Genius

Two years and 11 months
Two years and 11 months

According to Malcolm Gladwell, behind the genius of high-achievers that leaves us awestruck is really just 10,000 hours of practice.

Let’s see what this might look like for you as a drummer, Tennyson:

You’ve put in at least 500 hours thus far.

1 hour of practice a day, 35 free days in a year –>
330 hours
the next 5 years –>
1650 hours plus the 500 = 2150 hours by the age of 12

The next 12 years, double the daily hour –>
660 hours every year, a total of 7920 hours
plus the ones from the first 12 years = 10,070 hours by the age of 24

Unless an earthquake brings this house down or you find yourself with a single parent, you will continue to have every opportunity to play. And even in the tightest straits we will sell the furniture before we touch your drums. Every hour on the set you’ll get to exchange for more options as an adult musician. Every hour brings your dreams that much closer within reach. You easily played for an hour-and-a-half when you were five. It is up to you whether you want to hit your 10,000 sooner or later than 24. But a good idea to develop your art as deeply as you can, find its place in our world before you settle down? Keep those two hours a day sacred and you will learn self-mastery, excellence, and your happier self. We know the more we love our music, the more we love it, right? Play your joy and never make excuses. I don’t want you to end up looking on as Joe blows smoke out of his set, saying “I could’ve done that.” He just practiced longer than you.

Your biggest fan,
Mom

171 thoughts on “Genius”

  4. Oh Mom, be careful. I know he seems like a wunderkind right now (and he will always be) but he may very well make choices that you do not see that circle back to his drumming. My personal experience (and I only have one skill that I have more than 40,000 hours at – driving) is that it is possible and desireable to walk away from it and experience other parts of life and then bring those parts back to your drumming (in his case). So, he may decide to take a year and travel the world. That will make him a stronger drummer as it brings back drumming from other parts of the world and ideas from other skill sets back to his drumming. You may see it as abandoning his speciality for a year. The very best that i have seen at different skills, have found a way to understand virtually any other subject in the context of their speciality – and they do that by going out and experiencing.

    If drumming is in his blood – so to speak – he’ll always come back to it but he may not always stick to it. be careful what you wish for as your path to success and his path may be very different – and that could cause you undue anguish for no reason. I guess I speak from personal experience where my Mum always wanted me to be something different or “better” than i wanted – and it caused a rift. http://markbialczak.com/2014/10/19/mum/

    All that said – his interest and practice is amazing for a young man his age. may the force be with you.

    1. “You may see it as abandoning his speciality for a year.”

      Why would I see it that way? =) You give me too little credit.

      This was just a template, Paul, from one to whom drawing roadmaps and setting goals with numbers is foreign. I was curious as to how and at point the 10,000 could play out for T and so drew up a light blueprint. It was not architected in blood. I thought this pretty tame of me as a Korean mom, actually. You know young musicians are pushed to practice a couple of hours a day and older ones do so all day in conservatories. Will chk out the link when I can. My time is rationed. Thanks, P.

      1. “I thought this pretty tame of me as a Korean mom”

        Could very well be. Being a country of many Koreanovela- and K-Pop fanatics, we know that artists in Korea actually go through rigorous training before they can even really have actual showbusiness careers.

      5. Good. *whew!!!*

        Well, from what I know, while lots of Filipinos are crazy about celebrities, Koreans are as well (maybe even more, but don’t take my word for it). That’s probably why show business there seems to be a cutthroat thing. Not sure if you know, but soap opera-making is a real industry there and there are tourist spots in Korea dedicated to popular TV shows. Any die-hard Koreanovela fan would love to visit those places.

        I have followed some of those shows, though I cannot classify myself as an actual fanatic, so I won’t mind visiting, too. BTW, in case you are wondering, we are able to follow the stories because we normally dub them in our dialect. Some people buy DVD copies with English subtitles. Of the few I actually followed, I think my favorite is Jewel in the Palace. 🙂

        The Philippines has lots of soaps as well. And back in the 90s till early 2Ks, people were first crazy about telenovelas or soaps from Spanish-speaking countries, Mexico in particular. I actually know the history because telenovelas were the focus of my undergrad thesis…

        Goodness, this is becoming too long, it needs an actual post, ha ha haaa!!!!

      6. Yeah, I heard about the subtitles. You trigger a new thought. It doesn’t surprise me that show biz and the soap industry are so popular in Korea as image-conscious as Koreans are. You have to look polished, air-brushed, to be on TV or the stage. And so they worship those who make it up there. We do that all over the world but I think it’s an Achilles’ heel for Koreans.

