How many hours per week do you practice?

[T-bone]

I'm currently reading Malcolm Gladwells latest book and was surprised by his 10,000 hour rule. Essentially, he states (and documents including a great story on The Beatles) it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become a master. So it made me wonder, how many hours per week do people practice here?

I'm probably in the 12 hour range, with practice, rehearsal, and gigs. That's a little over 500 hours per year. Dang, I have a ways to go (but then, I already knew that).

I'd be willing to bet Craig is over 10k hours. B.P. too.

tbone

 

[SightInjection]

10,000 hours... I have a long way to go. I wonder how many hours it takes to be a novice.

 

[Low End Lover]

Yes, I just heard the 10K rule as well. Best not to think how far I have to go...

 

[maddog]

What if I practiced for 5,000 hours, took an extended break, then practiced another 5,000. Would I be a master or a half-master?

 

[AnthonyD]

Once per week with the Band - 4 hours

2~3 hours per week on my own

6~7 hours per week = lot's of years to go...

 

[Freddels]

I don't believe the rehearsal and performance time counts. The practice time refers to working on new material and not going over the same stuff that you can already play.

 

[bovinehost]

I don't believe the rehearsal and performance time counts. The practice time refers to working on new material and not going over the same stuff that you can already play.

And my world came crashing down.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Does owning a bunch of Ed Friedland's DVD's count?

 

[AnthonyD]

This:

And my world came crashing down.

In response to this:

I don't believe the rehearsal and performance time counts. The practice time refers to working on new material and not going over the same stuff that you can already play.

Is very funny!



Seriously, though, I get the point but talking about the 10,000 hour rule or not, I think any minute with your instrument in your hands counts. While perhaps not as targeted as hard-core wood-shedding, there is value in rehearsal time - and certainly in performance time. This is especially true when working with Bandmates that will provide you with honest feedback and critique your playing. Our rehearsals include learning new material and with respect to stuff we already know, focus on how to make it better.

 

[maddog]

what if you are in an improvisational jazz group where every rehearsal is a performance?

or is that "every performance is a rehearsal"?

 

[bovinehost]

Does owning a bunch of Ed Friedland's DVD's count?

Let's imagine it does. How many hours per DVD? This could work out.

 

[njhammer]

I personally believe that thinking or dreaming about playing should count. Adds at least 8 hours a day for me...

 

[todddlur]

not as much as i should. i've always got the bass in my hands but it's more dabbling than anything.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I don't believe the rehearsal and performance time counts. The practice time refers to working on new material and not going over the same stuff that you can already play.

This mirrors my thoughts as well and that means that I unfortunately don't practice a lot.

On any given week I would say I play between five and eleven hours.

 

[TheAntMan]

I'm currently reading Malcolm Gladwells latest book and was surprised by his 10,000 hour rule. Essentially, he states (and documents including a great story on The Beatles) it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become a master. So it made me wonder, how many hours per week do people practice here?

I'm probably in the 12 hour range, with practice, rehearsal, and gigs. That's a little over 500 hours per year. Dang, I have a ways to go (but then, I already knew that).

I'd be willing to bet Craig is over 10k hours. B.P. too.

tbone

My big question is, did Mr. Gladwells spend 10,000 hours writing that book? If not, then it is not a 'Master' guide enough for me to use to govern my life since it would not meet the threshold that he himself is expounding.

Just saying....

--Ant

 

[OldManMusic]

Does hours reading posts on this webiste count as practice too? I'm a few hours behind the 10K goal but if all this counts, then I need to change my forum name to OldMusicMaster.

 

[TSanders]

Im not counting gigs as practice, but average about 3-4 hours a month practicing with various artists that book me, and to keep up, I practice on my own about 10-15 hours per week.

 

[adouglas]

Practice is for the weak.


…and those less lazy than my bone-idle self.

 

[Manfloozy]

Probably between 3 and 7 hours per week, not counting DVDs or forum reading.

 

[jlepre]

ZERO as I have no balls at the moment...but even when I get the 2 that are on HOLD ...........I still don't really practice very much...I'm just THAT good!