Getting Back Into Practice

[shingo]

Hey,
I have recently had to cut down on my practicing over the last month to a near nothing (exams and similar work), only playing over a couple of peices to keep them fresh. However, now I am free of these burdens and have acres of time I really want to get back into practicing like I was before which was something like a 4 hour a day routine, I enjoyed it so much and it was all I wanted to do in my spare time. Now I find it really hard to sit down at the piano and concentrate or even enjoy myself. I realise this is a personal problem and it will take time and effort on my part, but I was just wondering if any of you have had experiences like this and what you did to ease yourself back into it.

[shortyshort]

Hi,

Find a new piece that you really like and start learning that. Something that you think may be a bit beyond your level. That should get you back into it.

Shorty

[Bob]

Or pick some easy pieces to conquer.  Not much work, plenty of reward.  Start with success.

[amelialw]

I have had a few experiences like that for example after my piano/theory/school exam sometimes i feel that I need a break but it after that it gets tough to back to my usual 4-4&a half hrs. Try this, if you have a teacher ask the teacher to assign you a new piece based on her judgement something that will not be too hard for you. Start working on that piece, work on the others as well and time yourself each day. Slowly increase the amount of time that you spend practising. Evertually, you won't even notice that you are practising 4 hrs a day.

[shingo]

Thank you all for your replies, I will try picking out something new and exciting but not too hard then as I am determined to get started again tomorow.

[Bob]

I've found it's easy to stack up practice time by adding another piece.  I'm plugging away on some.  I add another and suddenly 30 minutes, an hour slips by.

[shingo]

I have just finished playing a new peice of fairly easy difficulty, and it has worked wonders, playing the piano is back to being my most favourite pass-time I am sure I will be stuck to it tomorow and hereonafter.
Thanks again all.