Okay, it's time to have a heart to heart chat!
Players often confuse the amount of time that has passed
with the amount of time they practice. For instance, students
may become frustrated at their progress and I'll say, "you
are making great progress. What's the problem?" Their response
is, "I have been practicing for a year; I should be much
better. How long is this going to take?" I explain that actual
practice time is what counts, not just the duration of time
that passes.
To illustrate, I'll add up their approximate yearly play and
practice time. Let's see, you take a one hour lesson per week
and play another hour and a half in that week. That's two and
a half hours a week. And much of that time is not intensive
practice. Two and a half hours a week times four equals ten
hours a month. Multiply ten hours by twelve months and you
have 120 hours a year of practice and play.
In contrast, when a pro is learning he or she plays a minimum
of three and a half hours a day, six days a week. That's 21
hours a week, 84 hours a month. In a month and a half the pro
has practiced 126 hours. That's more than you have practiced
in a year! In reality, your 120 hours of practice in a year is
equivalent to the pro's practice in a month and a half. Hey,
for only a month and half of practice time, you're doing
great!
I'm not telling you to practice three or four hours a day
(unless you have the time). But you must keep your perspective
as you are learning. Do not confuse time passing with time
practiced. Your progress will be determined only by the amount
of time you have played and practiced.
Now, get back out there and log in more quality practice time.
I don't want to have this discussion with you again! :)
