Do you feel sad when you cannot play the piano?

[momopi]

Do you feel sad when you cannot play the piano?

I do. I'm supposed to write my thesis (I'm a language major). But I feel sad because I didn't practice the piano today.    I also told my teacher we'll just resume our lessons after few months because I'm graduating and I have to concentrate. But now I cannot concentrate because I miss playing.

I just started my lessons last May 2008. I also studied back in the late 90's up to 2001 when I was younger, around three years. I didn't have a piano back then, my former teacher just let me practice at her home when there were no students.

I had a piano - second hand and very old, but I love it. My mom bought it for me but then I had to leave for college. I also studied piano from 2002-2005 but only during the summer (maybe around three summers).

Do you miss your piano too when you you're supposed to be busy with other stuff?

[monkeyyy]

When it's for a short time and I'm doing something enjoyable, I don't.. Or when I just practiced so much that I'm tired, e.g. after masterclasses, I even don't want to play. But when I can't play because of other things (e.g. our piano is 'broken' right now ).. I use to feel quite terrible too.. Luckely I'm a piano student .
But.. you cannot write all day long he? Take a break!

[danny elfboy]

I feel like dying when I can't play.

[db05]

I feel guilty for my lack of perseverance.

[hyrst]

Whenn I don't play for one day I feel like something is missing.  If I don't play for a few days my heart aches

[concerto_love]

feel happy at the first, cry at the end...

[Bob]

Yes.

[aewanko]

I feel sad because I do not have the capacity (or time) to practice over an hour. I can't even reach the 45 minute mark!

[Bob]

I end up getting very anxious. 

[db05]

I feel sad because I do not have the capacity (or time) to practice over an hour. I can't even reach the 45 minute mark!

My limit seems to be 1 1/2 hours. I could try to do more, up to 2 hours, but I don't seem to absorb anything!! Why? 

[nyonyo]

Eventhough I love to play piano, but I can live without playing piano.
There are many other things that can entertain me.

[ryan2189]

Sometimes I am equally disturbed when I have an insufficient piano to practice on. I have been feeling this while at home lately from university. The pianos in the practice rooms are superior to my upright at home. I think I just got spoiled while at school.

But to really answer the question: I can go a day or two without practicing (if there is something that is preventing me from doing so) but past that I really do start to miss it a lot.

[concerto_love]

it's very sad when u hear the other's playing piano.....

[rc]

I feel guilty for my lack of perseverance.

I like how you put that, it's exactly what I get!  The biggest problem is that I'm getting used to it, damn life getting in the way...  I could probably fix that though.

I had a thought the other day, as I'm training new people at work.  I noticed they always get frustrated at some point, and I remember going half-insane with frustration when I learned it too.  My thought is that it's a very good sign to be frustrated, it means they care about what they're doing.  If they didn't care, they wouldn't get frustrated, because it would be much easier to just be satisfied with doing a crappy job.

I don't know if sadness helps anything, but I think that getting frustrated with piano isn't necessarily a bad thing.  I read somewhere a letter written by William Kapell talking about how frustrated he gets because he can't quite get things to sound so good as he'd like, and he was amazing!

[concerto_love]

  so sad and jealousing, looking at the others..... 

[a-sharp]

I feel not sad, but  guilty when I'm not practicing - unless and only unless I know I've been logging a good amount of hours already.

[lau]

i always feel pressured to stop practicing by my family, even though they don't say anything, i know they are trying to watch tv or do something. ugh.
it seems like whenever i am actually making some good progress i am forced to stop to do some household chore.
Part of me wouldn't want to go on vacations because of the piano issue.

[aewanko]

i always feel pressured to stop practicing by my family, even though they don't say anything, i know they are trying to watch tv or do something. ugh.
it seems like whenever i am actually making some good progress i am forced to stop to do some household chore.
Part of me wouldn't want to go on vacations because of the piano issue.

same here.

[a-sharp]

I remember feeling that, and often, just that my mom was actively listening and 'judging' my playing (why are you practicing *that*, and not (xyz), etc. - or I just felt like she was just focusing on my mistakes & so I was always self-conscious more than I should've been.

