Practice makes more than perfect.

There’s a simple beauty to a metronome.

I keep an old one in my studio. It has the resonance of wood, an insistent, vibrant tone that draws me into the beat.

I have digital metronomes as well, but those volume controlled pops give me a beat. My metronome gives The Beat.

It’s always the same. It’s hypnotic. As soon as The Beat begins, so does my practice.

Practice is my sacred time, my meditation, my focus. Practice is my rock.

Every discipline requires practice. Whenever I tackle a new software or technique I seek out what’s considered best practice. Then I practice. Practice is the only way to learn. Leaning is the only way to master. And practice is the only way to continue to grow.

Every great musician I know has a steady habit of practice. No mater where they are or what‘s going on around them.

In New York, there used to be a corps of skilled players who’d show up last minute at recording sessions ready to perform. Often when you reached out to the players they were home practicing. They needed to stay sharp.

I’ve always been a deadline writer, but the key to success is between the deadlines. You need to keep your pencil sharp.