Music, like art or sport, is an activity that many people enjoy in their free time but of which only a smaller fraction undertake professionally. This raises the question of whether amateur music players share the same features of their endeavor as professional ones, or if they are primarily engaged in a “different” experience with its own characteristic aspects, logic, priorities, and qualities.
Over the decades Richard Hovan’s answers tend to endorse the second hypothesis: his involvement in music hinges on enjoyment, satisfaction, and self-fulfillment, without any particular interest in attaining a high degree of skills. At the same time, his life in music does correspond, at least partially, to that of his professional counterparts. Such confirmations and contradictions are examined through a review of Richard’s musical interests during his lifetime and the way in which he practices music in his free time.
Free-Time Practice: Habits and Routines
Free time is devoted to playing piano and on occasion, pedal steel guitar, guitar, and ukulele. One hour of practice per week, mostly during the weekend, is currently focused on discovering, learning and performing music from the JamKazam community. In between practice sessions, small sections are mentally rehearsed.
Over the last year, play sessions have been audio recorded to examine both progress and how well a piece comes across. Listening to past recordings reveals the actual musical experience, which I feel is much more important than technical accomplishment. I will often re-arrange a piece by changing chord voicings or phrasing, altering the feel count, suggest using different instruments, or by microphone placement. I generally feel that it’s OK if I mess up in a live performance as long as it doesn’t sound forced or out of place. I welcome advice or suggestions that would improve upon my arrangement or performance, especially if the source understands the music better than I do.
Psychological Aspects of Musical Free-Time Engagement
The most significant aspect related to Richard Hovan’s engagement with music in his free time is the central role of the instruments he plays as a means of pursuing happiness and expression centered in his own identity. It is noteworthy that, despite the mention of the instruments themselves and the act of playing them, he spends relatively little time physically engaged with them. A coincidence evident in many of the free-time experiences from the other participants occurs when mastery of an instrument temporarily experiences a downturn. Even more salient than the act of playing for Richard is the music itself, and its deliberate exploration and engagement within his cognitive space.
Autonomous activity of any kind is important for well-being, but it is thought that activity that is both performed of one’s own volition and within the complex domains of art tends to be more beneficial. Because enjoying and playing musical instruments is unrelated to his career aspirations, and is rather one of Richard Hovan’s motivations, such engagement holds particular relevance for his happiness. Aptly, what occurs when he plays an instrument is “flow,” sometimes to the point that he somewhat loses track of his surroundings. Only someone who has ever spent significant time in this mental condition can truly understand its significance, hence why Richard often takes a break from it to draw a deep breath, or reflect on where he is.
Originally Posted At: https://richardhovan.wordpress.com/2026/07/22/an-inquiry-into-richard-hovans-musical-interests-and-free-time-practice/
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