"Practicing" by Glenn Kurtz

Passacaglia

Hey all, not sure where to put this. I've enjoyed reading this book. A former classical prodigy returns to playing after swearing off his instrument for 10 years. He's a stellar writer (PhD in comparative lit from Stanford; doesn't make you a writer, but he's a contemplative fellow with a gift for narrative, in my opinion).

Among other gems, wasn't aware previously of Segovia's daily routine. 5 hours, no more, broken up into 1.25 hour slots of focused practice (the book, "The Talent Code" - highly recommend as well; "deep practice" as one of the cornerstones of myelinization - i.e., developing skill). In between these "chunks" of deep practice, life as usual with friends, exercise, etc. I'm aware most don't have this kind of free time, but I think it's useful nonetheless. For me, it's 1.25 (x2) of Christiaan/Nous'che's rhythm course and any new songs (accompaniment); 1.25 on soloing (right now, RA), 1.25 on waltzes. Various "intruders" (of my doing) have made that good intention a bit of a mockery lately, but looking forward to returning to a regular, consciously designed, routine.

Buco

Oh yeah, read that a few years ago.
Loved it, I'll have to pick it up again soon.

Buco

Depends on what you consider or don't consider as practice.

You have a link for that YouTube stuff? I'd like to see it.

Passacaglia

Yep, I enjoyed the book quite a bit, and could relate to it....not that I was ever a music conservatory prodigy, lol, but I've certainly pursued things with a hunger that can slide so easily from "drive" to "choking obsession," so found the book, almost spiritually, helpful. Timely exchange with another player I respect a good deal....talking of a dispassionate, dis-attachment, with "problems" just to be attended to, as a skilled tinkerer might approach his trade. Another guy worked in a similar way, I've heard.

Interesting clip between Yehudi and Stephane - if memory serves, that's included in the Stephane doc., "Life in the Jazz Century," yes?

Jazzaferri

Yes it is.

At 5 hours a day, if you keep this up Paul, you ate gping to get seriuosly proficient

Archtop Eddy

The way he's holding that Wegen pick -- must be a lefty... :P AE

Passacaglia

Man, do NOT mention the word "Pick."

Jazzaferri wrote:

At 5 hours a day, if you keep this up Paul, you ate gping to get seriuosly proficient

I think at 5 hours a day, given my obsessive tendencies, I'll have a great sounding "ii" of a C ii-V-I, in about a year and a half. "Smith, yep, beautiful Dm7. Too bad everything else sucks."

Buco

Hahaha, if there's a picture with pinched fingers Ed will see a Wegen in it.
That's too fuuny man.

Which model you see this guy using?

Archtop Eddy

Buco wrote:

Hahaha, Which model you see this guy using?

A special picture like this deserves a special "plectrum".

Here's an "natural" Wegen pick made from South African buffalo horn rather than his usual magical material. Lefty, of course... AE

Passacaglia

Eddy, you're almost like "Kilroy was Here." I expect to see little plectrum sightings at various fenceposts, hedges and stop signs, now.

Is that Wegen a custom? Do you play it? I like it's shape.

Buco

Archtop Eddy wrote:

A special picture like this deserves a special "plectrum".

Here's an "natural" Wegen pick made from South African buffalo horn rather than his usual magical material. Lefty, of course... AE

That's awesome!
I was looking at it in my car while parked when I got home today, windows were rolled down and I laughed so loud that some people on the street turned and looked over.

"for every flavor you desire there is a Wegen"