Amateur shakuhachi players often ask professionals, How much do you practice each day?This question is difficult or impossible to answer precisely. I could easily answer questions such as How much did you practice on average last month, or How much did you practice yesterday, but answering generalized questions about practicing time is tough.
The closest thing I can come to a true answer to such a question is: Until Ive reached my goal for the day. Still, though, oftentimes goals will take me more than one day to reach, so I still can't answer questions about how many hours I practice per day. The reason for this is that it confuses the issue to speak in terms of the length of practice rather than the quality of practice.
Thus I would like my Shakuhachi Tip for today to be: "The more skillful the practice, the more skillful the playing." Your practice will become more efficient if you can figure out the answers to the following questions as quickly as possible: What is giving me problems? Why is it? How can I solve this problem? What form of practice will help me overcome this problem?
Sometimes people will come to me and say something like, "I practice for an hour a day, every day, but I still don't get better." However, what matters is how you spend that one hour. If you "just play" during that time,you'll certainly get accustomed to the instrument, but you won't solve your problems. You may also find yourself avoiding things you know pose difficulties.
To find your weak points, record yourself and listen for your weak spots. Then consider what the reasons underlying this weakness might be. Finally, invent practice methods yourself to tackle the problematic technique and master it.Make this the basis of your practice.