Good story about Steve Smith.  Good to know how the greats do it….and very helpful to know Smith has a similar approach to what I’m doing!  I feel lucky to get to work with John…..thanks for pointing that out…...it is a coup…..sometimes, in my super focused mindset of working on the stuff I’m practicing, I forget that I am in a seriously good situation…...I approached John because I believe that he is the very best person to study jazz with in the world.  So….I get to study with him???!!!!  Seriously!!!?????  I should just pinch myself to see if this is real.  Good situation!  Thanks for giving me perspective…...
MF

If just banging around is not practising then maybe 4-6 time a week.

I wish I could practice and play as often as you guys, still living at home and my dad just keeps bitching about the noise, claiming its “just noise”, so him on top of my neighbors’ noise complaints limit me to 1-2 times a week. But I practice hand exercises on my throne, practice pad is too loud for my whiny dad, as often as possible.