Okay, it's time to have a heart to heart chat!

Players often confuse the amount of time that has passed with the amount of time they practice. For instance, students may become frustrated at their progress and I'll say, "you are making great progress. What's the problem?" Their response is, "I have been practicing for a year; I should be much better. How long is this going to take?" I explain that actual practice time is what counts, not just the duration of time that passes.

To illustrate, I'll add up their approximate yearly play and practice time. Let's see, you take a one hour lesson per week and play another hour and a half in that week. That's two and a half hours a week. And much of that time is not intensive practice. Two and a half hours a week times four equals ten hours a month. Multiply ten hours by twelve months and you have 120 hours a year of practice and play.

In contrast, when a pro is learning he or she plays a minimum of three and a half hours a day, six days a week. That's 21 hours a week, 84 hours a month. In a month and a half the pro has practiced 126 hours. That's more than you have practiced in a year! In reality, your 120 hours of practice in a year is equivalent to the pro's practice in a month and a half. Hey, for only a month and half of practice time, you're doing great!

I'm not telling you to practice three or four hours a day (unless you have the time). But you must keep your perspective as you are learning. Do not confuse time passing with time practiced. Your progress will be determined only by the amount of time you have played and practiced.

Now, get back out there and log in more quality practice time. I don't want to have this discussion with you again! :)