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The Myth of 10,000 hours

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Re: The Myth of 10,000 hours

#51

Post by ohduran »

bluGill wrote: post #42
ohduran wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. So 10'000 hours of practice isn't just doing it, it's actually becoming obsessed with doing it BETTER. I can make sandwiches all day long, but only if I focus on how precise I am in the dose of mayonnaise, how seamless my spreading it over the bread, and how exact is the time the sandwich spends on which part of the refrigerator, then I'll improve. Sorry I'm tremendously eager to eat a sandwich right now. A g…

I know a lot of people who have 6 months of practice, repeated dozens of times. Most drivers for example have about that much, and it shows in how they drive.

Can't describe it better (unless it involves food). Good job!

Re: The Myth of 10,000 hours

#52

Post by j45 »

bluGill wrote: post #44
wccrawford wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sure many will argue, but I agree. After 10,000 hours of doing something, I can't see anyone not having tried to improve themselves. I think it's basically impossible to do the same thing for that long without basic human nature taking effect and forcing that person to improve until they can't any more. At least, not organically. I'm sure you could put a gun to their head and force them to improve more, but that'…

I think you are missing a few things. There are a lot of things to learn, someone who spends 10,000 hours on flat pick guitar will not be any good at finger picking guitar without a few thousand more hours practice in a different skill. There are a number of other ways to study guitar, before you branch to base, violin, Piano, drums - that is all playing interments. There is are completely different line of music you…

I certainly did not argue arguing that you’d be done at 10,000 hours, only much better than being at hour 1.

Whether it’s playing an instrument one way or another.. doesn’t seem super contrary to this.

Re: The Myth of 10,000 hours

#53

Post by xurias »

wallflower wrote: post #5

For those who don’t know already, the “10,000 hours” to attain expert-level mastery in any field or endeavor is false. The study that Malcolm Gladwell cites by Anders Ericsson only applied to violin performance, which is a narrow field that has measurable and quantifiable performance levels and hundreds of years of teaching history. I repeat this comment almost every time because 10k is both discouraging for the begi…

I don't see how it's discouraging. I find it far more discouraging and depressing when people say the 10000 hours is a myth and deliberate practice is a waste of time. What exactly am I supposed to do then if practice doesn't make me better?

Re: The Myth of 10,000 hours

#54

Post by wccrawford »

bluGill wrote: post #44
wccrawford wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sure many will argue, but I agree. After 10,000 hours of doing something, I can't see anyone not having tried to improve themselves. I think it's basically impossible to do the same thing for that long without basic human nature taking effect and forcing that person to improve until they can't any more. At least, not organically. I'm sure you could put a gun to their head and force them to improve more, but that'…

I think you are missing a few things. There are a lot of things to learn, someone who spends 10,000 hours on flat pick guitar will not be any good at finger picking guitar without a few thousand more hours practice in a different skill. There are a number of other ways to study guitar, before you branch to base, violin, Piano, drums - that is all playing interments. There is are completely different line of music you…

If you can flat pick a guitar for 10,000 hours without desiring to learn more and better yourself, then I claim that you are already the best you can be. You simply haven't the curiosity or drive to become better at it.

Re: The Myth of 10,000 hours

#55

Post by wallflower »

xurias wrote: post #53
wallflower wrote: post #5

For those who don’t know already, the “10,000 hours” to attain expert-level mastery in any field or endeavor is false. The study that Malcolm Gladwell cites by Anders Ericsson only applied to violin performance, which is a narrow field that has measurable and quantifiable performance levels and hundreds of years of teaching history. I repeat this comment almost every time because 10k is both discouraging for the begi…

I don't see how it's discouraging. I find it far more discouraging and depressing when people say the 10000 hours is a myth and deliberate practice is a waste of time. What exactly am I supposed to do then if practice doesn't make me better?

Deliberate practice is most definitely not a waste of time! I hope you continue to get better in your endeavors.
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