Sometimes it?s good to get away from the instruemtn. That way one is fresh when one returns. Dennis Chambers does this, and he doesn?t seem to be lacking in ideas.

I think the important thing is not how often we do something, but by how well and intently we do it. It?s like being with a special someone -- if you don?t mean it, don?t say/do it. Insincerity is unattractive in one?s playing or relationships.

If the case of practice, I?d say this means doing it when you have a specific goal to work on ? and working on it smartly. Also, work on what you are not good at. That way you develop.

Having said that, regular research seems to lead to new areas to explore.