

out but it wasn't something that was

made known within that music school

music school Community I don't know if

things have changed since then but I

don't think it's talked about enough

this idea of your identity being

attached to how well you play and um

that's dangerous because I've known

amazing

musicians with enormous amounts of

talent and dedication who couldn't

showcase their talents and who couldn't

showcase their abilities because of the

uh that voice in the head that that um

that inner critic your worth as a person

is not how well you play the saxophone

or the piano and I'm talking to you but

I'm also talking to myself another

mental shift that I've tried to make and

encourage others to make is this idea of

getting good at music versus making good

music what's the difference between

being good at music and making good

music if you focus on making good music

it becomes something bigger than

yourself and you're not so attached to

it and I think this is actually the

advantage of like a band versus being a

a Hired Gun where you're just a soloist

when you have a band it's about making

good music when it's like a soloist

mentality it's being good at soloing or

whatever that's something to mle over

are you focusing on being good or are

you focusing on making good music and if

you focus on making good music it takes

that

that pressure off the individual and it

it puts the focus on the music itself

rather than how well you're doing it the

quality of your work there's importance

there of course and you can you can work

to improve it but it's separate from

your worthiness as a person this is a

message I wish I I don't know if I heard

it if I did before it didn't land it's

Landing with me now so hopefully for

some of you it's Landing as well thanks

for watching and I'll see you in the

next one bye