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So, today, I began practicing again. I played for several hours (maybe 4). I started the day doing some recording work for Harry Rios. He is a cruise ship musician. He plays piano, and he is a band leader. It took me only a short time to record the part he needed. It was just one tune, and it was short in length.

The rest of the time, I did my regular practice routine. I never feel like I am doing what I need to improve. I have practice materials in my possession, which, if I practiced, would make me a better player. However, I have a habit of practicing the same old stuff. I usually practice tunes from the Jamey Aebersold play-along volumes. I continue to get more familiar with the songs and the chord changes, but what I can play when improvising is pretty lame!

As I said earlier, I have study materials designed and written to improve improvisation skills. My music reading skills slipped away when I quit playing several years ago. That is one of the reasons it is difficult to be enthusiastic about learning the new practice material. I know how to begin slowly and learn the material, but I get bored quickly. Practice can be dull and tedious. Yet, I know it will help me. I have used this method to achieve new playing levels in the past. Also, it would improve my reading skills.

This year, I want to improve my skills and show off said skills in front of a live audience and my YouTube audience. I have to face the reality that this improvement will take work.

Regret

My biggest regret in life is not having finished my music degree. When I was younger, I had a bad habit of quitting. I didn’t know how to stick with a plan. You may think, “Well, you managed to stay in the Navy for 20 years.” They made it super easy! I could be complacent, content, and mediocre! And I was a mediocre player at best.

I didn’t do the work. I was too distracted and lazy. I should have been able to achieve extraordinary levels of musical skill in the 20 years I was with the Navy. When we were not gigging, we had plenty of time off. Many hours were available for practice. I didn’t utilize any of them.

Now, I practice much more than I did in the Navy. Back then, I let life get in the way of music when music should been my life.

I wanted to be a great saxophone player. I wish I’d been more disciplined. To try to explain myself and what was going on in my life back then would take too long. That is a post for a later date.