Chick Corea's advice for practicing (and for life)

Advice I

What you think is so

Develop that

Develop the ability to know:

What you think is so

The Beauty you see is

The Beauty you create

The World of Artists:

Each one makes his melodies

his own way

Each one create the beauty

he sees

With your own genuine interest

Receive their beauties

You like what you like

You don’t what you don’t

Only you know

It’s your artistic freedom

To like what you like

And do it your way

This is your native freedom

See what he does

Observe the rules he makes

Try them if you like

Draw what you want

Leave the rest

Do this with as many others as you care

Do this enough times and then 

try this:

Make up some rules

Or don’t even bother

Try your techniques out of what you’ve drawn

Do it as you

And then—you easily own it

Keep what you like

Change what you want

Create your own rules

Have a question?

Get it answered

to your satisfaction

Seek out the ones who create

and are willing to share knowledge

Beware of the “authorities” who don’t

themselves create

Discipline your body

Discipline your instrument

But only toward your own 

dreams and goals

Run the body and make it obey

Practice with an even flow

Control with easy intention

Practice your imagination

Put your illusions through your

body and instrument

Sing to yourself without your body’s

voice

This is what is meant by

  “hear it”

Play what you “hear”

Practice with an even flow

Control with easy intention

Gather the techniques that

serve your dreams

Create techniques to

serve your dreams

(from

Music Poetry

by Chick Corea)

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