Hey guys,
Last week I ran into a kid at the
music store who had heard about Vai's 10 hour workout, but wondered how the hell vai found the time to do all that everday
He told me that he wished he could do that, and of course, I told him he could, but that it would require discipline, willpower, and stamina. The thought of 10 hours was just to much for him though.
I went home, and got thinking how everyone thinks it is soooooo cool that vai did a 10 hour workout everyday, and how that in itself has made him a legend of sorts within the guitar community. Its like an urban legend or something, a disney tale of things that are above and beyond most of our wild dreams
That's the problem in a nutshell. hardly anyone can/will do it themselves. They're too busy being awestruck as to how vai had that much discipline etc....
admit it, you probably wondered how vai did all that yourself
I know I have.
So for the last week, I said f@ck it, I'm going to do the 10 hour workout, just like steve did, but not for an hour a section, but 10 minutes a section. Who the hell really has 10 hours a day to practice anyway?? Not me, that's for sure, and I'm a certified bum.
Let me tell you, after a week of following steve's guidlines for 10 minutes a peice, there is NOTICEABLE improvment in my playing, chords, scales, and sense of melody. 10 hours narrowed down to 1 hour and 40 minutes did wonders. While there's still much to learn, I never thought so few minutes a day could help.
Where the heck did that kid from the music store go, there's something I need to tell him!
The moral of this seemingly pointless ramble is,
for all you kids out there (as the famous canadian don cherry would say), YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THE 10 hour workout for 10 hours to get better. Don't be afraid of it, tackle it, do what you can, and believe me, it helps...a few minutes each day does some great things.
Just cover all the ground Dr. Vai reccomends, and push yourself...don't get stuck doing the same stuff over and over again, and you'll be flying.
Anyhow, I hope that my expriences with shortening this rather crazycool method will inspire a few of you to try it on your own, and not be intimidated by it. I really wanted to share this, although its nothing more than common sense. I bet if i see that kid in the music store next week, he'd like to hear it
Bottom line is, the hour 40 minute workout is WAY more manageable than the 10 hour workout to the average joe (no, not satriani
) and thus, he's more likely to do it. So I hope you do, because it still works well.
Would you be more inclined to do it? I know I am
Peace out to y'all.
Dave
