i've got some technique stuff, the assigned jazz stuff, and whatever else i might be working on at the time. sometimes i lean into one thing more than another, but i keep at them each day, even if only to keep from forgetting. sometimes i'm into it, sometimes i've very into it, and sometimes not at all but ugh, i still do it.
so last night i had my lesson, which i had to reschedule once and almost twice because of work. we always start off with some catching up, chit chat, small talk, etc., then he says "okay, cool... show me what you've been working on." without fail i immediately stumble over everything that i play every single day and all i can think is "this is not representative of what i can do". but he gets it, i know he does. so last night i say i've been working on his improvisation method. i've been working on this and that and have just started incorporating this other thing. and he's like "great, let me hear it." i start doing my thing and as i'm playing he's calling out commands, "okay, play the 3's and 5's only", "now the 5's and 7's", "okay now say the chords as you play them", etc. and without missing a beat i followed the instructions. he finally says "okay, cool... you can stop. that was great. sorry, i kept you going i just like hearing when my students actually grasp the material".
hey now.
okay, a comment like that goes way farther than a "that was cool!". i said an "aw shucks" and he was like look, you are clearly doing the work. you can't fake this stuff. there is no trick or shortcut, it's just daily, unexciting repetition and you're doing it. and i am. i do not feel right if i don't get my practice in for the day. it's my ritual. it is my time and it is not to be infringed upon. the daily work is slow and often unnoticeable to me but i know that it's probably slowly accumulating in some way. his comments made an impact because he's usually like "okay, good. try this." this time, though, he saw the progress and let me know. it's there.
the holiday season has rolled around and work is bananas. the only way i can ensure i can get my practice in for the day is still to do it before work. that means i now get up at a horrific 2:45am and am in practice mode by 3am. likely this will only be for the next 2 weeks, but still. it means that much to me. speaking of which, it's a little after 7pm which means my bedtime is rapidly approaching. i'll just get in a quick 20 minutes before bed.
