Florian Gadsby, a very good wheel-throwing instructor with a series of videos on YouTube, recommends throwing your first 100 pots as soon as you learn the fundamentals. Whether they are successes or failures, you'll learn from each pot thrown. The point is not to be precious or work to perfect a piece as you're learning, but to throw them for the experience and skill-building.
I can attest to the fact that pottery throwing is work. It takes strength in muscles you don't normally use, and you have to learn not to make abrupt movements with your hands as you work with the clay. I've done multiple 3-hour practice sessions so far. As a result of each, I've returned home tired and with various aches. That said, the practice is necessary (like learning to play a musical instrument).
On the count to 100, I'm at 32. Today, I did 11 of those that included a failed one. These are of the day's work.
Last week's class (#2) was learning to 'trim' pots. I've got many to do--and will save that for a future post.
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