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Well, I can't quite call myself a musician, but I'm certainly one who is trying to learn an instrument.
I know your situation exactly, as I've gotten busy at times so far beyond my 9-5 that I'm lucky to have had time to unwind--period--let alone pursue something such as a regular, engaging practice. But those situations are few and far between, and so I have few real excuses as to why I don't practice more.
However, I think much of this (at least in my case) is more of a motivational issue than a time issue. I tend to be an all or nothing kind of person, and so if I don't have a 1-hour block where I'm good and ready, I tend not to spend anytime at all. I think this is a mistake.
I received some good advice when it comes to practicing, from you, Martian, the last time you visited. You pretty much said that as long as you can pick up the instrument in your hands, even for a few minutes, it's better than nothing. I need to do that. But I'd like to take it even further. In cases where I know I might not be able to practice much, I can do other things related to music: I now have a number of instructional books in my library. I should start bringing these along with me whenever I know I'll have idle time. On my daily commute, for example. I've also been known to bring books with me while shopping with others, knowing that they'd not need my undivided attention during those hours of wandering around shops, and during those drives between locations.
If I don't have my instrument in my hands, I should at least have music in my head.
This idea reminds me of advice I heard about from a famous and seasoned author to an inspiring one when asked how much time should be spent working on the writing craft....the answer was 24 hours a day.
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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön
Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot
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