Don't pratice in a week!

[hermanberntzen]

Can't pratice in a week because im in Poland , how do you feel at the piano if you haven't been praticed for a week or longer.. I'm afraid it's gonna feel like start all over ..
Bet my fingers are clumsy and very ''rusted'' , Thanks for replies !

[geze]

I feel that there is something missing when i have not practiced for a day let alone a week. When you come back, do some finger exercises and scales to warm your fingers up. Then start playing your pieces and if they are rusty practice them SLOWLY until they are up to scratch. This trip, i assume, was preplanned, therefore it should've been in your practice plan (i suggest you make one if you havent done so)

[jaggens]

Hi some thoughts I have..

1) Take the note sheets with you and practice these pieces in you head. Imagine the playing and music etc. as clearly as possible.

2) Sometimes you can work with your musical taste and vision in your head even better than with piano.

3) Our muscles, muscular memory and nerves and brain are all one systems. And if we train, a big part of developments happens in our brain. It has been developed that even if sportsmen imagine exactly doing sports inside their head, there will be development.

4) You can do some excercises for fingers also without instrument. For example independence excercises, quick movement and release excercises and so on.

Hope you will survive the week.

P.S - I have found poles extremely kind and hospitable

GL

[allthumbspiano]

I've never had a problem going for a week away from the piano.  Sometimes I think it helps things sink in better and I actually have a piece down a little more when I get back.

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

I feel your pain, I'm away from home right now.... I miss my piano 

Sometimes a short break (ie one week) does help though. At least for me. I wouldn't worry.

Maybe you can find a piano somewhere to practise on though, I'm sure it's possible.

[jollisg]

I came home from Cyprus for two days ago (I was there for a week). While I was gone I became a little... strange. I was "practicing" on tables, on the bed or whatever. I missed my piano so much!

When I came home I felt a little bit slower in my fingers, like if I'd lost muscles. But that was fixed after a day or so. One good thing is, that now I see the pieces in another light. I play them better I think But it's so not worth missing the piano for a week   

[pianolessongirl]

I agree with thumbs. I have been away at times and although I miss not playing, I usually feel more focused and invigorated when getting back.

Hope it will be the same with you. But, don't fret, you will be fine! 

[pianoman53]

When I know I wont be able to play for a while, I always practise a lot the days before. Then it feels really good to rest! The day you come back, everything will most probably suck. But just the day after, it might be even better than before you left. Just practise slowly for a couple of days, and you'll be fine...

[hermanberntzen]

Thanks for replies , i usally praticse 6 - 7 hours aday at home , but in the holiday im much away from the piano .. But yesterday i randomly played on a resturang that had a piano , soo it worked out .. Played Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata mvt.1 soo i got a drink for it !   Anyways im going home tomorrow but then im going away again after two days !

Thanks

[countrymath]

, but in the holiday im much away from the piano ..

I know the feeling. That's why I hate holidays

[arturgajewski]

I've never had a problem going for a week away from the piano.  Sometimes I think it helps things sink in better and I actually have a piece down a little more when I get back.

Brain needs a little break for the information to sink in. Have you ever experienced this when you practice a new song or new language and you train those notes or words? The the next morning they come out more naturally?

This is because your brain, although you're asleep, works hard to "defragment" the information and next morning information as well as muscular skills are better than during the day of practice. This is why sleep is sooo important and I always stress this when it come to my practicing. I never want to stay up late and practice piano until the late hours because at the end it does only harm.

[go12_3]

I think daily practice is important, however,  I need a break from practicing at times. 
The mind and fingers need to rest in order to rejuvenate.  I don't think your fingers will
be clumsy nor rusty!  What you have practiced will always remain within you.  It's like
not typing for a long time; after you start typing it comes back to you.  I would
enjoy your week off and not worry because after you return home, you'll love to practice
more and your fingers will enjoy playing the piano once again.   

[tantif]

I have one of those 'roll up' piano keyboard things which I always take away with me.  Okay its not the real thing but for someone like me who ism working very hard to improve my sight reading, I try not to miss a day unless I can help it.  At least the fingering distances are the same.

Does anyone else have a view on these 'roll up' keyboards?

[countrymath]

I have one of those 'roll up' piano keyboard things which I always take away with me.  Okay its not the real thing but for someone like me who ism working very hard to improve my sight reading, I try not to miss a day unless I can help it.  At least the fingering distances are the same.

Does anyone else have a view on these 'roll up' keyboards?

I like them

They have midi conection. Its great for compose everywhere.

[prok_2]

What you can do is maybe take your sheet music along with you and do some practicing 'away from the piano' - this might also be a good time to memorise music which can be done regardless of whether or not you're at the piano.

[tantif]

I'm going away for a week on Saturday and I am already beginning to have withdrawals and fretting about how I will cope without it, even with a roll up piano!!

However, I have plans, using some of the suggestions already given.  I understand that breaks can be useful but a whole week seems a long time especially since I have made such marvellous progress on my sight reading skills since the start of the year.  So, I totally empathise with you.

[hermanberntzen]

Thanks for the fedback , it all went well .. and i even played at a resturang .. i just stepped randomly in. Now im back and the praticse is doing just fine!

[countrymath]

Same for me =)

I almost played on a restaurant

[emma84]

Hi some thoughts I have..

1) Take the note sheets with you and practice these pieces in you head. Imagine the playing and music etc. as clearly as possible.

2) Sometimes you can work with your musical taste and vision in your head even better than with piano.

3) Our muscles, muscular memory and nerves and brain are all one systems. And if we train, a big part of developments happens in our brain. It has been developed that even if sportsmen imagine exactly doing sports inside their head, there will be development.

4) You can do some excercises for fingers also without instrument. For example independence excercises, quick movement and release excercises and so on.

Hope you will survive the week.

P.S - I have found poles extremely kind and hospitable

GL

I totally agree with you.
P.S. Your site doesn't work.