      7. That may be true, although I know much less about them than the real fans (and the real fans might hate me for agreeing).

        They’re all about boy bands (like Super Junior) and girl bands (like 2NE1) now when it comes to music. Based on my personal observations, I am noticing a trend in how they are packaged — the guys act cute and look like girls; the girls dress up and dance sensually. Definitely, Koreans love to dress up (or overdress even) their celebrities, so yes, I agree that they are image-conscious. Meanwhile, I don’t know what they’re singing but their fans love to sing Korean songs. The ones I like are actually the sadder ones from the soaps.

        …I think the popularity of the soaps kind of brought Korea and the Philippines together. Koreans now build businesses here and they currently hold the top spot as most number of tourists visiting the country. Also, I don’t have stats, but it may be safe to say that they now, too, compose the most number of foreign students learning English from our professional teachers, online or even face-to-face. How the Korean invasion came to be, ironically, had to do with a Taiwanese show called Meteor Garden and the boy band that starred in it, F4.

        Oh, I am so writing about the history of foreign soaps in my country now! LOL!!!

      8. I apologize for wsting your time HW. I had forgotten that I had told you some of that before. Again, I am sorry and it won’t happen again.

  5. Ahhh, what an adorable kid. What a lovely tribute to parenting you’ve written, too! It really is a bit like that. Okay kid, we’ll do anything for you, sell the furniture, donate blood, whatever it takes to help you follow your passion.

      1. LOL! Kid is a term of affection at our house. We never use their real names, mostly because names are hard to remember when you get older and nothing is more frustrating then yelling at the wrong kid. 😉

      2. lolol

        Reminds me of the author’s mom in the Color of Water. She was Jewish, had about 10 kids with a black man decades ago and she’d holler, “John or Bob or whatever your name is, get your butt over here!”

  6. There is a TED talk about this. It might be called “Grit.” The lady who does it was a business professional first, then a counselor and finally a *teacher* in the public schools. Why go that route you might ask. Counseling professionals made her want to teach the beginners. She tells how all successful men and women started off like this–some with more grit than others. Grit seems to be the key.

      1. Perhaps because I am a novice to music, it seems to me even the inborn talent has to be guided and nourished. Two of our grandchildren had a talent for piano, but they refused lessons or practice. They had a good ear for composition, but now are still at that level.

      2. That makes me sad, that they HAD the ear, had something visibly (or in this case audibly? ha ha) asking for nourishment. But yes, the child has not only to want it from the get-go but develop the will and discipline to water the seed. (He’s at it right now. Playing to a worship song called “Sovereign”.) =)

  8. As an amateur musician myself, with a number of friends “in the business,” I’d say we are currently seeing something unprecedented in the number of young people with time, opportunity, support and desire to excel at a craft like playing an instrument. And, although you can somewhat manipulate a child into taking up an instrument, I don’t think you can force them to acquire genuine skill and talent.

    When I was as young as four, I wanted desperately to be taken serious by my family to support my love of drumming. Without their support, I still managed to learn to play, paying for lessons in my teens, and acquiring funds for a drum kit at 14. I sure wish that I had the support that some kids are fortunate enough to have. I’m a fairly good drummer, but nothing like what I imagine I could have been with more support. So, I applaud the families that can and do recognize a child’s heartfelt desire to take up any craft or skill.

    1. Very interesting, D, your report on the modern landscape of rising musicians. And you sound very much like my husband (he had it really badly in so many ways). He scraped here and there to amass his precious collections over the yrs, earning low wages, and really came into his own late in life. You know the New Yr’s Pasadena Rose Parade? He was on the float with his Brazilian Samba band 2010. Anyway, the knowledge and resources he was able to secure for himself by grit and spare change, he now is able to provide and share with his son. I’ve written a post or two on how my mother bought me my piano with the tips from waitressing and her varicose veins from the hours she stood. I should’ve continued lessons past jr high (in NYC, remember =) ) but thankfully, went on to be able to teach for many years myself. Ability sure helps. I so enjoy getting to know you better.

      D.

  9. Amazing how we push back on parents for giving their “kid” this kind of encouragement and opportunity but let them “practice” video gaming and TV watching to infinity. We should all be so cruel. [And I’m not Korean. Just the product of a mother who insisted on my one hour a day at the piano for 2 1/2 years (only 922 hours) which garnered me a lifetime of identity, service, and profound joy as an employed musician.] You go, Mama.

