Finding motivation/inspiration to practice?

[the_otaku_pianist]

Hello everyone!
For a while now, I've lost my motivation to practice the piano. I used to love playing the piano so much, but after a while, I've lost that strong sense of passion. I really would like to get back into it, though. I always feel like I should be practicing, but when I actually sit down at the piano to practice, I just feel a strong sense of unwillingness.
I'm thinking that maybe this lack of motivation and inspiration could be from being tired when I get back from school? School seems to drain a lot of my focus, so this could be the case.

Does anyone have any tips on how I could possibly motivate or inspire myself to practice more?

Just for reference, my repertoire at the moment consists of:
Chopin's Scherzo 2
Beethoven's Sonata No. 17 (Op. 31, No. 2)

Thank you in advance!

[j_menz]

Do you ever play just for fun?

[the_otaku_pianist]

Do you ever play just for fun?

I do But not my usual repertoire, more just soundtracks from my favorite shows and what-not.
When it comes to practicing my actual repertoire, I get that strong feeling of unwillingness.

[j_menz]

So skip the practice for a bit. Just play what you enjoy. It won't hurt you, and may remind you why you play, and why you practice.

[michael_c]

Just for reference, my repertoire at the moment consists of:
Chopin's Scherzo 2
Beethoven's Sonata No. 17 (Op. 31, No. 2)

How long have you been working on just those two pieces? Maybe a change would do you good.

I'd suggest this: find a piece that you really want to play, something that inspires you. Something not too long but demanding: Debussy, Rachmaninov, Skriabin, whoever excites you. Take the piece to your teacher and ask if you could learn it, putting the other pieces on hold for a while.

When I was at school I had a teacher who had a wonderful quality: when she noticed that certain pieces were getting stale on me she would herself suggest I look for something else to practice for a while. She would often suggest pieces herself, but the important thing was that they had to inspire me: I was the one who made the choice. Starting on a new piece brought back the excitement to practicing.

[bronnestam]

I agree with previous writers: put those pieces on hold for a while, and concentrate on things you really like to play. Listen to a lot of piano music, find favourite pieces you cannot wait to try yourself.

What is most important is that you find you joy in playing and practicing again, because if you lose it, it's like the Kiss of Death to you as a piano player.

But I also know that some things drain your energy totally. You have school - I have a child with difficulties. I know that there are moments when you just don't have anything left for piano playing. Then please just take a break from it and concentrate on school or whatever it is. The piano will wait for you. Piano playing is something you do for a whole lifetime, and one or a few weeks off will NOT "ruin" your playing. You might feel a bit rusty when you come back, but you will regain your skills in no time. What matters is that you feel happy and healthy. Take care of yourself.

[bernadette60614]

Your question could not be more timely.  I have had one cold/flu/sinus infection after another for the last 6 weeks, and got out of the habit of practicing.  It used to be like brushing my teeth. After dinner was done and the dishes were put away, I practiced.  And, I didn't even have to think about it, I just did it.

After 6 weeks of pretty much working, then vegging, I'm out of the practice of practice.  6 minutes seems to be all the focused attention I can bring to the keyboard.  So, I'm building up slowly.  First those 6 minutes, then adding 5 minutes each time I sit down.  Now, I'm routinely back up to 45 minutes to an hour each day.

Perhaps if afterschool isn't working for you, try before school. When I have meetings in the evening or some time to spend tutoring our son (who also has issues), I know that I'm not going to practice at 10 p.m. when I get home or 8 p.m. if we've spent a long time working on some big project.  I will practice at 5:30 a.m. (which I know sounds brutal), but then I know that it is done for the day.

Finally, if it bothers you that you aren't motivated to practice, you are still a serious student.  If it doesn't bother you, then it is time to take up another activity!

[ted]

Perhaps greater changes than new pieces might help. Try widening your musical influence to include world music, genres and instruments new to you. What about the creative aspects, improvisation and composition ? Practice is not the end goal in itself, art is, music is, the expression of the psyche in abstract sound. Enjoyable discipline is healthy, but if it becomes too much of a daily grind then apathy sets in. It's probably your brain's way of telling you it wants more variety.

[lostinidlewonder]

You need a piano buddy or a friend or piano teacher, someone you can share your musical journey with in person. Studying music is a very lonely affair as we sit in a room by ourselves tinkering away, for some this separation from the world is a sanctuary, but it can be very isolated and you can flounder about thinking your progress is useless, there is no one cheering you on.

[bernadette60614]

Something else which helps me:  Instead of working away at my pieces for the entirety of my practice session, ending the last quarter with playing pieces I've already gotten to a point where I can play them fluidly for pleasure.

My piano teacher, who is just the best, said to me:  Just don't work on your garden, take time to enjoy the blooming flowers.

[perfect_playing]

What pieces do you want to learn? If there's at least one piece on that list, that should be sufficient motivation to practise.

[bernadette60614]

Also, are you tired?  Many kids are under a tremendous amount of pressure in school and that requires a great deal of mental and physical energy.  I have friends with kids in high school trying to get into Ivy League schools who report that their kids sleep only 4 hours a night, because there is so much homework.

Sleeping as much as you need to, getting out everyday and doing something fun can make a big difference.