I´m too tired :(

[3kitty333]

Hi! I began my summer job, I work for 6 hours in restaurant (hate it), but when I get home I have to practise, because of concert. I know I dont work for long time, but its very exhausting, I need some relax, I always enjoyed practising (sometimes :-D), but now have to force myself to play.
What do you do when you don´t have enough time or feel so tired? And how do you force yourself to practise?
thanks for some tips

[j0seph]

Maybe practice before you go to work if you can.

Or give up...(joking)

Maybe play something easy that you enjoy first.  That way instead of working on new stuff (tedious...I hate it   ) you can relax and enjoy a song you play well.  Then since you are already sitting there you can force yourself to work on the stuff you need to.

To answer your question...what did I do?  I gave up .  Stopped playing for the last year pretty much because of school and work (no time).  Now trying to force myself back to it over summer.

[go12_3]

Guess what...I get so tired that I can't even  think about playing anything on the piano,
but there are times I have to force myself to play something, even for 10 minutes.
How about playing something nice, and simple, like some Bach?  His pieces covers about
very technique.  Or play some sonatinas.  You are getting ready for a concert?  whoa!  Okay, here's the deal, just practice for 10 mintues, then take a break and do something fun, return, then practice for 15 mintues when you are not as tired.  Are you burned out?  Feeling stressed out?  Depressed for any reason?  There can be two kinds of feeling tired ...tired in the mind and tired in body.  There are many factors that contribute to your feeling tired. 
Make sure you are getting enough rest and nutruition in order to feel not as tired.
Hope you'll feel better and not as tired.  =)

[ahinton]

How about playing something nice, and simple, like some Bach?

Oh, so will someone somewhere please tell this admittedly non-pianist what's so "simple" about anything of the immortal and wonderful Bach?!?...

Best,

Alistair

[go12_3]

Oh, so will someone somewhere please tell this admittedly non-pianist what's so "simple" about anything of the immortal and wonderful Bach?!?...

Best,

Alistair

That's why I suggested Bach, because he is complex and complicated, but for a concert pianist , I'm sure they can handle Bach anytime     And once a pianist FEELS that they can play through a Bach half way decently, then may the Gods smile upon him! 

[doryanne]

Hi,
I am tired, too, in this period but my problem is less serious than yours because I have no concert, I just learn to play for my own pleasure. However I don't want for the time to pass without making progresses so I try to play every day - and I succeed.  But if it happens to be too tired one day or simply not to have the energy to concentrate and practice, I just skip one day without feeling guilty. I know that that I love piano enough not to abandon it and if I make a break, I know that I will return with more will to play. Important is not to associate in your mind the piano practice and play with something unpleasant, an obligation: it should be something that brings joy in your life 

[rmbarbosa]

I`m a medical doctor, I work hard in my Hospital <> 50 hours/week. I only can  play after 22H00 and I play untill 2H00 AM (on a digital, of course, to dont disturb anyone; I can play in my grand at weekends only. Sometimes I feel very tired but piano (even technical exercises) relax me. I never feel so tired that I cant play. So, its not easy for me to understand or to "feel" what you say. But I do know that no one is a machine, all we are human beings. therefore, if you feel tired, stop. Because, as human beings, we are not slaves but freemen. Listen other players. Relax. And return to your piano only when you feel you can do it with pleasure.
The best of the best to you
Rui

[butterfly79]

Would it maybe be easier if you take a nap after work and then practice?

[Bob]

I've made a few posts about this -- You have the time, but no energy.  I don't have a solution except to do a little practicing, maybe ease back, but still do something.

Habits are powerful too.  If you do scales, etc., technical work, you won't have to think much but the physical side still gets a work out.  Even patterns for the mind help.

Good nutritution, exericse, good sleep, etc. 

And then the ultimate -- cut out or cut back on whatever else is going on that is wearing you out. 

If you work through things, you can become stronger in the long run.  I remember some time management blurb that said you can train yourself to be your own slave.  We have to work, so there's really not much other choice. 

[3kitty333]

Thanks for all answers!! I have 6 new pieces and over three months to recital  I want to be completely prepared to not get so nervous, I practise 3-4 hours a day on holiday. I do everything in that restaurant, cleaning, preparing food etc.. no break for 6 hours... but thats just summer job, I go to university next year.
I love to play pieces I can play, but hate to practise when Im tired.
10 hours in school wasnt so exhausting like this job, but its better now thanks

[mike saville]

Can I suggest that you don't think about the practice. Just tell yourself that you will start. Don't worry about how long or how much - just start. Beginning is most often the hardest part about practice.

Might I also suggest that you don't measure your practice in terms of time. To me time is completely irrelevant. More important is 'What did you achieve?"

If you only achieved "4 hours" that's not much to write home about IMO. However if you memorised 1 page, got past all the errors for bars 12-24, played that exercise at crochet=160 then you cold say that you have achieved something.

[ihavetoleave]

Guess what...I get so tired that I can't even  think about playing anything on the piano,
but there are times I have to force myself to play something, even for 10 minutes.
How about playing something nice, and simple, like some Bach?  His pieces covers about
very technique.  Or play some sonatinas.  You are getting ready for a concert?  whoa!  Okay, here's the deal, just practice for 10 mintues, then take a break and do something fun, return, then practice for 15 mintues when you are not as tired.  Are you burned out?  Feeling stressed out?  Depressed for any reason?  There can be two kinds of feeling tired ...tired in the mind and tired in body.  There are many factors that contribute to your feeling tired. 
Make sure you are getting enough rest and nutruition in order to feel not as tired.
Hope you'll feel better and not as tired.  =)

Good!I also feel tired sometimes but I have to pratice. Your suggestions are so useful.They help me a lot!