Nov 8, 2022 – Live Lesson: 3 Things I Learned From Playing Ukulele For 10k Hours

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  • #54548
    Andrew
    Keymaster

    Live Stream: Tuesday, November 8th at 3:00pm EST (check your local time zone)

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    Hey guys, we are back with Live Lesson EP048! This month’s topic is: 3 Things I Learned From Playing Ukulele For 10,000 Hours!

    In his 2008 book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell states that it takes approximately 10,000 hours to master something. In this session, I’ll share my thoughts and experiences on whether this is true.

    This month’s topic should stir up some great questions! So please post all you have below and I hope you guys join us for the live stream. 🙂

    _______________

    LIVE LESSONS FAQ:

    Q: What happens in a live lesson, how long is it, and when does it occur?

    A: Live lessons are usually 30-45 minutes in length, but can extend until all questions are answered. The first 20 minutes will comprise of the lesson, while the next 10-25 minutes will be a Q&A session for premium members.

    Live lessons take place every second Tuesday of the month at 3:00pm EST (check your local time zone).

    Q: Can I submit questions beforehand?

    A: Absolutely! Basic and premium members are welcome to post questions that are related to the topic in THIS thread.

    Q: Who can watch the live stream, how do I watch it, and how do I chat with Matt and other members?

    A: Premium members will be able to tune in and watch the livestream. Premium members will also be able to chat live with Matt during the broadcast.

    To watch the live stream, simply navigate to the Live Lessons Page. You will see a YouTube video embedded on the page (if you don’t see it, double check that you are logged in).

    If you do not wish to participate in the live chat, you can stay on the page and watch the embedded video. If you do wish to participate in the live chat, you will need to sign up for a YouTube account (100% FREE).

    To participate in the live chat, click on the embedded YouTube video’s title. This will open up a new tab and take you directly to the video on YouTube’s website. The live chat box can be found to the right of the video (on desktop). For mobile and tablet, the live chat is embedded inside the video and can be turned on or off.

    For further clarification, here is a video showing how to do the above (for desktop).

    Q: I can’t make the broadcast. When will live streams be released publicly?

    A: The live lesson will be released for everyone to view the day after the broadcast (third Wednesday of the month). If you cannot make the broadcast, no worries; you’ll still be able to watch the lesson. Don’t forget that you can submit questions for Matt to answer beforehand (see the above FAQ).

    #54579
    gi_gi_
    Participant

    Who has 3 hrs to dedicate every day just to take 10 years to Master it?

    #54580
    smokealot
    Participant

    While learning about learning the great algorithm suggested this Ted Talk:

    He talks about that shattering 10.000 hour rule and how it is still possible to learn something and feel like you “mastered” it.
    Just on another level. The 20 hour level. And since there is no “mastering” anything because the scale upwards does not end, I found this talk very encouraging.

    Looking forward to this months live lesson!

    #54588
    The_Bumble_Bard
    Participant

    @gi_gi_ haha, yeah, good point! Who has that kind of time on their hands? (me) 🥺😅😂😉

    This is a great topic! Kinda like what @smokealot said: I feel there is no exact number of hours that will automatically make you a master, but it is also a great accomplishment to have spent that much time creating. That said, it seems like time isn’t the only factor: the resources you have, the quality of your practice, drive and inspiration seem just as important.

    Time is just a vehicle, man. Where will the driver go? What roads will they take, the scenic route or the freeway? Will they stop at Arby’s for curly fries? #destiny, man.

    Anyway, looking forward to this one! 😅

    #54595
    leb397
    Participant

    @smokealot, I remember this Ted talk. It is just one reason I play with the Uke. I have no goal for Carnegie Hall but the joy of accomplishment is all mine.

    Everyone is on a different path @the_bumble_bard states. Practice is time spent. “Obligations “ get in the way, work, family, to do lists and then you have age – parts take longer to learn. I’m at a place in life, retired and just love learning some new song. I play for me rarely in front of anyone. (except my recordings on RC101)😆
    So ? Is 3 things
    Self accomplishment
    It’s my time, alone in a room 1,2,3 hours
    Community with others with similar goals and language, being a part. 😊 But whose counting…

    #54596
    joe150
    Participant

    I agree with 90 % of the video, I do not think you could learn how to be a medical doctor in 20 hours. The fact that stood out to me is that you were scared, as soon as the Video came on, I froze. I can not recall the tabs, I feel like every member of Rock Class 101 is watching. It is like I am on an open mike in front of everyone. I got to clock in at work at 3:00 p.m on Nov 8.

    #54602
    gi_gi_
    Participant

    That was a cool Ted Talk esp the part about the emotional loops you put yourself through.

