The Difference Between Practice and Playing - Kenny Werner

In this clip Kenny Werner and I discuss the difference between practising and playing music.

[@jschneid6]

Very helpful comments by Kenny, who's always insightful in a creative way - being purposeful about what you're doing - OK, now I'm practicing (and evaluating my performance and course correcting), vs. OK, now I'm playing (and not evaluating, just playing). A couple of things that come to mind in addition. One is that I don't think practicing has to necessarily be about the mechanical stuff. I think for someone as naturally talented as Kenny, he can play what he hears as long as he can execute it. For most people, the "playing what you hear" doesn't come as easily and you have to practice it. And you can't get better at it unless there is trial and error and evaluation, just like with the mecchanical stuff. The other thing is I'd add is that while focusing on the things you *can't* do is the best use of practice time, actually *doing* it is another thing. The fact is that it's more fun to do the things that you can already do, and it's hard to stay away from that. Maybe you can reward yourself for the focused practicing by making that part of your practicing a shorter amount of time. And then just play for the rest of the time. Motivation is often the gating factor, and sometimes we have to "self-engineer" ourselves to keep us motivated and on the right path.

[@demosongsheetmusic]

1:10 - "So when I am training, I am quantifying do I have enough motor skill to be able to forget the subject, and when I go into playing, play from the expanded consciousness and it'll be there". 2:06 - "If your practicing is inspiring, you should be suspicious - you're probably not getting anything done." Pure gold! 🌟

[@davidbuda]

What a great gift this is. Thank you for posting

[@gabyguala]

It’s always a pleasure to listen to you to teach your art❤always grateful ❤hugs!

[@timbruer7318]

So many good points here.

[@Beyondabsence]

Excellent excerpt! So true, isn't it? It's a difficult habit for me to break. As I start learning a classical piece to enhance my jazz harmonies, all of a sudden my mind goes off into improvising and "playing", and the piece I wanted to learn is forgotten...

[@NickBottini]

Glad you found it helpful! DId you have a chance to check out the full session yet?

[@Beyondabsence]

@@NickBottini Not yet. I love Kenny Werner's playing. I had the honor of playing for a couple minutes while he watched, during a workshop at Berklee in 1997. In 1992 my dad bought one of his works, "Introducing the Trio", when he came to the US. Back then I was still in my homeland Brasil. Keith Jarrett and Kenny Werner are two of my favorite pianists. Keith first.

[@NickBottini]

@@Beyondabsence fantastic!

[@darykinnaman2319]

You are a good interviewer, you let Kenny talk! Good job!

[@NickBottini]

Thank you Dary - and thank you for taking the time to watch. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@darykinnaman2319]

@@NickBottini - I bought his book, and I have had great improvement.

[@martinpizarro6620]

thank you for this interview! By any chance, do you know of any other musicians with a similar approach to music? (I also know of Victor Wooten)

[@HowardGoldman]

I play much much better while I'm talking to people.