Sonya Jason is a Sax player who spent her formative years here in Phoenix, though she currently resides in Northern California. I still get her email updates, which are generally fun. I especially like this one for the way it ties the theme of the email, and the quote from the scientist, to the unsubscribe instructions at the end. I included the whole email 'cause, what the heck, why not give her 2 or 3 extra readers.
Hello Music Lover!Studies indicate that 10,000 hours of practice are required to reach the level where one could be called a "world-class expert" in any area of endeavor.
"In study after study of composers, basketball players, fiction writers, ice skaters, concert pianists, chess players, master criminals, and what have you, this number comes up again and again. Ten thousand hours is equivalent to roughly 3 hours a day, or 20 hours a week, of practice over 10 years. No one has yet found a case in which true world-class expertise was s accomplished in less time. It seems to take the brain this long to assimilate all that it needs to know to achieve true mastery."
-- Neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin from his new book,
This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human ObsessionHow many of us can actually say that we have spent 10,000 hours working toward achieving mastery of something for which we feel truly passionate? You may be surprised to realize that many of the musicians who so casually provide the musical backdrop of your life have shown just such dedication.
In this complicated music business, world-class musicianship and world-renown notoriety do not necessarily go hand in hand. Members of the bands jamming at your local brew pub, performing your wedding ceremony, or recording the television jingles you can't stop humming may well be musical masters in your midst.
But you don't have to take my word for it. Come listen for your self with renewed appreciation to some upcoming live performances. Before you go, Click this link to check out a few concert reviews by music critics attending my shows, and then see if you agree!
http://sonyajason.com /mediaconcertreviews.htmSan Francisco is a "frantastic" city for enjoying live jazz! Don't miss my sizzling contemporary jazz quartet appearing for the first time at the very hip Shanghai 1930 restaurant and jazz club!
Saturday, August 5
saxophonist Sonya Jason's "Smooth "
with keyboardist John Seppala,
bassist Curtis Ohlson and
drummer Billy Johnson
Shanghai 1930
(415) 896-5600
133 Steuart Street
San Francisco, CA
8pm - midnight, no cover
View my complete PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE anytime by clicking this link:
http://sonyajason.com/performergigs.htm
Feel free to forward this e-mail to your friends who love SAX.
I THANK YOU for your appreciation of good music and the artists who make it!
P.S. Are you in shock having just realized that your area of "world-class expertise" is in Reading Email? Are you certain that you have spent over 10,000 hours sitting at your computer wading through lengthy emails such as this one? If you wish to be Removed from this list to dedicate more time to honing a different skill, simply click Reply, type "Should I live another 10,000 hours..." in the Subject line and write a 500 word essay elaborating on your newfound commitment toward mastering something worthwhile. Then click Send.
The quote is great. I'm going to send it to other people (along with her e-mail info). Thank you for sharing this.
Posted by: Michelle at July 29, 2006 07:48 AM