Tell me this is just a phase!

[charmsjr94]

Hi,

I'll be entering my first year as a music major at a top ten music ranked university this year. I'm not saying this to try and impress anyone but because I'm concerned with my future.

Before this summer, during my senior year, I would practice upwards of six hours a day. I would play in the morning before class started, skip lunch every single day to work on my auditions, and then go home and practice more when I was done with extra curriculars and didn't have work. I did this around the band, choirs, jazz band, and orchestra that I had to do daily.

I finally had my audition and was shocked when I made it into the school I really wanted to go and I continued to practice regularly afterwords.

Then, the summer happened and I lost all motivation to practice. My house is very hectic and I'm the only musician in my house so no one really cares. I've managed to practice at least 3 times a week for at least 1-3 hours and I've only had a 5 hour practice day a couple times. School is right around the corner and I'm hoping I can get my concentration back. I love the piano more than anything else but I get so distracted.

Any advice to my incessant rambling?

Thank you

[davidjosepha]

It's just a phase.

...

Okay, I told you, now what? 

But really, having less time makes you more efficient with your time. I used to find that during the school year, when I'd be in school 7-8 hours a day and doing homework for hours after that, I'd still manage to find several hours to practice every day, even though that was just about all the free time I had in the entire day.

But then over Christmas, spring, and summer breaks, I'd often only play a couple times a week. Losing all the structure to my life made me lazy with piano playing too. This summer, though, I've been playing hours and hours every day. Why this summer but not most summers?? Well, I think it's because the last couple summers I worked inconsistent evening shifts at a grocery store. It could be 4-9 Tuesday, 5-10:30 on Friday, noon to 6 on Saturday, 7-1 Sunday etc. I was doing something that took up a lot of my time, but it wasn't rigid. I still wasn't in a schedule. This summer, I'm working a desk job 8-5 weekdays. I'm in a rigid schedule, which I think is why I'm able to focus my energy better at the piano in my free time.

Basically, I wouldn't worry about this becoming a habit. As soon as school starts back up again, I'm sure you'll be able to find time to play the piano and become motivated again.

[jesc]

As young as you are, and a freshman, it is just a phase. As for feedback on your rambling,

Short term: Get your concentration back asap or keep your competence in check. It is better to start the school year/term strongly than lagging. Especially since you mentioned you're entering a top university.

Long term: If this loss of motivation happens again in the senior years and beyond. Most likely it will be more complicated than being just a phase. So watch out for that.

[m1469]

You are at a milestone transition in your life which probably needs to be digested, you have graduated from a regular schedule which has been in place for your whole life, and have suddenly entered a sphere of the unknown.  I think it's natural that you are experiencing a difference in your motivation, especially considering that you worked really hard before this and probably genuinely need a break.  I'm personally not one to take breaks very often, but occasionally I need them and when I'm recognizing those signs and it's possible to heed them, I do.  Breaks can be very important and progressive in the big picture, and even provide a freshness that allows you to reach new levels on the other side.  It's like a major PPI  .  
Give yourself formal permission to take some time off (even if it's just a few days, but even up to a couple of weeks (and you can get your packing done  )) instead of getting in partial days that are unfulfilling or sparse, and then a formal day when you'll restart, put it in your calendar, plan what you're going to practice, and then get back to it with a fresh perspective and as a University student.  

[bluesandjazzpiano]

I went through a phase like this about 5 years ago, I got out of it by going back and reviewing the basics and did not allow myself to practice only:

Major and minor triads through the cycle of 4ths with inversions.

7th chords (all types) through the cycle of 4ths with inversions.

Major and minor (harmonic) scales.

Exercises contained in Progressive Exercises in Sightreading by Hanna Smith.

all done with a metronome, slowly.

I found I did not know this stuff as well as I thought I did-after about two weeks of this I found that my playing had taken a quantum leap forward and that I enjoyed playing a lot more, both jazz and
classical.  Whenever I feel bored or frustrated-this routine works really well.  It took a LOT of patience but really paid off.

Hope this helps.

[j_menz]

For my money, you're on a break between studying piano at school and studying piano at university. Make it a break and have some fun.

[bugrad]

I agree with J_Menz, enjoy your summer.  Once school starts you will be very very busy.  Good luck in your first year !

[charmsjr94]

Thank you all, I genuinely feel much better about the coming year.