Practice.

Practice when you're tired, practice when you're sad.

Practice when you're under pressure; practice when there's nothing happening.

Practice when you don't feel so good; practice when it's raining

out; practice when you're in love; practice when you're in

debt...practice when you're in Topeka, even. Practice when you're

tired ; practice when there's no reason on Earth to do so; practice

practice practice practice practice practice practice practice

practice practice practice practice.

For the sake of practicing.

You've been practicing in order to satisfy outside needs...this

ensemble, that recital, etc.

That is a way, I suppose...but there is a stronger way.

Practice because that's who you are and that's what you do.

No hope of reward...not even playing "better".

Just practice.

Approached this way. practicing becomes life, w/all its ups +

downs, and when your playing is your LIFE...then you begin to find

some things out.

Later...

S. (aka Sam Burtis)