hey teachers

[just_me]

dear teachers,
     i hit some button, so you may see this message twice (this one being the thorough question!). i have a health problem that requires i be in the hospital every few weeks (for a few weeks), so that i have maybe 3 lessons and then off for 2 or so. i finally FINALLY figured out practice schedules such that when i come back to lessons, we are not primarily backtracking and the lesson may proceed as if i had not taken time off.
     BUT NOW (!!!!) i just found out that i will have to take several months off (go to another state) to clear up some health issues and i don't want to lose the ground that i have gained. certainly, there are a billion things that i can and will be doing to maintain musicianship (ie, improving my ear, composing, harmonic study, etc) but my number one question to piano teachers is: WHAT ARE THE PIANISTIC SKILLS THAT DECAY THE MOST (i.e., if ya don't use 'em, ya lose 'em) if i can get a consensus about this, then i'll know how to maintain the (seemingly few but worthwhile) skills i do have.
   thanks for your input.   

[mrchops10]

I'm very sorry to hear about your health. The amount which your piano skills decay is very dependent on a technique and form you have acquired up to this point. I have found that in the last few years my "decaying" if I take a day or even a week off is far less significant than it was in the past. So it greatly depends on your situation now. I have never had to take off several months, so maybe I'm not qualified to speak about this, but I would say that finger strength and agility are what decay the quickest. If you have a limited amount of time to practice (that's how it looks from your post), I would recommend spending at least some of it on Czerny exercises, boring as that may be. I think if you do this, by the time you are again able to practice you will be in the best shape possible. Godspeed on your recovery!