    Anyone who has taken the challenge to “master” anything knows it takes committment and follow through. Show up everyday, have fun and one day you could actually shock yourself ☺️😂.
    I gotta agree that our emotions could sabotage us or aid us in the process. To me it’s not so much about mastery but being consistent, following through and enjoying the journey. If you don’t have the, “I give up” attitude you could accomplish so many great things for yourself.

    One last thought: if “playing” the ukulele was all about strumming as fast as you can while playing 4 chords I would’ve quit a long time ago 😂😂😂🥴🥴🥴. So glad we have Rock Class 101 to help us learn so much more.

    #54603
    smokealot
    Participant

    One last thought: if “playing” the ukulele was all about strumming as fast as you can while playing 4 chords I would’ve quit a long time ago 😂😂😂🥴🥴🥴. So glad we have Rock Class 101 to help us learn so much more.

    So true. He spent 20 hours strumming 4 chords. If we divide the techniques one can do on the ukulele and think of them as seperate skills to learn one gets to do a lot of 20 hour workouts. At least that is how I picture it. It kind of picks up on another live lesson episode where Matt talked about this learning curve an how at first you are super thrilled until you quickly realize how little you actually know. (Loved the story about the burgler who used lemon juice to make himself invisible).
    I just started learning Taimanes tremolo technique – will probably take me more than 20 hours to “master” it 🙂

    #54604
    The_Bumble_Bard
    Participant

    For some reason, I dislike the idea of focusing too much on a specific number of hours as even a guideline for success–whether 20 hours or 10,000 (though I do get how it could be helpful in some ways). When you start out learning something, you might believe you’ll learn it quickly and it takes months or years; you might think a song or technique seems impossible and learn it quickly. Sometimes a time constraint can be good and push you in a good way, but I just don’t think learning or progress can be measured in hours… (Refrains from “Rent” musical references)

    But I also see how having a set amount of time as an incentive or goal to practice consistently could be useful like you described, @smokealot.

    Anyone who has taken the challenge to “master” anything knows it takes committment and follow through. Show up everyday, have fun and one day you could actually shock yourself ☺️😂.
    I gotta agree that our emotions could sabotage us or aid us in the process. To me it’s not so much about mastery but being consistent, following through and enjoying the journey. If you don’t have the, “I give up” attitude you could accomplish so many great things for yourself.

    @gi_gi_ so much yes! I think about the “always something” approach to practicing and playing. Even if I only play for five minutes, I play every day. Almost. It is more about being consistent and enjoying yourself, agreed! Oh yeah and not giving up. 😅🥺😂

    #54605
    The_Bumble_Bard
    Participant

    @leb397, I meant to say earlier, I love the way you describe your experience of playing uke as being just for your own enjoyment and self-accomplishment. To me that’s a beautiful idea.

    #54612
    recdog
    Participant

    Such great discussions taking place. I’m sure I’ve put in 10k hours on the classical and classical style guitar and I was never even remotely close to having mastered the instrument. Uke has now taken over. I’m grateful though that my right hand fingerpicking can sometimes be on cruise control and memorizing arrangements comes fairly quickly. Like just about everything else it seems, the most important thing is to play some every day.
    Ron

    #54614
    gi_gi_
    Participant

    @TBB agreed 100% ☺️
    Some people use the measurement as a means of an investment for business like the training in K-Pop. For them the numbers correspond to money signs 😂 I just want to have fun everyday and use it to refine myself.

    This has been a great discussion.

    #54615
    gi_gi_
    Participant

    @smokealot Wow. Taimane is quite the Artist. Her tremolo technique is impressive. Wishing you well.

    #54616
    The_Bumble_Bard
    Participant

    gi_gi_ , haha yes, I’m sure some people do view time spent as dollar signs (which arguably it is sometimes), but I agree: it’s all about the love of music. And this has been a great discussion. 😊

    Taimane is becoming one of my ukulele heroes. She’s amazing. Confession: I sometimes impersonate her “uke dancing” to dispel anxiety before recording songs. 😅😂😅


    @recdog
    , if you can play classical music on guitar or uke on autopilot I feel like that’s quite the accomplishment. 😊

    This entire discussion is probably way too many words to read during the live lesson, but if there’s time, Matt, can you please read the following quote from earlier:

    Time is just a vehicle, man. Where will the driver go? What roads will they take, the scenic route or the freeway? Will they stop at Arby’s for curly fries? #destiny, man.

    😅😂😅😂😅😂😅😂

    #54642
    andyrose
    Participant

    I’m 72 years old. If I practice 1.5 hrs/day, which is a bit aspirational but within the realm of possibility, I’ll be about 90 when I finally get to 10,000 hours!

    On a more serious note, I think it’s really all about the quality of practice, focusing on specific skills that I want to improve, developing musicianship, and having fun! As Stu Fuchs, another great teacher, says – “drop by drop, the bucket is filled.”

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