David Cooper (host)

And then I know that my playing isn't as consistent.

My sound isn't as good.

My intonation isn't as good.

And I'm not actually playing.

I'm not making the artistry.

But the other side of the coin is that since I've learned that that's not fun, it doesn't pay off, the fun is for me sounding good.

The fun is expressing myself and having wild moments.

The fun is having it not be scary and having it be easy and be able to do anything I imagine.

The work I have to do, I wake up at 4.45, I get in the practice room by 5.30, I put my hour, at least hour of warmup, hour plus of warmup, and then I do my Pilates and my swimming to get my breathing going, and then I do more practicing.

And that's what makes it fun.

Putting in the time brings me to a high level, and being at a high level means that it's fun.

And when you're at that level and you're well-practiced, if you show up to an interview or an audition and you're not having a good day, that's okay because you've brought up your average so high that you're not just relying on luck.

You're not just relying on waking up on the right side of the bed.

David, I wish we had more time.

I do too.

Thank you.

David Cooper is a principal French horn player for the LA Philharmonic.

He has the same name as me.

Associate principal.

Sorry, I f***ed it up again.