The Masters - Practice Rountines

[accordions4eva]

This may not be a thread that some may find interesting, but for me I find it fascinating to know how the guys I listen to practice/d - specifically when they just became known.

eg. - I've read that Charlie Parker & John Coltrane & Oscar Peterson practiced for up to 18 hours a day. It's obvious that this practice schedule never lasted throughout their careers, but to get to the level they reached I quite believe they put in that hours.

What I really want is the practice routine these guys followed. More so Herbie Hancock & Wayne Shorter. I can't seem to find ANY information on Herbie or Wayne's practice routine, so if anyone has a link they can provide or any general information then I'd appreciate your input dearly!

Many thanks

a4e

[jazz oud]

While it is certainly interesting and enlightening to know what some of masters practiced, I think it is more complicated than that.

Every person is different, and come to learning music with a different set of strengths and weaknesses. The important thing is to figure out what works for you, how to play to your strengths and to overcome your weaknesses.

One person might find that technical facility comes very naturally, but has difficulty with aural perception. Another might find that they have good ears, but have difficulty grasping theoretical concepts. One person might just play classical etudes all the time while another might spend most of their time improvising, but they come to similar results.

I think that half of one's practice time, especially when starting out, is really about figuring out how to practice effectively and what works for them. The other half is usually dealing with the mechanics of playing the instrument and improving aural perception.

Practicing as much as possible is key. There is a commonly repeated maxim nowadays that it takes about 10,000 hours to become exceptionally good at something. If you treated practicing like a full-time job (8 hours a day, 5 days a week), it takes about 5 years to get to that number. Whether or not it's an accurate assessment, it does give a rough idea of what is required.

[accordions4eva]

Hi jazz oud, thanks again for coming to my rescue! lol

So, in short; To strengthen your strengths, address & practice your weaknesses.

If this is true, my strengths are technique while my weaknesses are theory, harmony & ear training. For me to strengthen my strengths, I could practice scales & arpeggios while strengthening my weaknesses I could transcribe records, study theory & harmony & also play with other (better) jazz musicians.

Do you think this is a fair sum up?

I'm still really interested in Herbie's practice routine though if anyone has the information!

[jazz oud]

Well, I meant it a little more broadly but I think you're on the right track.

Transcribing and ear training are always good activities.

The more you practice the more you will discover your own path.

I have heard that Herbie studied classical piano quite a bit.

[jazzman1945]

Originally Posted by jazz oud

I have heard that Herbie strudied classical piano quite a bit.

You may have had in mind another pianist? Hancock studied music as it should be, and in 15 years had to decide whether to continue as a classical pianist or a jazz.
http://jazz.about.com/od/classicjazz...ie-Hancock.htm

[jazz oud]

Originally Posted by jazzman1945

You may have had in mind another pianist? Hancock studied music as it should be, and in 15 years had to decide whether to continue as a classical pianist or a jazz.
http://jazz.about.com/od/classicjazz...ie-Hancock.htm

I don't understand what you mean, but from the link you posted:
"He studied classical music from a very young age, and when he was 11 years old, he was invited to play with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra along with other prodigal talents."

[princeplanet]

Try googling Clifford Brown practicing or John Coltrane practicing. I have heard these practice routines of their's. Long and complicated, who woulda guessed!

[jazzman1945]

Originally Posted by jazz oud

I don't understand what you mean, but from the link you posted:
"He studied classical music from a very young age, and when he was 11 years old, he was invited to play with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra along with other prodigal talents."

I'm sorry, but "studied classical piano quite a bit" can not be said about Herbie Hancock. Someone from whom You heard it , some wrong ...

[jazz oud]

Originally Posted by jazzman1945

I'm sorry, but "studied classical piano quite a bit" can not be said about Herbie Hancock. Someone from whom You heard it , some wrong ...

Well, I provided a source and here are two more.

According to Herbie's website:

Born in Chicago in 1940, Herbie was a child piano prodigy who performed a Mozart piano concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 11.

From Wikipedia:

Hancock started with a classical music education. He studied from age seven, and his talent was recognized early. Considered a child prodigy,[4] he played the first movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 5 at a young people's concert with the Chicago Symphony at age eleven.[5]

I guess it depends on whether you consider 10 years to qualify as "quite a bit" or not. Certainly he is not a Gould, Horowitz or Schiff, but by jazz standards he has a substantial classical background.

Perhaps there is a mistranslation at work here.

[jazzman1945]

Originally Posted by jazz oud

I guess it depends on whether you consider 10 years to qualify as "quite a bit" or not.

You can talk about learning a lot in a short time, it is also the indication of talent. Here's another somewhat resembling example : Murray Perahia .

Certainly he is not a Gould, Horowitz or Schiff, but by jazz standards he has a substantial classical background.

Since it is impossible to compare Gould - Hancock relates to romantic - Impressionistic style, and my feeling as a former professional classical performer of chamber and symphonic music (played with Claude Frank, A. Rubinstein, H.Menuhin, and other eminent pianists) Herbie Hancock had the potential become a outstanding American classical pianist at all.

[/QUOTE]

[guitarjazz]

Originally Posted by accordions4eva

This may not be a thread that some may find interesting, but for me I find it fascinating to know how the guys I listen to practice/d - specifically when they just became known.

eg. - I've read that Charlie Parker & John Coltrane & Oscar Peterson practiced for up to 18 hours a day. It's obvious that this practice schedule never lasted throughout their careers, but to get to the level they reached I quite believe they put in that hours.

What I really want is the practice routine these guys followed. More so Herbie Hancock & Wayne Shorter. I can't seem to find ANY information on Herbie or Wayne's practice routine, so if anyone has a link they can provide or any general information then I'd appreciate your input dearly!

Many thanks

a4e

There is book Wayne Shorter transcriptions that contains an introduction where Wayne discusses his early practice habits. The thing that I remember is that he said he always practiced 'hard' things.

[accordions4eva]

Originally Posted by guitarjazz

There is book Wayne Shorter transcriptions that contains an introduction where Wayne discusses his early practice habits. The thing that I remember is that he said he always practiced 'hard' things.

This is helpful! Thank you! I'll browse through Amazon to source the book. Can you remember what the book is called?

Thanks again!

[accordions4eva]

Originally Posted by jazzman1945

Since it is impossible to compare Gould - Hancock relates to romantic - Impressionistic style, and my feeling as a former professional classical performer of chamber and symphonic music (played with Claude Frank, A. Rubinstein, H.Menuhin, and other eminent pianists) Herbie Hancock had the potential become a outstanding American classical pianist at all.

Sorry, I don't quite understand what it is you're meaning here. Could you elaborate a bit deeper? Thanks.

[guitarjazz]

Originally Posted by accordions4eva

This is helpful! Thank you! I'll browse through Amazon to source the book. Can you remember what the book is called?

Thanks again!

This is it:
http://www.amazon.com/Artist-Transcr.../dp/0711979480

Looks like there is a new edition out also with a newer cover. I haven't seen it but I bet the preface is the same.

[accordions4eva]

Originally Posted by guitarjazz

This is it:
http://www.amazon.com/Artist-Transcr.../dp/0711979480

Looks like there is a new edition out also with a newer cover. I haven't seen it but I bet the preface is the same.

Excellent. Thanks for this! I've put the new edition book in my amazon wish list as the original book was £20 more!

Thanks again!

a4e