Somewhat surprised that no one has weighed in on this over the last few days, but that's okay. The difference between the two is the presence of an audience. In my opinion, it's that simple. In practice, you can stop, go back, repeat a phrase, slow down and speed up, but with an audience you have two-way communication happening. So the intention is very different, as is the discipline. And "practicing" in front of an audience is just downright rude, so I don't believe in that.
So what if you're alone and playing to no visible audience members? If you're practicing, that's one thing. But if you're playing, there is still an audience-of-one since your 'third ear' is present and participating in a similar if not the same experience. Therefore, one still has the two-way communication (although it's a little different as far as immediate audience feedback).
Yah, when you're practicing and screw up, it's like a tree falling in the woods with no one around. In front of real people, it matters.
Playing live and playing for a recording are more similar, even though in a recording you can re-record. But you're wasting everyone else's time, so the pressure is almost the same.
Comments
The audience presence is the difference
John Keene Sun, 01/12/2014 - 11:20
Somewhat surprised that no one has weighed in on this over the last few days, but that's okay. The difference between the two is the presence of an audience. In my opinion, it's that simple. In practice, you can stop, go back, repeat a phrase, slow down and speed up, but with an audience you have two-way communication happening. So the intention is very different, as is the discipline. And "practicing" in front of an audience is just downright rude, so I don't believe in that.
So what if you're alone and playing to no visible audience members? If you're practicing, that's one thing. But if you're playing, there is still an audience-of-one since your 'third ear' is present and participating in a similar if not the same experience. Therefore, one still has the two-way communication (although it's a little different as far as immediate audience feedback).
Ditto
tpvibes Sun, 01/12/2014 - 17:08
In reply to The audience presence is the difference by John Keene
Yah, when you're practicing and screw up, it's like a tree falling in the woods with no one around. In front of real people, it matters.
Playing live and playing for a recording are more similar, even though in a recording you can re-record. But you're wasting everyone else's time, so the pressure is almost the same.
Tom P.