I still feel that a little with my roommate (and it's not his fault - I just don't like to bother him when he's around/sleeping/studying/whatever).

I can only imagine what i would have accomplished when I was younger if I'd had a good keyboard in my room with headphones...

[db05]

I like how you put that, it's exactly what I get!  The biggest problem is that I'm getting used to it, damn life getting in the way...  I could probably fix that though.
...
I don't know if sadness helps anything, but I think that getting frustrated with piano isn't necessarily a bad thing.  I read somewhere a letter written by William Kapell talking about how frustrated he gets because he can't quite get things to sound so good as he'd like, and he was amazing!

I get guilty, but now I'm at an even lower point: no motivation at all. Feeling guilty is only for people who are somehow motivated but don't act on it.

As for being frustrated... Have you ever started something, or to continued something, spent time and effort, but didn't get anywhere? This is beyond frustration, beyond motivating yourself and persisting. If there are speed walls, there are "mind walls." How do you get past that?

I am somehow aware of and disturbed by my condition (otherwise I wouldn't be here, or anywhere) but I have no motivation to try anything. To sink even lower than that is to not feel anything at all... Imo, you wouldn't be alive in that state. So no, I don't think sadness helps anything, but frustration can be used for motivation, as long as you don't sink any lower than that, and find knowledge/ help regarding your problem.

[rc]

No motivation?  uh oh!

My first thought: have you been performing much?  Some people say they play for themselves, but performing is such an important aspect to me, I usually have a hard time believing them.  If I'm learning pieces that nobody ever hears, I eventually wonder why I'm learning pieces only to forget them.  Having some sort of outlet is important for my motivation, even if it's only for my teacher.

Sometimes I get inspired by unexpected things.  I saw a documentary on Van Gogh, the beauty of his paintings and how much he put into it was very inspiring, I went straight to the piano.  Nature is an age old inspiration.  Sometimes I just go out for a walk in a nice neighbourhood, and the atmosphere of the trees, sunlight, shadows, old houses fills me with feeling that makes me want to express on piano.

Sometimes I'm lacking direction, and have to sit down and think out some objectives I'd like to accomplish at the piano.

Sometimes I'm feeling apathetic, and just have to force myself to the bench, which often is enough to get me practicing.

Sometimes I'm feeling so apathetic and lazy, I can't even manage that.  Well, I think it's good to just kick back and be lazy from time to time.  A break might be just what the doctor ordered!

...Just shooting out some ideas here

[rc]

As for being frustrated... Have you ever started something, or to continued something, spent time and effort, but didn't get anywhere? This is beyond frustration, beyond motivating yourself and persisting. If there are speed walls, there are "mind walls." How do you get past that?

To use another example from my job, there have been days where I've had to just go home because I'm losing my head with frustration...  More often, I could just occupy myself with some easier task.  So I figure that if it feels like we're beating our heads against a wall, might as well just walk away from it.  The difficulty will always be popping up until we can overcome it.  It's not going anywhere, so lets just do something else and try again later, with a clear head.

[a-sharp]

db05 ... I certainly have started pieces - worked hard on them (well, one in particular) - and, it's not like I didn't get *anywhere*, but I did hit a wall - for me, it was a technical non-readiness wall which I know I'll get over next time I pick it up. (Well, I know it *now,* but at the time, I was convinced there were parts I'd never be able to play...) Progress in piano is not something you always see right away (we all should know this, but I have to remind myself). Sometimes, you have to put things away and come back to them later when you've grown in your abilities.

As for motivation - I've had times when I've felt stagnate & a loss of motivation. The quickest and best pick-me-up is to go see someone perform. go see *several* good pianists perform.... It couldn't hurt anyway. ?

[db05]

No motivation?  uh oh!

My first thought: have you been performing much?  Some people say they play for themselves, but performing is such an important aspect to me, I usually have a hard time believing them.

Interesting you mentioned that. Yes, I've been performing in recitals, but not yet for piano. Guitar was my first instrument, and I love performing, especially classical works. But it was 3 long months to get to my first recital, and it wasn't so good back then. It was a half-year before I could play anything up to performance level. I've never had a piano recital before, and playing unfinished pieces for my teacher isn't inspiring at all.

