Hi Everyone,

I passed my Grade 7 piano in March and was over the moon with my result (I got a distinction) - It really gave me some confidence in my playing but since getting the result I can't get back into practising. I practised like mad for the exam and now I just feel wiped out... and find it really difficult to get back into playing anything at all:( The worst thing is that I don't want to practice whereas before it was just a habit, like cleaning my teeth.... and it never bothered me. I think I was so scared of the exam I really pulled out all the stops..

Hopefully this won't last very long but I wondered if anyone has experienced the same situation and how you got around it...

Thanks!

Hi pianolady

Congratulations on passing your Grade 7 with a distinction

I don't think you need to worry about not being able to get back into practicing. You are probably feeling a bit burnt out after all the hard work you put in for your exam. Also after working so hard for something it can be a bit of an anti-climax afterwards. You just need a rest and to take things a bit easier for a while. I'm sure in a couple of weeks you will find yourself getting back into the swing of things.

I go through stages of practising like mad for weeks on end and then find I have a period where I can't just focus on anything. During stages like this although I sit down at the piano to practice I don't actually achieve anything, although I'm sure I am. I think perhaps that sometimes it's just better to go with the flow and accept that you'll sometimes feel like this rather than worry about it.

after my exams I always find it tricky to get back into routine too.

I find the best thing to do is play through some lighter music during my practise and not spend so long focusing on my main pieces. By lighter I mean going back over pieces from lower grades I particularly liked etc.

This means I look forward to practising more, rather than feeling I am murdering any new music I have.

Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks to Lucia and Tamsin, Your comments do help. I was getting quite frustrated because it's never happened to me before. I expect I need a holiday and come back all recharged.

Well done!!!!
I have that problem with my violin now as well coz i just passed my grade 4. It always happens to me after an xam because Ive pratised so hard before it I just want a rest so I dont work very hard, try to avoid practising but make myself do it and loath it in general for a few weeks and then once I get back into a routine Im fine!!!
Hope this has helped
xxx

yeah I spent about 2 hours everyday about a week before the exam (and ignore all the work I needed to do for AS).... and haven't played piano for about 3 weeks.....

Hello Many Congrats on passing! I'v recently done my grade 8 piano, but still waiting for my results! I did my exam at the end of march, and havnt touched my piano since. Once i get my result thru il start thinking about playing pieces i really enjoy and play for leisure before starting any long practices focusing on something.

Hope you manage to get back into it!