100 Days of Practice!

Hello ALL!

I just finished my 100 days of practice challenge! I feel excited to have made it all the way. Through these 100 days, so much has happened to me as a person and a musician. Here are my three biggest takeaways:

1. I got so much better as a musician (and I have video evidence!)

   1. Recording yourself can be scary and difficult. For some reason, I start hitting wrong notes the second I record.......I know, I know, it's a joke. But in all seriousness, recording myself for 100 days got me to focus on the small details. When I would watch my videos back I would take notes about what I can change for next practice and what I need to be focusing on before I hit record.

2. I made connections that I never dreamed would ever happen!

   1. I started my artist Instagram and my 100 days of practice as my New Years resolution and it is the only one I have ever stuck to. Because of my instagram, I got to exchange messages with some of my favorite percussionists and composers. Even though some where just comments back and forth, they meant a lot. (And Tommy Igoe liking one of my practice videos was worth the 100 days anyway). The most important decision I made was to take lessons with the principal percussionist of the Kansas City Orchestra, Josh Jones. Josh helped me realize the details of my technique that need rework and he helped me be more aware of my body as I played marimba and snare drum. I have looked up to Josh for a very long time and getting to take lessons from him is a dream come true.

3. So much life happens I 100 days.

   1. I know that this seems a little silly, but after keeping track of my practice and daily life for this long, I have realized that so much can happen in the course of a few months. I started my first job after graduating college, I have applied for 10 full time positions, I have had ups and downs in my personal relationships, I got my first tattoo, I got both of my vaccines, I joined a blues band, I protested, I counter protested, I got back into an old hobby, I started getting my own students in my private studio...and there are so many more.

I look forward to posting more on my pages and keeping this blog alive. I want to keep growing my studio and to help other musicians reach their goals. Teach and performing are my passions and I can't wait to start doing more of both.

If you are someone who wants to do a challenge like this or would like to take lessons, please send me an email and reach out.

Instagram and TikTok: @sethschaefermusic

Happy Practicing!

Seth Schaefer