I've had a lot on recently, and I've not had much time at the piano. My teacher's also just about to go on holiday and my next lesson isn't for a few weeks. I've got stuff to work on and, after Saturday (when the last thing I'm working on is over), I'll have my piano time back.

The problem is, though, I don't seem as excited about playing as I did before. In fact, since my Grade 2 exam 8 weeks ago, I don't think I've improved at all (probably got worse to tell you the truth ).

I've examined all my reasons for wanting to play, and they're all still applicable, but it doesn't seem as much fun any more.

Do you think it's just the novelty factor has worn off now, and the real stuff starts now, or can it maybe be a sign of something more serious lurking beneath the surface?

What you do guys do when you feel undermotivated?

Leave playing for a while - do something else, and then come back to it when you feel ready. Then, when you come back to playing, your motivation should be back again. Alternatively, if you feel up to it, play what you enjoy - try something new - leave off any exam pieces for the while.

~Wobby~

Your apparent lack of improvement may be partly due to the fact that you tend to spend more time generally on exam pieces and polish them to a higher standard.
Also as you move on progress can slow down and be less easy to notice.
Having an enforced break from lessons and the 'usual' dip after an exam may also be factors.
Having been busy with other things won't help as it can be difficult to get going again after having to do less than usual.

Play some of your favaourite things and try to pace your practice so that you've completed what your teacher has set for you to do by the time of your next lesson.

Maybe you should try to find a piece you really love and which is within your present capabilities (obviously I can only speak for myself, but I have sometimes fallen in love with a composition, and have tried to learn it, even though it is way beyond me and ended up discouraged and the piece unmastered).
If the music really inspires you, then your enthusiasm will probably return.
Well done getting such a fantastic mark in your exam.

when things are bit slow I find some pieces to play that I probably won't tell my teacher about, not because
I feel I can't but because we run out of time doing the things he knows about already.

These are always much simpler pieces so I get the feeling of instant success. Usually jazzy but
sometimes soft moody stuff.

There are short improvisation exercises which are fun.

Going down the list, there are Bach chorales done according to Richmann's super sight-reading secrets book,
ie hands on lap, not looking at keyboard, feel for the chords in each hand. Repeat for each chord.
In about 5 years time when I've done them all, I can move on to page 7 (or whatever) of the book
***runs off screaming hysterically**

When I get really bored but still want to touch the keyboard I work out weird scales.
e.g. G minor in the right hand and Dminor in the left hand.
Last week I worked out Bflat minor with left and right hands a third apart. Sad or what?

KnewBee, I think this is all 'normal' stuff you're going through...
we all 'hit plateaus' in all things in life (weight-loss, studies, learning a new job, learning a new instrument and so on), it is an 'inevitable' part of our life, so a 'plateau' in your piano playing is totally normal.
Almost all of us also have similar phases throughout life and things we do....I love my job but occasionally I do feel a lot less motivated and I 'lose that spark' for a little while (normally this does not last more than 2 months and I get it every couple of years I have noticed, in my job that is).
so I suggest: don't take it too seriously
slow down on your practice, still practice but take it a 'little more easy'
in time it will all fall back in place!

Thanks guys

I was tinkling away at the weekend and it's coming back!

I always feel unmotivated after exams. But the spark always comes back I'm glad yours has