    1. *Grin mile wide* No, make that a lot shorter. I was looking freaky lol.

      “Amazing how we…let them “practice” video gaming and TV watching to infinity.”

      THANK you!!! Your story is wonderful. So happy to know you reaped dividends from your dedication and investment of time.

      *applause*

    1. So sweet, L. Well, I am seeing – from writing my thoughts out on my mother this year – how we are enjoying the fruit of her commitment to me those tough immigrant years. What a blessing. Also helps a whole lot that T loves to drum! Thanks for the cheerleading. You’ve been so wonderful. =)

      Diana

  13. I love the fact that by your acknowledgement, “he really loves it” which to me is surer path down the road to genius than the 10,000 hours statistic, although amount of practise time is a relevant factor. I have heard another similar statistic about the amount of hours it takes to become a professional orchestral musician. I have played with a couple of these professionals who were indeed excellent but once there was no sheet music and improvisation was what was called for they were anything but excellent, I was astounded that this could be the case.

    ps – Ry Cooder once took a year off from playing guitar and learnt how to play the accordion to ultimately make himself a better musician but from all reports his Mam was most disturbed by this and was heard mumbling to herself on many occasions “He’s a very naughty boy”, repeatedly.

    pps – My sincerest apologies for letting the standard of my comments slip into cliche yesterday, I am thoroughly ashamed and I will endeavour to make sure it never happens again… cross my heart.

    1. lololol No, I’d be able to SEE the smarts in diversifying one’s knowledge and skill if he were to take a break for another instrument. My husband and I talk about what you say on robot “musicians”. Miles Davis couldn’t abide them. Hubby, T, and I all prefer to play by ear, though T’s been learning how to read music and doing smashingly. And don’t you know by now my life is a blur? You think I was sitting here mad about your comment? =) I’ll be sure to show T your er…gift video.

  17. I played violin, and later down the road, flute. I was told at the outset that these lessons were mine, and if I wanted to learn, it was on me to practice. No one would be reminding me or making me. I was a kid, so as soon as I got bored I put music aside. And no one intervened. To this day I regret it.

    1. Yep, I was waiting for a story like yours. The issue of “making” a child stay with an instrument and of knowing when to allow the little one to quit. My husband and I know too many adults who regret having quit lessons as a kid, and I also had the potential to go far, only I’ve gotten away with becoming fluent and competent enough to compose and teach. I don’t see the sense in forcing anyone to stick to something s/he doesn’t show promise in. Nor do I see it in not seizing and grooming potential.

      =)

      1. You are so correct. There is a balance to it. Is there some aptitude? Is there a connection to the music? With my own children, we established an initial goal for a set time, at which point we would reevaluate. Was the interest still there? Was there progress? From there we set a new goal. It worked for them. I believe a child benefits more than can be imagined when parents are a part of the experience, and help the child to achieve, even if said child is reluctant on some days.

      2. We all need the encouragement to keep on.

        I love how you charted milestones with your kids. I took to heart what you shared under the Parenting Sucks post (lol at the title) and one day I was so tired I left him with a chklist of just 3 or 4 things to complete during my nap – for the reward of 50 cents. I was amAzed. When I got up, the playroom was CLEAN, the math done, Dad’s laundry folded! And T was so proud of himself and loved chkg off each item. not to mention thrilled about earning the $. I’ve been generally heading in the direction of concrete lists and clock deadlines (no, you can’t have a 5th serving. We need to do our lessons. Look at the time. You have 20 minutes left and I’ll be taking your bowl, empty or not. You can fill whatever hunger you still have with a snack later.) THANK you for the guidance, my friend!!

        Diana

    1. BAH, don’t remind me about the girls. Wanna know something funny? As a teen, I wanted to marry a drummer (or sax player). And I did! I should real Malcolm. I was familiar with that axiom before I realized it was he who’d said it.

  20. After watching a video this week of a 5 year old boy having his memory tested on geography and world history with his instant accurate responses I wonder about Gladwell’s calculations. lol

    1. Ha ha well, 10,000 clearly doesn’t fit there. But so we don’t throw the baby out with the bath water and say innate ability is the beginning and the end, we have 5-yr-olds regurgitating hundreds of facts in those two subjects in our homeschool curriculum; I believe you saw the post We Underestimate the Human Brain this spring. In fact, I thought the video you mention might be a snippet of kids in our program (elsewhere in the world). Point is, the parents devote hours to playing audios set to music to help them sponge up the info, all spread steadily throughout the day and week and year. So even there, we have labor.

