The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #137259 Message #3141242
Posted By: Don Firth
23-Apr-11 - 03:08 PM
Thread Name: practice, practice, practice
Subject: RE: practice, practice, practice
A slightly "folk processed" anecdote from another context:
Waldo Doofnagel is traveling on a jumbo jet flying over the Atlantic and he notes that the elderly gentleman sitting next to him looks quite familiar, but he can't quite place him. He opens a casual conversation with him and discovers that he is a world famous pianist that he has seen a few times on television. He is still doing concert tours.
In the course of the ensuing conversation, Waldo learns that this august keyboard virtuoso still practices four hours a day, every day. Same comment: "You still practise after all these years?"
"Of course," says the pianist.
"But WHY?" asks a mystified Waldo.
"Well, let me explain it this way: what do you think our altitude is right now?"
Mystified at the apparent change of subject, Waldo answers, "Well, I don't know. About 35,000 feet, I think."
"That's high enough!" says the pianist. "Tell the pilot to turn off the engines!"
Don Firth