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!