    1. LOL That is deAR of you. I actually was a bit hesitant posting the shot because I thought the photo of ANOTHER KID on WPress, like we need more of those, would make people skip the post ha ha ha. But I just love this shot bc though it didn’t really come through here, he has this amazing look of steel in his eyes as he was grooving. And he wasn’t even three.

      Xxx

  23. This post really brought some folks to share their own story and that is a good thing. So, you have a little drummer boy. He is darn cute as a 2 & 1/2 year old looking so serious while keeping a beat. If he were my son I’d be pleased as the proverbial punch to know he has an innate talent which will only become more prominent as he matures. He will always have this gift which he can use to whatever extent he chooses- as a professional musician, a teacher or as a hobby.

    1. Yep, and the farther he goes w/ it the more options he’ll create for himself. =) I just finished telling Noelle that I love that shot of him for the remarkable determination in those eyes at that age. But I’m supposed to be modest as his mother. Ha ha ha. I appreciate your piping in with all you juggle and the many blogs you support. =)

  24. Awww…adorable!! I love reading about little musicians 🙂 My parents encouraged my music, and although I’m not a pro, I still enjoy it so much. You’re giving him a priceless gift.

    1. LOL That’s why we use something called headsets – what he has over his ears. He’ll come hand me a pair before he gets going. And I get to my dancing while he GOES! It’s a funny thing you ask bc I’ve grumbled about our loud neighbors. And needed husband to remind me I have a husband and son who

      drum.

      =)

      1. LOL!!! I even bought a classic guitar back in 2008 as a birthday gift for myself and so that I could finally learn how to play an instrument. Guess what? I tried maybe just three times and got tired of trying. I’m not much good teaching myself. My lovey knows how to so I’m looking forward to learning once we get settled.

        I do own several ethnic instruments and they’re all…I forgot the term for such kind of instruments. That reminds me that I should find my old post on those instruments from my old blog…

      6. Niiice. I’m reading he started playing at 13. It’s inspirational to hear of successful musicians who started “late”. But I admit it feels good knowing Tennyson started at 1 LOL. I hope JM considers that ha ha ha.

  28. So cute. Gladwell is genius. Some of his newer books expand on the idea of other factors that go into success. highly recommend if you haven’t yet read. Keep playin’, Tennyson.

    Love,
    E

      1. Tkx for covering my tracks w-the typo-geez-

        ‘good TO see you………..etc. (one would think that winning spelling bees would prevent such things- lol)

        tkx for not busting me Diana-

        all the best to u and yours

  30. Your son is very lucky to have a mother who believes in the possibility of making dreams come true yet reminds him to stay grounded enough in the realization that dreams only happen in the real world when we are willing to do the hard work. And that reminder to continue to stay in the joy- more priceless than all the hours of labor in the world.

  32. ‘develop your art as deeply as you can’ – I love that you support Tennyson to build the art that he loves into his life and that advice to keep that time sacred (for whatever art that might be). If only we could all be given that advice as children, to recognise how important that thing is that is important to us.

      3. Don’t go asking ME to do any math for you, Mr. Genius in Training. (But it sounds like you’re well on your way.) You should do a genius post at the 10,000 mark. =) Now how about some goal-setting and a timetable? On my desk by Monday morning.

  36. Relates to my daughter’s dancing in many respects. Diana, the powers that be at WordPress unfollowed you from me. (I think this happened once before.). Where’s D, I’m thinking. Anyway, I’m back.

    1. *Shake head* SERIOUSLY! Seems to be happening to bloggers who’re growing their readership. You’d THINK WPress wants to support community. Thank you for the faithful and loving support, dear J.

      Love,
      Diana

      1. Exactly! My oldest now pitches at the college level so he would tell your genius that mama is right 😀 Dreams are fulfilled through hard work, persistence, and grace ❤

      3. Absolutely! My son is not a phenom (most ball players aren’t) but he’s hard-working and he knows (because of prior loss, injury, etc.) that playing ball can be taken from him in the blink of an eye. This makes him grateful. But it took time to grow into all of this character! And I love to hear him talk to his younger brothers about the importance of daily practice and hard work; he sounds like me 😉

        I so appreciate your kindness, Diana. And I’m totally going to be using your WONderful – made me smile ear to ear 😀

  43. Another excellent and powerful post, D. It takes me back to being a ten year-old wishing and hoping for a tape recorder for Christmas. I’d planned on NOT getting it as money was tight and I knew even then that Mom couldn’t do it all. Bottom line- she made it happen knowing as Moms do just how much music meant to me.

