Which is better – Quantity or Quality?

Sometimes Quantity is all it takes.  Cash is a good example – most of us would rather have a high Quantity of it than a few pristine pieces (unless you are a numismatist!).

And sometimes Quality is really what’s needed.  A cashmere sweater is a good example – the Quality is important and will make a difference.

But what about when it comes to your practice time?  Then, which is more important? 

I frequently implore you to have a practice journal and to use it to make better use of your practice time.  I suggest to you that you learn by ear, that you learn by reading, that you do whatever you need to do to learn the music and to help yourself become a better musician.

And if you focus on that you’d think that I think that Quality practice time is essential.

But think more on it.  Think of all the times I have also implored you simply to sit at your harp and touch it.  To noodle, even if you didn’t feel like playing.  To stay in touch with your instrument, even if for a very brief time.

And if you focus on that you’d think that I think that Quantity practice time is essential.

And you’d be right!

WHAAAAAAT?

Yup.  You’re Quality and Quantity of practice time are both important.  Because each results in different gains – and all the gains are helpful.

First, we can start with the much-maligned Quantity of practice.  Don’t “people who know” always tell us not to waste time on garbage practice? Typically, yes, they do.

But let’s take a page from successful writers (did you see what a phenomenally bad pun I laid in there? Yes, I did!).  Successful writers often differ from less successful writers in that they write more.  And they have “tricks” to do that.  They set aside time to write, they guard that time jealously, they use the time to write (not to sharpen pencils or check internet sources, or daydream, or to surf Facedegram for “inspiration”).  And when they have no idea what to write, they just write.  And they just write junk until something better comes to them. Because sometimes Quantity is helpful.

When you’re practicing, this is time that you might not be “productive”, you’re not focusing on the intervals, or pursing musicality.  You might not even be trying to learn the tune – you are just playing.  But you have showed up.  You are at your harp.  You might be playing just junk – and that’s ok because it’s you, playing and spending time on the bench.  And if you keep sitting there playing, maybe the junk will transform into something else.  Or maybe not.  What you don’t know is when the “something else” will show up as “something better”.  Just because it doesn’t appear right at that moment when you’re at the harp doesn’t mean that it won’t appear later, or in another tune, or just by preparing your mind for something yet to come.  You’re going for Quantity.

So, yes, Quantity practice days are good.  Some of the time.

But what about Quality?  This is so talked about I feel like I almost don’t have to mention it.  But I do. Because you need to have defined what a Quality practice session consists of.  And this is trickier than it sounds – because Qality today may be Quantity tomorrow (and vice versa, see “something better” above).  Quality is not a monolith.  There are some general parts of practice that will help define a Quality practice session, but they are just big categories (warm up, technique, learn new stuff, solidify somewhat learned stuff, polish solidified stuff, performance practice, etc.) and within in each of these you will need to define what is Quality for that particular practice session.  For instance, this is where you define what “settling” is – you don’t want to settle for good enough when you’re seeking Quality (but you would if you’re in a Quantity practice session).  In a Quality practice session, you will not accept settling, you will expect yourself to accomplish something (have the phrase learned, smooth out the fingering in the tricky spot, have figured out how to get the left hand moving in rhythm, etc.) and you will work until you get it. You’re going for Quality.

The most important thing about Quality and Quantity is that they are both needed – at different points for different reasons.  You can’t skip one and rely solely on the other.  And no, one is not better than the other – they are two faces of the same coin.  They both have value.  And there is room for both in your practice sessions. 

I’ve heard from some of you (not in so many words) that in the last year you have been stuck in Quantity practice rather than Quality practice.  And some of you are pillorying yourselves over it.  If this is you, stop.  Instead, think about all the time you have spent on your bench – not losing ground, not giving up, not letting your playing slip away.  That is Quantity practicing serving its very useful function.  You will resume Quality practicing when your time is right.  And not a moment sooner.  And that’s ok.

So, if you find yourself “stuck” and not moving forward but you’re still playing, rejoice in your Quantity practice.  When you’re ready you’ll resume Quality practice.  And if you’re preening over your all Quality all the time approach, you might want to think about the occasional Quantity session, if only to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Are you stuck in Quantity time or Quality time?  Or do you have a mix in your practice sessions?  What do you use Quality time for?  How about your Quantity time?  Let me know in the comments – I’m looking forward to learning from you!