So I first read about this in Malcom Gladwell's book Outliers. The basic theory is that anyone who shows a mastery of something, such as a musical instrument, has put in at least 10,000 hours of practice. I started learning to play violin in 2007, but I never kept track of my practice time. I can assure you, however, that I haven't even cracked the 500-hour mark yet.
Last week I found a group on Ravelry started by Laura Isaac, who is using knitting for her 10,000 Hour Challenge. I joined the group and started planning my own Challenge, and that's what the ticker in the sidebar is all about.
Do I really think I can get anywhere near 10,000 hours? I don't know--even if I could practice two hours a day, 365 days a year, it would take more than 13 years. At one hour a day (much more likely, though the every day thing is a little shaky) I'm looking at more than 27 years. I'd be 77 years old. I guess it comes down to this: I can be 77 years old, or I can be 77 years old and a really good violinist.
Update 4/10/13
I've been forced to give up playing the violin. I was worried that this was coming, so it's not a huge surprise. I've had whiplash several times in my life, and the remaining damage from that added to my fibromyalgia means that I get terrible nausea-inducing muscle spasms in my neck if I'm not careful. Unfortunately, it's worse on the left side--the side where the violin must rest on my shoulder and be stabilized by my chin. I've tried many variations on chin rests and shoulder rests, but the end result is still muscle tension and spasms after I play for any length of time.
I've sadly packed my violin and bow in the case and set it in the corner. I suppose I should sell it, but I'm not ready for that yet. Selling the violin would be the final nail in the coffin, so to speak. I've been playing the piano a little recently, so perhaps as I get more into that I'll be able to let the violin go and be loved by someone else.
I'm leaving the little challenge ticker up in the sidebar for the time being. Maybe the day I'm ready to let go of the violin will be the day I'm ready to take the ticker down. And maybe by then I'll have come upon something else worthy of the 10,000-hour challenge!
Update 10/15/2014
I'm back to playing, very carefully. I've had some other medical treatments that have improved my muscle problems. And I found an instrument tech who worked with me to build up my chin rest to allow me to hold my head as straight as possible while playing. Onward and upward! I don't think I'll shoot for the 10,000 hours, though. That would still be too much for me. I'm just happy to be able to play at all.
Last week I found a group on Ravelry started by Laura Isaac, who is using knitting for her 10,000 Hour Challenge. I joined the group and started planning my own Challenge, and that's what the ticker in the sidebar is all about.
Do I really think I can get anywhere near 10,000 hours? I don't know--even if I could practice two hours a day, 365 days a year, it would take more than 13 years. At one hour a day (much more likely, though the every day thing is a little shaky) I'm looking at more than 27 years. I'd be 77 years old. I guess it comes down to this: I can be 77 years old, or I can be 77 years old and a really good violinist.
Update 4/10/13
I've been forced to give up playing the violin. I was worried that this was coming, so it's not a huge surprise. I've had whiplash several times in my life, and the remaining damage from that added to my fibromyalgia means that I get terrible nausea-inducing muscle spasms in my neck if I'm not careful. Unfortunately, it's worse on the left side--the side where the violin must rest on my shoulder and be stabilized by my chin. I've tried many variations on chin rests and shoulder rests, but the end result is still muscle tension and spasms after I play for any length of time.
I've sadly packed my violin and bow in the case and set it in the corner. I suppose I should sell it, but I'm not ready for that yet. Selling the violin would be the final nail in the coffin, so to speak. I've been playing the piano a little recently, so perhaps as I get more into that I'll be able to let the violin go and be loved by someone else.
I'm leaving the little challenge ticker up in the sidebar for the time being. Maybe the day I'm ready to let go of the violin will be the day I'm ready to take the ticker down. And maybe by then I'll have come upon something else worthy of the 10,000-hour challenge!
Update 10/15/2014
I'm back to playing, very carefully. I've had some other medical treatments that have improved my muscle problems. And I found an instrument tech who worked with me to build up my chin rest to allow me to hold my head as straight as possible while playing. Onward and upward! I don't think I'll shoot for the 10,000 hours, though. That would still be too much for me. I'm just happy to be able to play at all.
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