10000 Hours of Taiko

10000 Hours of Taiko

[Originally posted at OnEnsemble.org]

Update

I'm getting close to having a real-time tally of my practice at k--b.org.  I'm excited to see the current total once I figure out how to import 2100 practice diary entries into the new system.

Is the "10,000 hour" goal still inspiring?

Yes!

Seven years after writing this first post, I'm still logging my practice and loving it.  For the last five months I've been using a more extensive practice diary system here at my post-On Ensemble site.  Someday I'd like to make these tools available to LATI students as well.

and No

I don't tally my progress toward 10,000 hours very frequently.  When the Wordpress system that auto-generates the graphs at OnEnsemble.org broke at one point, I didn't even notice because that graph changes so incredibly slowly.  I'm hoping that shorter-term numbers like "hours in the last 7 days" and comparisons to my teaching load would be more inspiring on a day-to-day basis.

That having been said, my practice data is incredibly useful and inspiring to me and having the post-practice moment of reflection to think back on what I did and what I should do next is great.

Original post

A great test of taiko science is now under way!

The book Outliers (review here) proposes the “10,000 hour rule” — mastering anything requires 10,000 hours of practice. As an experiment, I’ve decided to try and track my taiko practice time. I’ve conservatively estimated how many hours completed thus far, and am now carefully recording my daily practice. Watch this site to see when I cross the 10,000 hour mark (probably somewhere between Apr 8, 2017 and Aug 14, 2026) and then we’ll decide if I’ve reached “master” status. :)

Current total:

5045.95

———————

(graph generated: Oct 22, 2009)

The previous graph shows my progress thus far toward the 10,000 hour mark. Humbling, no? The past four months of diligent time tracking are that tiny, red squiggle on the left. The straight lines represent possible progress estimates. Since I started playing taiko, I’m averaging .9 hours of practice per day. If I continue at that rate, I reach the 10,000 hour goal on Aug 14, 2026, represented by the dark blue line in the graph. Since I started taking detailed notes of my practice time in June of 2009, however, I’ve been averaging 2 hours of practice per day. At that rate, I reach my goal on Apr 8, 2017, as shown by the light blue line. Actual completion will likely be somewhere in-between.

The next graph shows daily hours by practice type: personal practice, practice with On Ensemble, practice with other groups and individuals, and live performance. See below for more on how these numbers are tallied.


(graph generated: Oct 22, 2009)

Personal practice time since June 22, 2009: 406.09
Practice time with On Ensemble since June 22, 2009: 173.9
Practice time with other groups/individuals since June 22, 2009: 188.81
Live performance time since June 22, 2009: 59.15

Caveats

Measuring one’s practice time is not without its dangers. Focusing on numbers can encourage uninterested practice and wasted time. I strongly believe that concentration, focus, and enjoyment are essential to quality practice. In the interests of science, however, and because I feel I am suitably aware of the dangers, I am dutifully keeping track of every minute practiced every day. You can read more about my thoughts on practice here.

What counts as practice?

This is a very difficult question. In fact, the ambiguity of defining “practice” is the biggest weakness of the 10,000 hour rule. For the purposes of this experiment, I am measuring only time spent when my brain is focused on taiko technique. By taiko technique, I mean the physical and hand/brain coordination aspects of playing all varieties of Japanese drums. So time spent doing small-drum drills on a practice pad, or playing slant drum in front of a mirror, counts. Working on my timing on my lap while on the bus counts too. Performance counts, but only when it is challenging in terms of playing, timing, or listening technique. In most cases, I’ll give myself about 30 minutes of practice time for every hour of performance. Group practice is tabulated similarly – it only counts when I’m concentrating, which is approximately half the time. Composition, writing about taiko, and teaching taiko do not count. While I believe these elements *do* contribute to becoming a master player — in fact they are probably critical elements — I am trying to err on the side of measuring conservatively.

Prior practice estimates

Total estimated practice prior to June 22, 2009: 4218 hours

1996 : 132 hours
First year playing, average of 6 hours of group practice per week during school year, about 50% of the time actually spent doing engaged practice, for a tabulation of 3 hr/wk x 36 weeks. Plus a number of personal practice sessions before performances, for an extra 24 hours.

1997 : 194 hours
Average 8 hours of group practice per week, at 50% engagement; 4 hr/wk x 36 weeks. Much more personal practice; extra 50 hours.

1998 : 216 hours
Average 8 hours of group practice per week, at 50% engagement; 4 hr/wk x 36 weeks. Continued increase in personal practice, average 2 hr/wk; extra 60 hours. Practice over summer; average 1.5 hr/wk x 8 weeks.

1999 : 222 hours
Average 9 hours of group practice per week, at 50% engagement; 4.5 hr/wk x 36 weeks. Similar personal practice; extra 60 hours.

2000 : 280 hours
Average 6 hours of personal practice per week, at 90% engagement; 5.4 hr/wk x 52.

2001 – 316 hours
Average 5 hours of personal practice per week, at 90% engagement; 4.5 hr/wk x 52. Lessons at Nihon Taiko Dojo, 4 hr/wk at 50% engagement; 2 hr/wk x 26. Intense spurt for Long Distance Collaboration; extra 30.

2002 – 384 hours
Average 6 hours of personal practice per week, at 90% engagement; 5.4 hr/wk x 52. Lessons at Nihon Taiko Dojo, 4 hr/wk at 50% engagement; 2 hr/wk x 52.

2003 – 338 hours
Average 5 hours of personal practice per week, at 90% engagement; 4.5 hr/wk x 52. On Ensemble regular practice, 4 hours per week, at 50% engagement; 2 hr/wk x 52.

2004 – 358 hours
Average 5 hours of personal practice per week, at 90% engagement; 4.5 hr/wk x 52. On Ensemble regular practice, 4 hours per week, at 50% engagement; 2 hr/wk x 52. Significant performance time at 50% engagement; extra 20 hours.

2005 – 363 hours
Average 5 hours of personal practice per week, at 90% engagement; 4.5 hr/wk x 52. On Ensemble regular practice, 4 hours per week, at 50% engagement; 2 hr/wk x 52. Performance time at 50% engagement; extra 25 hours.

2006 – 393 hours
Average 5 hours of personal practice per week, at 90% engagement; 4.5 hr/wk x 52. On Ensemble regular practice, 4 hours per week, at 50% engagement; 2 hr/wk x 52. Performance time at 50% engagement; extra 25 hours. Start of Err practice; extra 30 hours.

2007 – 403 hours
Average 5 hours of personal practice per week, at 90% engagement; 4.5 hr/wk x 52. On Ensemble regular practice, 4 hours per week, at 50% engagement; 2 hr/wk x 52. Performance time at 50% engagement; extra 25 hours. Significant Err practice; extra 40 hours.

2008 – 414 hours
Average 6 hours of personal practice per week, at 90% engagement; 5.4 hr/wk x 52. On Ensemble regular practice, 4 hours per week, at 50% engagement; 2 hr/wk x 52. Significant performance time at 40% engagement; extra 20 hours. 30 Days to Better Shime; extra 10 hours.

2009 (Jan 1 to June 22) : 205 hours
Average 6 hours of personal practice per week, at 90% engagement; 5.4 hr/wk x 25. On Ensemble regular practice, 4 hours per week, at 50% engagement; 2 hr/wk x 25. Significant performance time at 30% engagement; extra 20 hours.