Quote

I never had lessons. Used to try to play to records, which I hated doing. Still can't play to them.

To me, the object of practicing is to allow you to play what you hear. But you're always hearing new things, so you never get to the end of it.

I have been training since 8th grade, but it has to do with listening, more than practice.

Many activities and team play participation will give you a training that will prove invaluable later on in life.

Training is such a vital part of preparation for a game, you really do train to play. It tops up your ability, like sharpening a carving knife. You can get away with not doing it for a while, as long as you have reached a certain standard of fitness.

I started playing in the band and learned to play piano by ear.

I acted for so many years and sat on a million sets and worked with a million different directors so that is to me some of the best training you can get.

I'm hungry to learn, so I always have my big ears open fully, ready to learn every single minute when I play.

All musicians practice ear training constantly, whether or not they are cognizant of it. If, when listening to a piece of music, a musician is envisioning how to play it or is trying to play along, that musician is using his or her 'ear' - the understanding and recognition of musical elements - for guidance.

I took some lessons as a kid but trained myself by ear. I did it the way jazz musicians used to learn years ago, which is to play records and slow them down to figure out the notes. At first I tried to imitate Red Garland, who was my favorite jazz pianist.