I don’t think I’ve practiced two hours in 20 years. But it’s different with me than it is with a lot of younger guys, because I’ve been playing practically every night for 20 years. If everybody had a chance to play constantly, I don’t think they would spend that much time practicing. I believe a guy should practice enough to control his hands and be able to do certain things he wants to do with his hands, but I don’t believe he should practice to the point where the hands control his mind. That’s what happens with a lot of guys. Their hands start doing the thinking for them, and right away they go in the club and they say, “I can’t wait to get on the jubo tonight, and the first eight bar solo I play, I’m gonna knock everybody out.” And they may knock everybody out drumistically.
I like to believe that a drummer can control his hands. His thinking should be a year ahead of the technique. That way you are controlling the hands from your head and your hears, and you’re making more music, I feel. It’s more spontaneous. That’s the whole creative thing in jazz to me, the spontaneity. It’s nothing that’s figured out in your living room.
– Shelly Manne
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