When NOT to Practice Your Instrument
We're always telling you to
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE—
—but, like your mom's nagging, all this talk of what you should be doing all the time can make you feel seriously guilty anytime you decide to take a little break. And yet, sometimes,
IT'S OKAY NOT TO PRACTICE.
Serious musicians who take a break (whether it be a day, week, month, or year) from practicing for whatever reason often feel guilty or even depressed as a result. For regular practicers, not practicing may feel like
- not brushing your teeth
- wearing the same underwear all week
- letting dishes pile up in the sink
- not checking Facebook
WHEN NOT TO PRACTICE
Cut yourself some slack. Here are a few instances when you probably shouldn't (or literally can't) practice:
- Right before a performance. WARM UP, but don’t wear yourself out with a real practice session. Tune, play a few scales, and review a few tricky passages, but don’t wear out your fingers the morning of your big performance.
- During rehearsal. We know you're just itching to work on (or show off) that tricky lick in the concerto you're working on, but spare your conductor and your stand partner. Rehearsal time is never practice time—it's unprofessional and distracting.
- When you’re really, really tired. There is apparently no difference between driving sleepy and driving drunk. Practice when you're that tired and you'll likely not even remember what you practiced. You might even fall over and impale yourself with your bow. Don't kill yourself—get some sleep and practice in the morning when you're fresh and alert.
- When you’re injured. This totally sucks, but if you have tendonitis, a broken arm, or some other injury that requires rest and recovery, you'll just have to take a break, perhaps missing an upcoming performance or even a whole orchestra semester or season. Take your mind off your inability to play by focusing on another hobby or skill you can practice or develop during your "off-season."
- After you’ve played a recital. If you don't take at least a day off after a huge performance, you're probably obsessed. And that's okay.
- When you really deserve a break. Maybe you're just shy of your goal to practice 5 or 10 hours a week. If you just can't squeeze in those last couple hours, think back on what you have accomplished and start fresh next week. It's more about the quality of your practice—not the quantity—anyway.
- When someone asks you on a date. Seriously, music nerd! Put down your instrument and put on your dancing shoes! Bach isn't your boyfriend—but this guy might be if you give him a chance.
- When someone dies. If you're really hard-core, you may consider death to be a lame excuse. But when big life events happen—births, deaths, marriages, etc.—it's time to focus on what's really important in life, which is more than music or your personal agenda. Take time out to develop relationships, be there for others, and take care of your family and friends. That's the real stuff of life.
- When you have a fever over 104°. Put your violin down and go see a doctor.
- When you’ve practiced so much that you hate your instrument, your teacher, and music all together. You may be at a point where your instrument is like a really annoying two-year-old constantly screaming bloody murder in your ear, demanding all of your energy, and keeping you up all night. It's time to get a babysitter (i.e. your violin case) and step away for a breather. People tend to appreciate things (kids, instruments, food) when they haven't seen them for a time. Take a moment to step away and 1) ask yourself why you play your instrument and 2) think of all the things you love about music and how it enriches your life.
WHEN YOU COME BACK
When you do come back to your instrument after a short (or long, if necessary), reprieve, you'll likely appreciate it much more than you did before your separation, breakup, or last "big fight." Hopefully you'll be able to kiss, makeup, and get back to making beautiful music together.
But in the meantime, enjoy the break. You deserve it!
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Replies
GREAT ARTICLE!!
Awesome! I always have trouble with 4 and 9. Haha Also, with social events.
Perfectly put.
Since my daughter was born, it became much harder to practice. If she's awake, I gotta help taking care of her. If she's sleeping, I can't wake her up. Now, in the very little time I have on my disposal, I try to make the most of it. It’s not ideal, but it’s worth it.
Alan, did you actually try playing when your daughter is asleep? My newborn grandson doesn't wake up from my playing, even if I'm in the same room. Also, my kids never woke up when their father, who is a professional oboist, played very near them. It's worth a try, maybe.
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January 22, 2014 at 07:54 AM · Thank you for this. Especially 8 resonated with me. Since my wonderful grandson was born recently, I've been devoting time a lot of to him and his parents and enjoying that immensely. Still, it keeps me from practicing the violin as much as I used to over these past two years since I started. I know that's ok, but it doesn't always feel that was. So thank you for the reminder.