1 1/2 to 2 hours a day is still pretty good. Some days I'm lucky to get a half hour in due to other obligations. Maybe you should look at your practice routine. What do you enjoy? Maybe get some new backing tracks to jam over or find some people to improv with. Have fun and don't make it a chore.

 

I agree that 1.5 - 2 hours a day is pretty good - but you mention that is now hard for you.

You used to feel motivated enough to practice 3 hours a day. Either you were perceiving some kind of reward when you were doing this, or you were believing that this practicing would get you to some place eventually. What has changed? Whatever it is may be related to why you went through the burnout period.

You mention school as if it were the past tense. Are you now out of school, and if so has that lessened your options for playing with other players? Not being able to play with others can be a real downer: you practice alot, get your chops in good shape, but you are all dressed up with no where to go.

 

I have a hard time just practicing 1.5 or 2 hours.

Can anyone help me or give me any advice?

You've lost sight of your goals, or you feel your goals are impossible to attain, or both.

Do you play in a band? Usually gigs are the greatest motivation to practice.

It's natural, dude. We all go through it. Other things in life sneak up the priority list. It's cyclical. Pretty soon the sax will make its way back. Don't stress yourself over it, alright?

 

Dude, if your practicing an hour a day, that's damned good.

 

http://www.artistshousemusic.org/vi...rg/videos/a+master+class+in+playing+jazz+with+pianist+kenny+werner+full+session

 

Read Effortless Mastery or Inner Game then come back to us....

 

what i do is i listen to cds that I really dig with some of my favorite saxophone players like john coltrane, michael brecker, or joshua redman and then it motivates me and makes me really, really want to practice! perhaps you should try doing that?

listen to kind of blue and then admire cannonball's or coltrane's playing!

 

Hi Paul,

I posted this in another thread, but I think this will really work for you too.

Music is a gift and maybe something is tarnishing the enjoyment. What about if you went and played for people who would appreciate it? Childrens' Hospitals and elderly homes are always wanting visitors and people to cheer up the residents. Maybe you could go and play for them? Learn some kids songs and give them a little concert, and ask the kids to dance. If you have backing tapes there's no reason you can't make a real BANG in the activity room while answering their questions about the instrument or letting them share stories with you.

When I was younger, there was a bunch of kids at school who bullied me because I still had toys in grade 7. Instead of checking on them (they were hypocrits!), I got rid of my toys but gave them to the local hospital. We took them in person and there's nothing more cheering than seeing a whole lot of intrigued eyes following you, then giggles and excitement of kids. I've never forgotten that beautiful feeling and I donate to charities and help online where I can so I can relive that. Maybe your performances in hospitals or elderly homes will bring you the same joy? I assure you, the shine you get after making people happy is worth a million dollars!

PS - If you've got an audience applauding and clapping along, it won't feel like practice

 

Playing with other people is the number 1 kick in the pants for me....or play-along C.D.'s with music I have never played before always helped my moments of burn out. Recording yourself and listening to what you really sound like and what needs improvement can help. I don't burn out that often anymore but when I do, trying to find a different approach or sound to my playing by getting a tiny bit of GAS, like buying a new mouthpiece or trying reeds I have never tried brings me back to life. Sometimes just playing in a different part of my house to get different acoustics makes me feel like I have a different horn. If you are practicing 1 1/2 hrs. a day, try playing only 1/2 hr. or stopping before you feel the burn out. Force yourself to play only at certain times and make sure you put your horn away so you have the ritual of setting up that sparks the desire to play. Letting your horn sit there so it is available to pick up at any time used to make me just say "I'll do it later".

 

Hey guys and girl,
thanks for all the support and advice. I really appreciate it. I think a combination of all the stuff you guys mentioned will help me a lot. there are some new things in there I hadn't thought of, I'll be sure to give everything a try.
Thanks,
Paul