As for motivation - I've had times when I've felt stagnate & a loss of motivation. The quickest and best pick-me-up is to go see someone perform. go see *several* good pianists perform.... It couldn't hurt anyway. ?

Ack, that makes me feel worse.  Especially since I'm very critical.

[a-sharp]

Ack, that makes me feel worse.  Tongue Especially since I'm very critical.

Well - sorry. I guess I'm in a different space right now. I'm about twice your age, am just starting school - to finish my BM (I never finished when I was your age), and I'm excited. I'm actually currently inspired by my fellow students (who are totally cool and welcoming even though I'm really old compared to them, LOL), and my teacher - who played Scarbo for all of us the other night ... I can't find a YouTube video that is done as well as I found her performance/interpretation.

If all else fails - maybe you need to just take a break - ? Figure out what really *does* inspire/motivate you. ?? somtimes, no one else can tell you what that is, you have to figure it out for yourself... Hopefully, the music will inpsire you again - but if not - something else is bound to. *hugs*

[db05]

Awww, a#. You know I can't resist a hug.

Since I'm really critical sometimes, I think teaching or conducting would suit me. But I don't think you can do that if you're not very good at ANY instrument. 

What do you mean, starting school to finish your BM? Have you started college before, or is it your first? Like a couple of my classmates, I started collge twice. Different courses, didn't know which way to go. Interesting how we all ended up in the same music class. Now it's like do or die.

[a-sharp]

Ugh - now I have to go & blow my cover.

LOL not that I had one...

I'm 43 - I started playing when I was 8 - went to college as a performance major after high school - but didn't finish (had no confidence, no clue what I wanted to do, no motivation - not enough to practice enough to perform, nor inclination to teach - what i can I say - I was young & stupid). I was good - but didn't really know it and wanted to "have fun" more than be a music nerd. ? I'm guessing, lol. ... didn't touch a piano for almost 20 years (didn't have one). Got a good Yamaha keyboard at some point... played for "fun" for a while - kinda freaked out at first b/c the fingers wouldn't do what they used to do (at first). ...... got married, had a baby (he's almost 6 now), got divorced (don't be sad, I wanted it)... wondered what I was going to do (didn't want to do what I had been doing - graphic design for my eX). Had never gotten a degree - *although,* in my 20's I did go to CC P/T & earn an AA for all the GE I had taken. 2 years ago - the light bulb came on - was invited to a recital my first piano teacher gave at her house (she plays all ragtime now, she's retired, LOL - it's so cute) - realized - HEY, I want to play again - HEY, I could *teach* - I know this stuff... HEY - if I play, and & teach, I could go back to school - et, voila! ... That's about it.

So, you could say - I'm motivated now far beyond what I *ever* was. I work SO hard and practice - b/c I love it that much ... well, like I *should have* back then. .. NOT that I don't get lazy or lose motivation (especially during the summer) The pieces I'm playing are the most difficult pieces I've ever played, but yet, I'm not technically good enough to play what a lot of y'all here can/do. But, I'm just so excited that I'm playing the really "good" (and hard) stuff now, LOL, that I don't care. SO - I'm a single parent, and next week I start school F/T - to go back to *finish* my BM. I'd actually like to get a Masters too - so I can teach at a Jr. Coll. if I want/need to. I might major in Pedagogy then, depends on what i feel like doing - practicing tons & doing a recital, or doing a project, LOL.

So - that's my long story short (believe it or not!). Last week we had a piano "camp" ... for the new students, and some of the returning students played for us - master class setting - a former student who's gone on to some prestigious conservatory also came to play ... & the 2 faculty members running the program played at a BBQ Friday night. SO... I'm *completely* re-motivated right now. Excited ... that I get to do this (with a little help from the FA dept.) ... Hence, the suggestion to go hear people play. It was totally inspiring to me - BUT, I do remember when i was younger, hearing good people play made me feel discouraged. I think, it's a matter of maturity, and confidence - you have to focus on what YOU want, what the music, and playing mean to YOU, and focus on being your own best  - and not try to compare yourself to someone else -you're never going to be that person anyway - so why try? SO - I'm completely happy to just be where I'm at - and ironically or not, I think it makes me a better pianist.

