no incentive to play the piano

[nightymelon]

This is my first post on this website, but I've been lurking around for a while so hello! 

I have concerns with being motivated to play the piano. For the past few months now, it seems that I've lost all the incentive to practice. I remember my mom sometimes nagged me for not practicing at all, and after this one huge scolding, it was as if that moment, I completely lost my reason to play the piano. Sometimes, for whatever reason, playing it just doesn't feel the same anymore.

What are some advises that could get me out of this mental slump?

[m1469]

Play anyway. 

[quantum]

Play another instrument for a while.  Eventually you will come back to the piano. 

Along with m1469's suggestion, I'd say improvise at the piano.  Doesn't matter if you don't know how, or if you think it sounds bad.  Play anyway. 

[sucom]

It may help to find a new piece of music that you really like as this might help to inspire you. And perhaps instead of practising, just play for the sheer enjoyment.  It may be that you've spent so much time 'practising' you have forgotten how to enjoy the music itself. Forget about wrong notes for a while, and instead, just let the energy of the music flow.

[countrymath]

Play another style.

[jaggens]

Hi Nightymelon,

some ideas:

1) Think why do you like to play the piano and what does it give to you. Go into the feeling that you already can do it. If you imagine the feeling that you could have while being able to do something or play a piece you really like, it can give motivation. Then you can direct the motivation into practicing.
2) Listen to your favourite pieces.
3) Think about positve events that have occurred during your piano-life.
4) Listen to great pianists and child prodgies.
5) Do something new, get some new ideas and information and use it practically in playing the piano. You can discover something that could surprise you and give you a push.

These are some things that help me. Maybe they can help you too

best wishes,
Jaak

[jimbo320]

Nighty,
Welcome to the forum first of all.
My incentive is listening to someone else and be picking out the keys in my head telling myself "I can do that". Then prove it...

[flyinfingers]

What if I told you that you will make a big mistake by quitting.  I believe I quit to get back at my mom because I swear it was the only compliment she ever gave me was how good I was at the piano.   Now when I think back on why I quit it was because I was a rebellious teenager (still kind of a rebel) but maybe you're doing the same thing I did.  You will be sorry if you quit, in my opinion.  Maybe take a break and ask yourself, "If I never play piano again will my heart and soul feel fulfilled?"   Best wishes!

[nightymelon]

Play another instrument for a while.  Eventually you will come back to the piano. 

Along with m1469's suggestion, I'd say improvise at the piano.  Doesn't matter if you don't know how, or if you think it sounds bad.  Play anyway. 

I wish I could, but I'm not so sure how to improvise on the piano. It seems like a good idea, so I will probably look it up on Youtube to see how it works.

Hi Nightymelon,

some ideas:

1) Think why do you like to play the piano and what does it give to you. Go into the feeling that you already can do it. If you imagine the feeling that you could have while being able to do something or play a piece you really like, it can give motivation. Then you can direct the motivation into practicing.
2) Listen to your favourite pieces.
3) Think about positve events that have occurred during your piano-life.
4) Listen to great pianists and child prodgies.
5) Do something new, get some new ideas and information and use it practically in playing the piano. You can discover something that could surprise you and give you a push.

These are some things that help me. Maybe they can help you too

best wishes,
Jaak

There are times when I do feel like I want to play the piano after listening to a great performance. Sometimes, I have these bitter moments if I do start playing. I'm not sure why I feel pessimistic about this, but I will try and take up your various tips. Thank you.

[sunshine_keys]

I have been kinda going through the same thing recently. It's all about practicing and perfecting my songs for the week. But when I just sit down and play for enjoyment as sucom suggested it's more fun and I enjoy it more. Try it. Then I feel more motivated to practice my songs and want to play. Or listen to other piano pieces and find a song that you really want to play and I say to yourself "I can play this." Find the sheets and start playing. It always helps when it's a song you love : )

[pianoplayjl]

Same here. The only thing keeping me playing the piano at the moment is listening to pieces that I like and Might want to learn in the future.

[_achilles_]

Taking a break isn't a bad idea in my opinion. Don't even worry about not playing. Come back when you feel like playing again and just passionately play something you enjoy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

[countrymath]

Taking a break isn't a bad idea in my opinion. Don't even worry about not playing. Come back when you feel like playing again and just passionately play something you enjoy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

I agree. Its not a good ideia to force yourself to learn something you don't want to.

[Derek]

I wish I could, but I'm not so sure how to improvise on the piano. It seems like a good idea, so I will probably look it up on Youtube to see how it works.

Why look it up on youtube? Check out the Improvisations child forum of the Audition room. There are several people here who are "prolific" improvisers, most of whom would be happy to answer questions or even correspond with you.

I'm personally not very impressed with what youtube has to offer in the way of improvisation instruction videos. They're either extremely constrained to something ridiculously simple, or focused entirely on a very specific style. There's very little on "how" to develop the mental process for it. Finding a real person to talk to about this topic may be your best bet. This is a topic which I sincerely believe "let me google that for you" is definitely not the answer.

But anyway, it IS an excellent foil against playing pieces. I sort of go through cycles, myself, where I'll play some pieces for a few weeks, and then improvise for a few weeks. The great thing about improvisation is you can tailor what you're playing to how you're feeling, even in terms of energy level, mentally and physically. If you're feeling tired or down, you can play something very simple and soothing. That's one way you can "play anyway."

[kellyc]

Hi: The need to either play an instrument or paint or express ourselves artistically is part of the human condition. We do it as little children by drawing, or banging a pot with a spoon , or singing when no one is listening. This need doesn't go away just because you get older. The thing of it is that if you don't play the piano and lots of people don't, then how will you fulfill this need to express yourself. If you don't want to practice for awhile don't.  Take the skills you have and express yourself to the best of your ability.  Do it for you. NOt for your teacher, or Parents, or friends, or relatives.  Just enjoy what you have accomplished so far. Try other forms of expression. Sing, Dance, Paint, etc. Sometimes even when the fire seems out, an ember still burns and my reignite the passion. Just keep making yourself heard and the rest will work itself out.

Kelly