[jacobeid]

I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right spot, but I've been having some problems lately that have been really overwhelming.

I've become so obsessed with playing and listening to anything in the jazz world that it's completely taken over my life. At school I can't concentrate during lectures because I'm thinking about some lick I heard in a song earlier that morning. When I'm home I can't do my schoolwork efficiently because I lose my concentration and have to go blow over a tune. I tried to alleviate this by going to the library to do my schoolwork since I won't be tempted by my horns, but then I just start singing music in my head.

I believe once marching band is over it may get better. Right now I only have around 4 hours at home, and since I'm taking multiple honors and AP courses, I have around 3-4 hours of homework per night leaving hardly any time to practice. Once marching band is over I'll have around 8 or 9 hours at home, so I'll be able to get my 4-5 hours of practice in a day like I did over summer and then still have time to do my schoolwork.

Does anyone else have this problem. Any ideas on how to fix it?

Thanks!

Jacob

 

[freeflier]

Yeah, several.

One, only do enough homework, and study just barely enough, to get an A in each class. Spend the rest of your time playing.

Two, keep in mind that being a musician is a lot more fun when you got something else going that pays the bills. The better you do in school, the more pleasant that "other" job is going to be, and better paying - meaning you'll be able to spend less time working and more time playing.

And finally, three... You've made 1,341 posts since Feb 2006. Maybe a little less time on-line?

 

[Martinman]

Are you planning on being a music major, millitary band member, or just go straight to being a pro player? If so, embrace this, forget about doing enough homework to get A's, you won't be going to Harvard. A mix of As Bs and Cs will do. I got into Indiana (not for music) with a B average.

If not, I would suggest laying off the horn for a bit and trying to refocus.

 

[bandmommy]

Please don't let the studies suffer!!!
Keep those grades up. Put in any extra time you can over the weekend and Holiday breaks.
Better grades, better College/University, better job later. You don't want to do anything now that will come back to bite you in the butt later.

 

[NU2SAX]

I agree with Bandmommy. And with spending less time on line. Is it possible for you to organize your day a little bit differently so that you can set aside a satisfactory amount of time with your horns and also get your work done? As someone who works, but works a lot of the time at home, I generally set aside a couple of hours at the same time every day to practice. I have to be disciplined because I have work to get done, a house to keep up, and a dog to walk, etc. So set aside that time to practice. If I get another hour in the evening to play it's icing on the cake. I've rearranged my day, and started getting up earlier to get work done so that I can juggle the obligations and the things I want to do. Often I even make a list of things to get done, and what my schedule for a given day needs to be in order to "have it all" as they say. Disciplining yourself now at an early age will pay off in the future no matter what you do....

 

[jacobeid]

First off, during the school year I'm only on here for about 10-20 minutes a day when I'm taking a break from homework. I click the new posts button and glance through anything interesting.

I'm not willing to let my grades suffer. Right now I'm undecided on a path of history or music. Needless to say, all of the colleges I'm looking at have very high expectations of their students. My number one school is Oberlin, and it's pretty tough to get in. Right now I'm at a 4.3 GPA with multiple AP and honors courses, plus several community service based clubs. Basically, school can't suffer.

I do get a lot of practicing done even when I have band going on. I sacrifice some sleep so I can still get two hours in a day.

My question is not time management based, but rather to see if anyone has any tips or techniques that allow them to completely focus on their work without distractions.

 

[saintsday]

Be here now.

Try a meditation break. Or relaxation and breathing excercises.

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

Here's one for all of us, spend less time on the Internet!

 

[Martinman]

I do get a lot of practicing done even when I have band going on. I sacrifice some sleep so I can still get two hours in a day.

How much sleep are you getting? I had major trouble concentrating in school when I was getting about 5 hours or less a night (and was working my butt off all day).