[Tim Price]

For one reason or another there has to exist enough desire to maintain a practice for the long term. It's true in any field. Of course it's not all a bed or roses, but the returns have been satisfying for me -and continue to be. Actually, as I get older, there is more of a feeling of appreciation for the skills and talent which I've developed.

Perhaps and expansion of your practice into some more enjoyable areas would
spice things up for you. Concentrate for a while on things you enjoy--also,
some type of physical exercise is sometimes necessary to balance and
complement your musical practice since music can tend to be like a desk job at
times. The saxophone is not really a solo instrument in the same way that a
piano is-so the rewards of playing the sax only really come in
performance......recording and things like that. Then of course, there is the
money issue. How to make a living playing music---always an interesting
subject.

So there is another interesting aspect of music--competition. It exists. Whether or not you get caught up in it depends on many things. Let's first assume that everyone is independently wealthy--no money problems. It's difficult to separate out this "pure" love of music from the other.

But, what is really the alternative. A practice offers psychological benefits
which, in the long run, greatly enhance ones ' quality of life.

 

[jrvinson45]

Above all, if you don't practice... START... The rest is easy.

 

[bluesaxgirl]

I agree with you a lot. Sometimes, the only way I can motivate myself to practice is if I have an upcoming audition. But nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment after performing when you know you practiced to get there.

 

[dha]

I enjoy practicing. I don't find it a chore and never did. I would do more of it if I had the time, and when I did have more time to spend practicing it was very benificial.
One thing I don't do now that I did always in the past while practicing is playing along with recordings. I don't mean lifting things, I mean just putting on a recording you love
and simply playing freely with the recording. I found it a lot of fun to be able to play with the great rythm sections, but I neglected the form of the tunes I was playing along with.
I would then just play outside the form ,and that my friends is not good when someone calls All The Things You Are....I soon realized I needed to stick to the melody to stay inside
the form. There is so much in music to practice one would need several lifetimes to practice a fraction of what there is to learn. I now just focus on a few things at a time realizing my age
and time limit I have now to practice in this busy life.

 

[Mike Cesati]

Nice Post Tim !
For me most of the actual enjoyment of saxophone playing comes from daily practice. I RARELY miss a day but what I accomplish each day varies.
I am just going to transcribe good stuff I hear from here on in. I'm 55 and don't have to make a living at this and realistically I couldn't. But I do gig and rehearse with other players and I also play out at jams etc. and it's a passion I wouldn't do well without.
Foremost the practicing is the most rewarding. My day is complete with a good practice session. Keep the journey going. Bergonzi calls it Jazz Yoga

 

[dogster]

Don't bother me I am practicing lol