Woodshedding.

I like this concept. Woodshedding is a common phrase in Jazz circles. It alludes to taking yourself off to an isolated location (the woodshed), so that you are not disturbed or disturbing other people and just practicing.

The most iconic woodshedding story relates to Bebop sax legend Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker. In his early days he was laughed off stage in a Kansas City Jam session prompting the Bird to sequester himself away for a year practicing, by his own admission, between 11 and 15 hours a day at the exclusion of all else. That is a phenomenal amount of practice by anyone’s standards.

Besides the sheer discipline and dedication I find myself attracted to the monk-like dedication of Charlie Parker and the determination to achieve a specified objective or die trying. There are similar stories about Jazz supremo Miles Davis.

Charlie Parker and Miles Davis together.