Balancing Practice Time and Vacation Time

[donjuan]

My family loves to take a trip every summer- usually for two or three weeks.  I usually go with them, but when I get back, I forget most of my repertoire on the piano and have to spend a great deal of time getting everything back.  One year, I stayed home from the family vacation to practice piano.  Sure, I didn't forget any music, but I missed my chance to see Mount Rushmore!!

My Question is:  Is it possible to leave the piano for three weeks and come back remembering everything?  

I need help, Please respond!

thanking you in advance,
donjuan  

[Tash]

i know how you feel- i've just been on a 2 month trip over to europe and america with my family and didn't have a piano for 99% of the time (i managed to be able to practice on the baby grand in the hotel bar in lausanne, SUCH a nice piano, that was for about 5 days)- i was freaking out at the thought of not being able to remember my stuff, and i was still in the process of learning my pieces cos i'd only just started playing them a few weeks before we left, some vaguely memorised. So when i got back home it was really annoying having to semi re-learn all my pieces, though it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be- it came back reasonably quickly.
But, to top it off we were in the process of moving house when we got back to sydney, so i still didn't have a piano for a month after that, had to go practice at a friend's place.
But as for you, 2-3 weeks shouldn't be that bad, you might have to refer back to the music more, but if you do the whole mental practice thing whilst you're away, i think you should be pretty much ok.

tash

[bernhard]

My Question is:  Is it possible to leave the piano for three weeks and come back remembering everything?  

Yes, it is, as far as well-established pieces are concerned. Pieces you are still learning you may forget.

Claudio Arrau, when in his teens, was actually ordered by his teacher to always take one month off, a routine he followed all his life. He felt it actually helped his playing. (but then he parctised 12 hours a day on the other 11 months )

If you are still worried, it is possible to do most of one’s practice away from a piano. Use the time when a piano is not available to do mental practice, study theory and work on the score (remember to take your scores with you though).

Finally, if you still cannot contemplate being away from a piano, get a simple, cheap and light stage piano (e.g. Yamaha P60) and take it with you. Make sure the electricity of the place you are going to matches though.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Hmoll]

Sure, I didn't forget any music, but I missed my chance to see Mount Rushmore!!

My Question is:  Is it possible to leave the piano for t

You didn't miss much.

Of course you should take a vacation. Be with your family. Enjoy yourself. Take some inspiring books with you.

[donjuan]

Thanks everyone for your advice.  I'll try these things on the next vacation.  
donjuan

[comme_le_vent]

I NEVER BREAK MY RELIGIOUS REGIME NO MATTER WHAT!

i have NEVER missed a practice session - and it would be a nightmare to me to miss one.

in fact i once had a nightmare where i missed a session and i felt awful.

its not an addiction - its an obsession with rigorous routine.

[donjuan]

I NEVER BREAK MY RELIGIOUS REGIME NO MATTER WHAT!

i have NEVER missed a practice session - and it would be a nightmare to me to miss one.

in fact i once had a nightmare where i missed a session and i felt awful.

its not an addiction - its an obsession with rigorous routine.

So, I take it youve never been outside the city..

[greyrune]

Its strange but i find taking a break can help.  If you practice intensly for a few months every day then take a week off or something, i found - only done it once, but still - that i was suddenly better, its like you were practicing all that time but you weren't.  Strange but true.

[comme_le_vent]

no i never leave the county(i dont live in a city).

i have gained a really good technique from my religiousness, and im happy with my ways....