Raylene Rose vs. Lang Lang in the practice room

I read an article today highlighting an interview with pianist Lang Lang, 26-year-old classical pianist and music world phenomenon. He is famed for his awe-inspiring performances, incredible technical abilities, artistry, and a dramatic showmanship that generates an electric charge in his audiences. One part of this interview stood out to me, as an aspiring soloist myself:

Jim: How many hours a day do you practice?
Lang: For the first 15 years, 8 hours a day. Now, it is more like 3-4 hours, but it is certainly a daily activity, no matter the hours at this level.

Last week I set a 7 hour practice day goal for myself, and it felt AMAZING to achieve it. But it was sooo many hours. My entire day was dedicated to flute. I spent 2 hours at the gym, and went out with friends later - but the large middle chunk was all music. I adored the exhaustion I felt from it, knowing I had poured myself completely into music for entire day. I can't imagine 1, being able to achieve this everyday due to time constraints and 2, what it would feel like to have that daily skill improvement.

I have 10 weeks, 5 days until I am on a plane headed for Romania to compete in the Jeunesses International Music Competition. Before that I will also give two recitals and compete in the Skokie Valley Symphony Concerto Competition. All in all, it's about 10 pieces of music - all from memory and competition-ready. I left school to pour myself into my passion, and so I'm determined that all of these events, but especially the Romanian competition, are the best representation of what I have to offer as a young woman pouring out from the depths of her soul through the gift God gave her.

So...this Lang Lang thing and my 7 hour practice day got me thinking - could I do that too? 8 hours, everyday? I'm still in the molding years of my artistry - those first 15 he was talking about. I've played seriously for 6 years now...so 9 more years of intense practicing before I can let up? Alright, too much to think about right now. Honestly, it's about this goal for the spring competition. So I'm going to attempt this Lang Lang challenge. If he can do it, what's stopping me? I pulled out the 7 hour day...once. It will be difficult to do this 8 hour thing everyday. But I'll build to it. Tomorrow through Sunday I'll do 4-6, then starting on Monday I'll bust out the 8.

1, 2, 3 - PRACTICE!

A Monday Morning in February

I may or may not be dreaming of a beach right now...or have had a pineapple shake... 0r been listening to ukulele music the last hour...

Does anyone else find it hard to be inspired this time of year? Maybe I'm one of those weirdo sun freaks that shuts down in the middle of winter, but honestly I can't imagine anyone who wakes up in February saying "I love this month! The bitter cold, the desolate trees, the lack of sunshine...mmmm I just adore this time of year!" Maybe the polar bears, but this survey is for humans only!

Seriously, it's just a trying time of year in these cold corners of the universe. A So-Cal girl relocated to the frozen tundra, I certainly have discovered that people who live through these winters really are more tough! I saw an eighty-year-old woman shoveling her driveway the other day with the gusto of a high school jock and thought to myself, "I bet she has a lot of character and strength." This weather just does that to people. Cold? Stop crying and chip the ice off your windshield already!

I'd like to think that living here has made me more courageous, but I think my tough shell starts breaking up about the middle of February because I begin to transform my apartment into a tropical haven - heat cranked, shorts and a tank top, and yes - the pineapple shakes.

Snowpacolypse

"Snowpacolypse" has hit the Midwest and two snowed-in musicians find themselves nestled in their Vernon Avenue loft with two fluffy kitties, one apple-crumble, and three forms of entertainment (internet, t.v., & Harry Potter Book IV). Oh, and lots of daydreaming...

Last summer in Europe I tried my hand, for the first time, at taking my flute to the streets. Although this was born out of financial necessity, I discovered that I actually really enjoyed and fit into the street musician lifestyle; and, I now look back on it as the most creative, exciting, and eclectic periods of my life. So I couldn't help but wonder, is this my niche? The more I've thought about it since my return to the states, I've begun developing an idea. A modern, 21st century version of the medieval "jongleur."

This idea would combine all of my loves ~ music/performance, travel/cultures, people, writing, and service. It's a project "in the works," but the more I think about it the more it becomes my dream. More details to come...