So, for the first time in 2 weeks I got a grand total of two hours of practice. This doesn't include 2 additional hours of rehearsals. I got through four consecutive hours of playing (rather intensely I might add) without any pain. I am thrilled. I'm going to build my practice time up to three hours (slowly...), and then have that be my cap. My teacher once told me of a conversation she was having in an orchestra performance of a work that had 4 flutes and two piccolos during one of their breaks. These players had been highly praised all over the country winning competitions and awards, and were not "small" players by any means.
They were discussing practice times, and how much they think is a good amount of practice. They agreed that roughly 3 hours a day should be sufficient or else you should probably change your career plans. Ironically, in a book I just read about the development of the orchestral audition (focusing on the flute audition), the vast majority of Principal Flutists who won "Top" orchestra positions only practiced 3-4 hours a day while getting ready. So I think 3 hours is good. If I don't play at all besides my practice time, I might push it to 4 hours.... maybe. I waaaay overdid it on Spring Break. I will NEVER do that again. It's not worth it.
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