I don't know if that makes any sense or not... but that might explain my suggestion to you. ?

As a footnote - I may be 43, but one of the 18 YO's told me I look 23 ... so that is kinda cool 

(I didn't want to go on & on about me - but you asked - and I've never done it before so there you go ) ... just take a mental break - at some point, you are going to find your motivation again - it's a given. Whether it's music or whatever - it happens, I swear (not that I swear...)

[rc]

Cool story A#!

A lot of people have a hard time going back to something, or taking that first step. I hear it so often, "I've always wanted to do something, but now I feel it's too late".  I heard that from a coworker today, 23 years old.  It's refreshing to see your attitude!

I remember I used to feel intimidated beside someone better than me.  Now I'm comfortable with being crappy, and when I see someone good I can think "that was good! I enjoyed that, maybe someday I could be that good"

[db05]

Glad you got back to piano, a#, or else I wouldn't be reading this. It's cool. To be fair, I'll tell you my story (short version too).

Music wasn't a given to me, yeah I had a few lessons when I was young, but I fought a teacher and disobeyed the next one- didn't get any farther than Thompson's Easiest Piano Course Bk. 1, ugh- and it was more than 10 years before I got to study music again- and this time it was guitar, not piano.

But ART, that's something I must reconsider. I went to a science high school, so the sciences were emphasized, and art was ever so slightly discouraged. But our art teachers were very good, even the music teacher. I was considering taking up an art course, but it's not allowed for graduates of science high. I did drop out of science high before graduating, but all my college applications were for math and computer (except for this very expensive university - they're well known for their humanities).

So I took BS Math in university. Big mistake. Failed my major, and a couple more subjects. Not entirely a waste of time, though- I did apply for a Fine Arts organization. A filmmaking organization, and I can't even do still photography! But yeah, I attended the seminars, and watched some art films. Before this, I didn't even know art films exist...

I've always wanted to be a teacher, so I transferred to Secondary Education in a small school to ease on the pressure. Big mistake. It was extremely boring, since I'm studying basics again, and the teachers were not very good. And I was 3rd smartest in class. The difference between college and uni was like the ground and the sky.

I also started guitar at the time, and was considering taking it a step further. Since then, I have lost hope for traditional education teaching me. Am enrolled in an integrated music course now. It's like a musical crash course. I found that I love classical piano, so I shifted this year. Piano is much more strict than guitar, and I have all kinds of trouble adjusting.

I got myself to play piano again yesterday... Played guitar that morning, and relished the feeling of having a few performable pieces. And then practiced piano in the afternoon.

[hyrst]

Awesome, A#!  Such an encouraging story

I'm thrilled for you, and thanks - I too am glad to hear something motivating today.

[a-sharp]

Thanx y'all!

Good 4 U, db... I also studied art. It was my 2nd (unfiished, LOL) major. I worked for 9 yrs as a graphic designer. for my ex. ended up hating it (and the ex, lol) ... I also took photography, languages & a couple of science classes. I aced my conceptual physics class (emphasis on *conceptual*, to be clear ). Seems like art, music & science are not that far away from each other huh!

Glad you got yourself at least playing a little again.

I've got a theory placement exam tomorrow. Blech!!

[shingo]

I feel sick, I have been so inconsistent with my practicing over the past few weeks and just realising how much time I have wasted is horrible. The Summer is so haphazzard.

[a-sharp]

Well - look at it this way - losing a couple weeks is nothing compared to "losing" 20 years... Honestly - I think you've not really lost anything. You just need to get warmed up again. Seriously. 2-3 weeks & you'll be back to normal. Just don't *over* practice - you don't want to injure yourself!

