Courage to play

[pimsud]

I posted this topic to find if someone could give an advice or how to deal with problem that I am facing now.

I learnt to play piano 6 months agoes. It's such a great time. I am enjoyed so much.
One day, I was watching the movie which the main Actor played rachmaninoff then he got nerved and can't play anymore. unlucky it's happened with me also. I am scared to play after i saw that movie. I do really want to play but I don't have courage to play piano anymore.

If you know how to deal or what will be help. Thank you to share your advice.

[schwartzer]

What? If you enjoy playing the piano, you won't get a sudden urge to not play it anymore. Doesn't make too much sense, buddy. It's just a movie.

[coda_colossale]

I too sometimes experience some kind of a "Pianist's block"... That happens when I am practicing pieces or passages that are so difficult for me that it disheartens me and I realize how crappy my technique is.

[iansinclair]

I too sometimes experience some kind of a "Pianist's block"... That happens when I am practicing pieces or passages that are so difficult for me that it disheartens me and I realize how crappy my technique is.

Happens to me, too.  Indeed, it happens to everyone who is more or less alive and sensitive.  One becomes aware, for some reason or another, that one is not performing up to whatever standard is currently in mind.

There is a cure: take a moment or a bit of time and stare out a window, or take a little walk, or something of that sort, and think about how well you are doing whatever -- in this case, piano -- and concentrate on that, on your successes and triumphs with it (however small they may be -- they're still important!) rather than on what you can't do well, or as well as you would like to, or you imagine you ought to be able to.  Then go back and enjoy and be happy with what you can do, instead of worrying about what you can't.

[minimax]

I will add my take to how you can solve your problem, but you have to do your work to accomplish that. There are few ways you can do it.

1. Try to remember what you were thinking while watching and after the movie. What was in it that scared you? Trace back your thoughts as vividly as you can. Then “google” your mind with specific questions to which only yes or no is the answer. For example: Am I afraid that the same thing that happed to the actor will happen to me? (look for the answer in Your mind). Do not allow the mind to create stories why something is or was..... etc. By not allowing I mean turning away from anything other than Yes or No. Only Yes or No is of importance. You need to understand what thinking of yours created that problem. And the problem is your association of specific thoughts with a feeling of fear, which as an emotion is collected in your body. Anytime you start thinking exact or similar thoughts that created the problem, or you find yourself in similar circumstances, that stored memory/emotion of fear is triggered and since it is located in your body you feel certain sensations. Those sensations scare you even more and you get discouraged. Buy understanding how you crated the problem, and I really mean seeing how it happened you will get rid of it. Freeing from fear will happen by itself. You will know if it worked when fear will not come when playing piano.

2. Our mind most of the time creates problems that are not really real, but our mind thinks they are. What I mean by that? Take playing piano as in your case. I will bet that you can sit down in a comfy chair away from the instrument, or on a bench in a park and just start thinking about plying piano - that thinking alone will trigger uneasiness/excitement or plain fear in you.
The FACT will be that you are not plying at the moment. You are far from the piano but the feelings are there. That should show you that you can be afraid of things that are not real, but imaginary. Compare the reality at that moment (see where you are - look around, hear the sounds you hear) with imaginary thoughts that brought the feelings. To loose the fear always try to see what is real around you and what is not (your thoughts). You have to direct you attention into that comparison. Otherwise you mind will run you.

3. Last thing you may try is to go to the piano sit down on a bench and ...feel the fear. Be with it as much as you can. We unconsciously run away from the feelings that bother us, so it is vital to allow that feeling to come up into awareness. Repeat something like that (choice of words is not important): “I allow myself to totally feel the fear”. Watch the sensations you may feel. They may move in a body or just expand, as that energy of fear will be coming up to awareness. BUT see that it is JUST a FEELING. It is noting other than that. It will not kill you. It has a beginning and end and it always passes.


Good luck to You.

[hfmadopter]

I think you are lucky in one sense, you know that this is fear ! I spent a good portion of my life thinking I had anxiety issues and finally figured out it was actually fear. Fear spawns anxiety, they are nearly indistinguishable in some cases aside from things like standing on railroad tracks and you hear a big rumble and can see a head light coming your way, in that you should fear ! So in your case you already know it is fear and you know it was caused by that movie, you just don't know why yet. 2/3 of beating a problem like this is knowing the cause though. I think you will find there is some insecurity involved. Six months is very early on and it actually is prime time to meet a hurdle that you need to get over anyway. I think the movie just triggered it. Go back to your piano, keep working with it, a new love will kindle.

[indianajo]

First off, when practicing for yourself, SLOW DOWN enough in the beginning that you can't make mistakes.  If later you have  a piece up to speed and develop a new habitual mistake, SLOW DOWN and practice that passage (not just the measure) over again slowly enough to play it correctly.  One learns mistakes exactly in the same way one learns correct movements, by repetition, and it is important to spend all your practice time learning the correct movements, not the wrong ones.  
Later, find a gig where the audience doesn't care, and play for them.  I played for a junior choir in a church for years, and as they got better I got a lot better. Even though my favorite repretoire was the Stamps-Baxter chestnuts that were "repurposed" decades ago by the Barney PBS show for general happiness training, nobody objected I was teaching these pieces for their original Christian purpose.  Look around, most junior choirs these days are using CD's and kareoke machines, and a little live music can cut back the glitz and dance and focus the kids more on learning the words and concepts.
Lately, I've been playing for the Saturday free to all who come dinner, at a church downtown.  Nobody else plays for them when I am not there, and they hardly notice.  But I was gratified when before Christmas, in the midst of all the high class Christmas music  I was playing (Holly & the Ivy arr. Winston, In the Bleak Midwinter hymn etc), some old indigent started pounding the table in rhythm to Jingle Bells.  At least I touched one person emotionally last year, even though it wasn't my favorite piece.  
So, perform, get over the nerves, not everybody is as discriminating as you are, and you'll never please professional critics anyway, don't bother.  Real life is not like school, and everybody can find something nasty to say.  Challenge critics by coming right back with "All right, you're so good,  play something for me that you can do better!  Right NOW!"

[faa2010]

I think I also saw the movie you mention.

Don't worry, everything will be fine. Just don't force yourself to play if you don't feel to.

There is some people who develops a Love-Hate Relationship with the piano (or any other activity) when they don't stop, continue practicing without getting a time to rest (specially after a stressful or frustrated event), and forget what is really important, which in part is the joy of playing.

I know that one needs to work harder and pass through many obstacles in order to improve and play better, but there should also be moments to relax.

Also, if you love the craft, then you don't have to be afraid. There is and will always be a reason, a motivation for an artist to continue his/her craft.

[angelacavan]

Hi there, I have to support the advice given my Minimax.  We spend too much time running away from or trying to bury what we feel.  You need to let yourself feel the fear, recognise it for what it is,even talk to it - if that doesn't sound too naff! - and embrace it. You'll find then that it doesn't hold half the power over you that you thought it did.  It's just fear, just another feeling we all experience from time to time.  Best of luck to you.