Feeling down

[niluh01]

After I had decided a year ago to become more serious about piano, I started to enjoy praciticing it everyday for 3 to 4 hours. Now the summerholidays have started and I moved from the city (I do not own a piano and have always practiced at University) to a different city to work. I am busy with work and this small city has no practice opportunity. I suddenly realize how much the piano meant in my life and how it did help me to relax and calm down (after exam stress or work). It seems like I can't live without the piano. I hope that my depression will go soon. Does anyone else feel the same or had a similar experience?

[bronnestam]

Oh yes. I also started to get serious about one year ago. However, I have seldom had the opportunity to practice as much as you have; if I can get 1-2 hours in a day I consider myself lucky.

Now, my children are off from school and it is very hard for me getting the opportunity to practice at all without getting disturbed all the time. My son complains about my piano playing and tries to interrupt it whenever he sees me sit there, even though I have head phones. (He is diagnosed with authism and ADD.) I would like to play much more than I can today, and this makes me sad.

A way to get more practicising time, though, without being at the piano, is to practice in your head. I often sit down with the notes and read them and imagine that I'm playing. Don't underestimate the value of this kind of mental practice, I have realized it is very beneficial.

So - to overcome your depression, my advice is that you study WHAT YOU CAN, and also that you listen to a lot of piano music. Maybe you can take the opportunity to study some music theory? Or maybe get yourself another kind of instrument, like a flute or a guitar, and learn them instead. All of this will be good for your piano playing, so you are not wasting your time.

[niluh01]

Yes, unfortunately the piano is an instrument that takes a lot of space; a huge factor when trying to learn it. Thank you for your comment. I will follow your advice and actually I do have to do some music theory as well. Listening to piano music does however make me said and I long to feel the touch of the keys again. I hope that we both will find someday more time and opportunity to practice and play the piano.