Effective Practicing

Three years ago, I decided to take a trip up to Boston. I had been feeling good about myself. I was in the finals for an audition, one of the largest regional orchestras in the area. I went up with a purpose to meet the great clarinet player/teacher, Michael Wayne (of Boston Symphony, Eastman.)

I played some excerpts for him, as well as Mozart concerto. I felt like I was playing well, but I got a new one tore in me. What happened? I thought I played well, but he could tell I was not practicing effectively.

I had been practicing 5-6 hours a day, every single day. I thought I was doing a good job. Was I lying to myself?

Maybe.

He opened my eyes to a new method of practicing, one that would change the way I practice, and give me a new outlook on life.

Out of respect for his teaching, I will not disclose the way he taught me.

So what exactly was the point of all this that I’m saying?

What you think in your mind, may not be necessarily true. I thought I had a great method of practicing. Maybe getting to finals was a fluke? Maybe, maybe not. What is important, that I noticed, is to find second opinions. We all see things differently, regardless of what we’re looking at.

Take a color. The pantone number would be the same, same physical characteristics from person to person. This is an indisputable fact. However, would the two people see the same thing? We can only describe this color, but we can not experience the same thing.

This is not the case with everything. There are many authentic activities, experiences, that can be described subjectively. Questioning yourself is something that is underrated. People pose themselves as confident to allow others to view them more positively. I consider the person that questions their choices every step of the way, to make sure they are on the right side of life, to be the wiser.