Getting to Carnegie Hall
To quote Drucker: Have you composed your symphony? Has your boss composed his or hers? Have you begun rehearsals with your players yet? Can you hear the second oboe? Are you ready for Carnegie Hall?
The other day I was listening to an old audio interview with Charlie Parker, arguably the greatest saxophone player who ever lived. The interview was by Paul Desmond, a phenomenal saxophonist in his own right.
Below is an excerpt of the interview.
Desmond: 'Another thing that's been a major factor in your playing is this fantastic technique that nobody has quite equalled. I wondered about that too, whether that came behind practicing or whether that was just from playing...'
Parker: 'I can't see that there's anything fantastic about it all. I put quite a bit of study into the horn, that's true... I used too put in at least 11-15 hours a day... I did that for three or four years.'
Desmond (audibly humbled): I guess that's the answer
Parker: That's the facts anyway.