Break from practicing is good

[jeremyjchilds]

I have been practicing between 3-6 hours daily (spread over a time period of 8 hours daily, so I wont get injured...)
I have seen steady gains over the last few months.

I recently went out to the lake for 3 days and did not touch a piano once..

When I got back, I played both effortlessly and brilliantly (compared to my peformance just three days earlier) This leads me to believe that a good preparation for my ARCT exams would be to not play the piano for three days prior to the exams...

Any comments?

[dinosaurtales]

While I can't endorse NOT playing at all for 3 days before a performance, this example is yet another that speaks to how the brain and body learn and continue to learn even at rest.  I, too, have noticed seeming improvements after a day "off" (not 3 though).  I am still just twitchy enough to not skip a day before a performance.  Superstition?

[thalbergmad]

I agree it is good to have a break and that the body and mind learn whilst at rest.

I am not a professional pianist, but at least 3 times a year i will take a week off. If music starts to become a chore it ceases to become music.

[Bob]

Your body and mind have a chance to heal more compared with the amount of playing you've done.  You become "super" for a brief amount of time when you return.  Your endurance goes down though.

[practicingnow]

I would definitely not just take off for three days before any performance, but you're on the right track - practice light the day before and the morning of the performance - your muscles and mind will be fresh and rested that way, and you will be physically and mentally sharper, but you will still feel confident that you at least reviewed your pieces in the hours leading up to the performance.

[Bouter Boogie]

Yeah, I agree too.. Breaks are good