    Years later when I sent her my first live recorded performance singing blues tune,(she loved Blues!) that Christmas recorder floated right to the surface of my brain…

    I still record my music and I don’t guess I need to say any more about where my love of biking came from.

    Thanks for sharing this story with us all. Best of luck to your son. He’s got a Mom who obviously loves him and believes in his talents and what gives him joy… like I did.

      1. You got it, Diana… and you’ve got it; that special light which comes through with everything you write. Keep on being you!

      3. And I finally understand the importance of accepting MY LIGHT. It’s there…a gift for my lifetime, yet no different or radiant than yours, D. or anyone else’s!

        My hope is we’ll both keep believing in its possibilities…

  44. Now that’s some nice solid reasoning, and add to that the fact that he has “drummer’s eyes”, and I’d say it just about in the bag. With a fan like you on his side, Mom, there’s nothing that can stop him.

  46. That photo is beyond cuteness! I love how you lay it on the line and tell him exactly what needs to be done. This matter-of-factness could be the perfect complement to your encouragement and support. Now, I’m just wondering where you’re at with clocking in the 10k for this here blog?

    1. Roar!!! Guest what, El??? I almost did a sequel post on just that question. But I’d have to add up the word count on 200+ posts manually to estimate the hrs I’ve clocked in to date. And I. don’t. have. the. time. Ha ha ha you’re good (a thinker).

      I’m not a born dreamer, as I’ve said here. And so mapping out his 10K was an extremely useful aide in his training. Started out as an exercise in curiosity as to where we could locate him in the next decade or two. But the itinerary’s actually helped me keep us on track. He’s been flying through his drum lessons at the music school. =) Thanks for sharing in the journey.

      Diana

  47. 🙂 I do not know If you saw my reply to your comment at my blog that is why I am here to wish you and your family a Merry christmas and a Happy new year, 🙂
    Your son is so cute and adorable ❤
    Take care. Thank you for your Kind support, visit and everything. I wish the best for you.
    Loves,
    Arohi

  50. I wonder if T plays voluntarily or you encourage/make him play. I think up to a certain age children do need encouragement to make them practice regularly. However, at some point one has to step back and see if they really want to continue. I wouldn’t let my daughter give up piano until age 15 because she was so good at it. However, she has given it up now although, having reached a certain level, I am confident she will take it up again at a later date, maybe years hence. Your thoughts HW?

    1. Funny thing, the 1.5 hours of drumming I mentioned that he did was voluntary when he was 5. At 8, 8 1/2, I had to encourage/push more (though not pull teeth). In part bc the playlist of his favorite songs to drum to was mechanically less accessible the past year but more bc he’s had some real, challenging assignments from music school to sink his teeth into, ones that 15-yr-olds have dropped. At my suggestion, the instructor switched repertoire so T didn’t feel stuck in a thick jungle and he’s started some very cool jazz. I’m glad you didn’t let her give it up. By about 16, I was teaching piano (with fewer years of learning under my sleeve, less qualified than your daughter, I will presume). I agree the pursuit has to eventually come from him, but I can’t let him waste the talent. And in our case, by his teens, he will probably be playing in bands through the school, which will keep him sharp into adulthood. Having said all this, we ARE a couple of years behind on the genius track. =) But charting it was a useful exercise for me. Thank you for the interest.

      Off topic: “We think we know the ones we love. We think we love them. But what we love turns out to be a poor translation, a translation we ourselves have made, from a language we barely know.”

      The opening to The Story of a Marriage by Greer I just started.

      1. “we ARE a couple of years behind on the genius track.”

        Thank goodness. I would not want T to suffer like a genius and with a helicopter mom to boot 🙂

        Off topic: Tell that to Max Tivoli! BTW, let me know what you think The Story of a Marriage. On second thoughts just tell me whether you think I would enjoy it as you seem to be good at this.

      2. “I would not want T to suffer” Right. The next thing you know, a few yrs have passed and we have a new blogger on WP writing on PTSD and psychotic Mom.

        I am glad you enjoyed The Confessions.

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