[chopinmozart7]

good question

[momopi]

Thank you for your reponses. (Although, I'm a bit surprised it turned out to be a bit Oprah-ish) 

Despite my busy schedule, I did manage to play a little (yey!!!!)  Plus I managed to memorize (albeit, unintentionally) two pieces. I used my old pieces (the ones I have play for ten years) as my sight reading practice pieces. I still feel sad because I cannot play for a long time but I'm managing well.

I'm avoiding watching perfomance or any shows with piano playing as not to motivate me. (Thesis is more important at this time hehe)

I wish I could finish my thesis now. Two more chapters.

[hyrst]

Do you think music is addictive?  Maybe it's actaully dangerous!

[Bob]

I think music could be dangerous, yes.

I also feel very stressed if I can't play something, if I can't get my hands on the keys at least.

[momopi]

Plus I managed to memorize (albeit, unintentionally) two pieces. I used my old pieces (the ones I have play for ten years) as my sight reading practice pieces.

I mean, the ones I haven't played for almost 10 years.

I'm sorry.

Like any other things, it could be dangerous, yes. But I think it has a positive effect for me. It makes me feel more relaxed, more open-minded to foreign culture, and allows me to appreciate form and beauty even in simplest form (since I'm still at intermediate level).

Anyway, my thesis is killing me...

[db05]

momopi, my teacher suggested to us to listen to slow movements while studying. I don't know why, but I know teacher has an answer for everything.  Good luck on your thesis!

[Bob]

Slow music, 60 bmp, and strings.  That's supposed to change the brain waves.  And Mozart is supposed to temporarily increase spatial ability.  That's what I've heard. 

The slow string music effect I've experienced and I've seen it work on groups of students.  I haven't personally noticed any difference with Mozart except thinking "I'm listening to Mozart and I should be smarterer."

But that doesn't change anything about playing music myself though.

[db05]

Mozart doesn't work on me either. I can't say for sure LOL, but it sure does give me headaches. My classmates have suggested I might be getting too smart... Is that even possible? 

[dana_minmin]

I'd still be ok with one day off the piano, but I'll miss it soooo much on the next morning. It's like taking a shower or something you do everyday. It's a habit.

I wish I found my passion in playing piano when I was younger, so that I can opt to be a music major. Now I'm science on the surface, and art underneath it.

[wankimx3]

I think so :/ I was very busy setting up my new phone, contacting my classmates and relatives about me changing to new phone number, helping my sister to send emails, finished my music theory homework......except for my piano practice. Maybe I'm feeling sad cos I felt empty, like something is missing..... :/

[martinn]

I practiced today, but my progress was not much. But I feel happy when listening a record because music is beautiful. Sadness is just a fleeting feeling, caused by whatever.

[sirvicious]

Somewhat. I’m just eavesdropping on my neighbors. If I had a piano I wouldn’t play it. I’d just write music: or try to

[lelle]

Don't know if I feel sad, but I have noticed that if I don't play for a couple of days I start feeling vaguely dissatisfied with life in a way I can't put my finger on. Once I sit and get some work done at the piano, make some progress with something, there is like an "aaaaaah" feeling and that dissatisfied feeling goes away.

[wankimx3]

Don't know if I feel sad, but I have noticed that if I don't play for a couple of days I start feeling vaguely dissatisfied with life in a way I can't put my finger on. Once I sit and get some work done at the piano, make some progress with something, there is like an "aaaaaah" feeling and that dissatisfied feeling goes away.

Eh same! But tbh if I'm really sad, frustrated or disappointed with something I tend to not practice the piano.....but not practicing makes me feel worse as a person :')

It's definitely better to practice every day for at least half an hour to make progress and be satisfied ~ even if it's working on an exam piece.

[lelle]

Eh same! But tbh if I'm really sad, frustrated or disappointed with something I tend to not practice the piano.....but not practicing makes me feel worse as a person :')

It's definitely better to practice every day for at least half an hour to make progress and be satisfied ~ even if it's working on an exam piece.

That's true! Though I think it's very natural to not want to practice if you are having a really bad day. Like if you force yourself to practice when you just don't have it in you and you really need to be processing your sadness or what have you, you are just being needlessly cruel to yourself. One missed day of practice won't set you back.