Why practice? Why get better?

[WilliamLang]

I answered the question simply and honestly, from my own perspective, without commenting on you.

"And to circle back to the Kobe ethic, when doing all that practice, if you're not trying to be the best (you can be), what the hell are you doing?" (ed. added quotations)

Trying to make beautiful sounds for people, not concerning myself with ideas about being the best.

Those sounds might not be all that beautiful if you suck and don’t care that you suck. And remember, we modified Kobe’s quote to refer to the best you can be, not, like, the best in the universe.

Also recall that I specifically disapproved of the notion of music as a competitive event.

I think you may have twisted my intent.

[GGJazz]

Hi all .

Personally , I love to practice , as I love to perform , as I love to teach .
I always am trying to improve my playing , in any aspect .
I hope to die with the trombone in my hands...

Anyway , we are all different , as everybody knows.

OP asked specific questions : "why practice ? / why get better? "
Then she provides reasons for her doubts in this regard : " what if you are already the best player in a hundred miles in any direction ? / what if being better wont get you any additional playing opportunities ? " , and more .

So , in my opinion , if one has this kind of thoughts , it may be better just to practice to maintain one's current skill level , without trying to improve any further .
Considering that she is already a very good player , I guess it is ok !

Improving shouldn't be an obligation , but a personal need , and a great satisfaction !

Regards
Giancarlo

[Bach5G]

I’m not going to spend any more time on TBD’s existential issues as I have to go practice.

[musicofnote]

"And to circle back to the Kobe ethic, when doing all that practice, if you're not trying to be the best (you can be), what the hell are you doing?" (ed. added quotations)

Trying to make beautiful sounds for people, not concerning myself with ideas about being the best.

Those sounds might not be all that beautiful if you suck and don’t care that you suck. And remember, we modified Kobe’s quote to refer to the best you can be, not, like, the best in the universe.

Also recall that I specifically disapproved of the notion of music as a competitive event.

I think you may have twisted my intent.

I remember a discussion I had with the director of the music school who hired me 3/4 of a life ago. He LOVED the idea of the American public education music systems, where the basic idea was NOT to produce the brightest and bestest players, but rather to expose all children to the beauty of music and through that exposure, allow those with innate abilities and drive (what some now call "talent") the opportunity to start making and discover the magic of music. Why why he so enamoured with this idea? Because he grew up in a music education system, that started on the second day of instruction of weeding out those who "couldn't keep up" out and supplying the best for the best. His idea was, by allowing both the best and the not-so-best to make music side by side, we created our successors in the profession, but also "created" the paying public for our concerts, recordings and publications. And many of the not-the-best players continue to play and keep their love e for music alive, which they then pay to feed at the box office and cash register. Since my second week at the conservatory, I became aware of my basic mediocrity, which did not diminish my love for music, nor did it diminish my desire to, 100th millimetre at a time strive to increase my abilities. If some think I suck more than I do, I don't give a rat's ass. If others think I play well (such as many of my employers, colleagues and audiences) I find that nice. But I still play for me and my ears and am aware, that I sound different to other ears than to my own. But as far as i'm concerned, it's my ears that count. So I play and entertain MY ears. And I long since stopped playing unmusical exercises and only play music during the time I invest, that others are free to label "practice".

[claf]

I hate to practice, but I have to do it to get better (I'm far from playing half as good as many people here).
I found that the best thing for me was practicing 10 minutes per day each day: I won't get bored and I see some improvements.
I also like "rush periods" where I have just a few days to learn a new repertoire, that's the only time I enjoy practicing (I practice the music I have to play and some exercises I find relevant to this repertoire).

But I also would like to play as good as most people here...

[LeTromboniste]

I don't love practicing enough to do it for its own sake. I'm sure that I'll put the trombone away completely when I retire.

I practice because I love to play with my colleagues, and I want to stay good enough to contribute to every situation and be a musician they can count on.

I practice because I have a responsibility to my students to be able to demonstrate what I'm trying to teach them.

I practice because I love the in-the-moment rush of performing, and I need the facility that comes with consistent practice to be able to focus on the music-making rather than the technique.

This!

[JTeagarden]

Because music is about the rare moments when things align, and something magical and transcendent happens, a timeless beautiful thing.

Practicing makes those moments more likely.

It's not about becoming perfect, it's about being ready for those rare moments.

I have always been happiest when I have things in my life that are meaningful and give me purpose, and some of those things require a kind of "table stakes" to be able to enjoy. I have a good ear, and have been exposed to many different styles and performers over my life, I can discern the difference between music that is beautifully played, and music which is not, so the second I start detracting from that beauty, I hope I have the decency to stop playing.

For now, music gives me a decent "bang for my buck," in terms of return on my practicing investment, but the second it stops, the horn goes back in the case.

[harrisonreed]

Because music is about the rare moments when things align, and something magical and transcendent happens, a timeless beautiful thing.

Listen to the master -- thank you Jack Teagarden!!

[slidesix]

For me if I didn't practice regularly I doubt I would stay the best player within one hundred miles. So that would be enough to motivate me. For me, as long as I have enough range and endurance, that usually lets me do what I need to in rehearsals and performances. So that was historically what I practice. I felt as a former principal that's what I needed to lead.

Also for me, within one hundred miles includes both the Cleveland Institute of Music and The Cleveland Orchestra--so I wish!

I dunno. My mom always reminded me it was not possible for mean to learn everything (WRT to science). So I assume this applies to playing and skill as well.

As to what to practice? I typically let my goals decide that. I ask myself, what do I want to accomplish? Then I practice to do that and design my practices around that. So I let my thoughts and goals guide me. If I don't have any goals, then I ask myself, "self, what do I want to do?" And Iet my feelings guide me. Usually that is enough and I can then find the motivation.

Good discussion here and good topic. Thanks sharing