Practice Makes Better

Steve Raybine:

Blog #53:

Practice Makes Better

As I was contemplating what to write about today, my friends, I read an article about Ringo Starr turning 70 years old in July, 2010. As I was nearing the end of the article, the following quote caught my eye. The article says, "the latter accomplishment comes despite the fact that Starr doesn't practice, and that he had surgery to remove blockages in both shoulders four years ago"--"repetitive drumming syndrome," he half-jokes. "I've never practiced because there's no joy in just sitting there and hitting the drums. I need melody; I need to bounce off a bass player, a guitarist, the piano player."

Well, after I almost choked on my oatmeal with raspberries, I couldn't help but think of one of my Raybineisms'--"Practice Makes Better!" Ever since I've been a very young lad, I always thought that Ringo was the weakest musician within the Beatles. Mind you, I'm not saying that he didn't keep solid time (the primary function of any drummer), and that he isn't a lovable and friendly guy, but to never practice your instrument? Please! On another note, however, I do agree with him that most musicians are musically inspired when they have the opportunity to interact with other instrumentalists.

For myself and for most of my students, we practice in relative solitude. I memorize chord progressions to my songs in solitude; I practice and try to perfect the phrasing of my songs in solitude; I run scales and arpeggios on my instrument in solitude; I practice licks and riffs on my instrument in solitude. As for writing music, I also do this in solitude, where I can think and frame the song's melody, harmony and rhythmic structure in deep and thoughtful concentration.

Hey, I like to 'jam along' with other instrumentalists, too--after I've practiced some new concepts and maintained my improvisational chops alone in my studio. Yes, music is meant to be a communicative art form. However, how much you bring to the musical table depends upon what you've been practicing. Practicing by yourself keeps you sharp and yes,...practice makes you better. Think you can master the myriad of Latin and Afro-Cuban drumming styles by not woodshedding alone in your studio? Or, try some intricate and advanced independently-generated Swing music on your drums--at a rapid tempo! Hey, how about mastering the Funk/Soul/R&B drumming lineage of all the great practitioners past and present? I have one word for you.....GO Practice! Oops, that's two words. I don't know about you, but I've got a gig tomorrow and I'm gonna go practice--by myself!

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