Over the past week I’ve found myself adding ‘viola practice’ to my ‘to do’ list. This is no bad thing in some ways as I’m still at the habit-forming stage. But, with some of the enthusiasm of the first few weeks having ebbed away, I had a creeping sense that the viola was becoming a chore, which is absolutely the last thing it should be. One of the joys of learning or returning to an instrument as an adult, is that you can come to it without any feelings of bondage: you’re playing because you want to, you’re giving yourself an opportunity to switch off from everything else and do something that gives you pleasure. It is, for want of a better expression, you-time.
So if you do start to dread practising, my advice is to get your instrument out, choose something, anything that is completely un-taxing – music that you know can play without really having to think about it at all – and just enjoy the tune and the fact that you’re able to make music. For me it was jigs and carols, and before I knew it, I’d been there an hour.
Oh yes I can relate to this blog, in my childhood and teens I learned to play piano and got up to Grade 6, then I hit 16 and fell out with my very eccentric piano teacher and totally dropped it all. Years later as an adult I bought myself a piano, dug out my old music books from the attic, and was really really shocked at what a high level I had in fact got to at 16 and how far I have fallen from that. I would like to try and pick it up again but the piano is in our front room, I can’t practise without disturbing everyone else and I never seem to have time either. I’ve been wondering about a keyboard with headphones so I can practise without disturbing anyone. How do you manage to practise without getting on people’s nerves, do you live on your own? perhaps I will discover if I look over your blog more!
(strawberry17 on mumsnet)
It’s really tricky finding the time (and the right place) to practise. At the moment, I go to great lengths to make sure nobody actually hears me play (which is daft and something I’ll need to get over in time) – I basically go to whatever room in the house is empty (and obviously you don’t have that luxury with a piano). I’ve got two preschool children so I often end up practising late at night when they are asleep, chores done, work finished etc, not ideal but it seems to be the best chance I get. And it does help me to switch off from everything else before bed. I think the answer is that you do have to bite the bullet and just play in whatever time/space you have available, and you’ll start to see results soon if you practise regularly. Keyboard and headphones are one option until you get the confidence to ‘go public’, but (a) it’s v different as I recall to an actual piano and (b) expensive to buy the kit. Could you make a deal with whoever you live with that you can claim the front room for just 15-30 mins a day five days a week at a time that’s mutually convenient?
Well I find it hard to fit in the time full stop, at work all day, however there is the odd occaision and I think I may have every Thurs at home (to blitz the housework) so I should make myself sit down for half an hour and go for it, and just take advantage when I can on the occaisions I do have house to myself (not often).
Definitely. Without wanting to sound trite, it really is worth carving out a little time now and again to do something you enjoy (even if it means the house is a bit grubbier that day/week…)
I have managed to subscribe now.
I may hold you responsible for my house getting grubbier then
Brilliant, thank you. Bring on the dust!