When I left school, about, erm, 2 months ago, I had lots of marvellous good intentions of using lots of my spare time to do plenty of parctise.

Then I got a job.

I am now leaving the house at 8am, and not returning till 6pm. These are not exactly convinient times for plenty of practise! Being tierd when I got in, and disliking playing when there is anyone else in the house, I started to put off doing my daily quota. I'm not the most diligent practiser in the world, but I did generally do my regular half-hour each day.

After repeatedly putting off practise, or playing badly when I did due to lack of practise, and tierdness, I began to get slightly frustrated, not exactly with my lack of progress but with the fact I was starting to go backwards~ Grade 8 peices dont like being put to one side for days on end!

So now I'm caught in a slightly downward cycle, I'm suposed to be taking the exam at Christmas, which mean entering in around September time. Id like to be pretty ready by then, but at my current rate I wont even be ready by Christmas!

It could be that I am over reacting, as my teacher hasn't said anything to me but I still feel that I need to do something!

I have gone through similar bad patches before, and got through them by ensuring I added 'flute practise' to my daily tick charts of what homework I had to do, (although since leaving school these are no longer necessary) I know that having a fixed time each day to practise would perhaps help, but I find this almost impossible to work when things pop up to wreck even the most loose plans.

I was wondering if anybody out there found themselves going through similar bad patches, and how they combat them.

How do teachers help students with similar problems? Are there any adult students out there who have found a way to work around 9-5 hours?

Hope someone can offer some help of any kind~ even if it does simply consist of telling me to get off my backside!!

Me too also find the same problem. I can't afford to practise everyday especially when I reach home quite late. Lack of practise will really lower your morale. In the end, I feel that I've slacked in my playing. Currently, I still trying to figure out a way to solve this problem. In the meantime, I will practise as much as I can especially when I'm free.

As an adult with a demanding job and two hours a day plus travel, I know how you feel. Try and find a routine. And I have found it's a question of priorities. Which is better? Practising your chosen instrument or watching the box? I know which I choose.

But I agree that tiredness does set in and actually I find having an evening lesson the worst as I feel I never do myself justice as I am sometimes so jaded. Wish more teachers would do Sat lessons!

Yep, no easy answer. But I am sure that it will settle down for you. Remember that having your first job is a big change in your life and you will soon adjust. Yes, a bad patch but do not indulge or you will find it difficult to get back in. I am sure that come September, and as the exam looms and you get a date, that alone will spur you on.

And by the way, surely the other people in the house could be a bit more tolerant. After all I am sure that they make noise in all kinds of ways and I bet your playing is better to have in the background!!

Welcome to the world of work!!! I'm sure you'll start practising again once youget used to it.

I do Drama as well as playing Piano and having a time demanding job. The last 7 - 8 weeks before up a show (2 a year) involves two full evening rehersals and possibly a sunday one every week. Things like doing the shopping, washing an ironing have to be crammed into the remaining time, and it really has a big impact on piano practise and progress on my pieces slows down!!

Nothing you can do - there are only so may hours in the day!!!

Hi all,

Have you ever considered your practice as a way relaxing and unwinding? Consider this, you have just finished work, and you come home feeling tired, so why not use you practising to help relax you.

When you are practising, if you feel you are getting tired, take a 5 minute break before starting up again.

If when you are practising you are getting frustrated and you feel like bashing out notes really loud, just DON'T. Simply take deep breaths and try to play softer rather than louder. As silly as this may sound, I find it works.

If you are really tired, I think it is best not to do any practice, since your mind will not be able to focus on what you are supposed to be doing. Perhaps lie down for a bit, or even take a short nap.

Also consider the thought of having a good solid 15-20 mintues of practice than just 30 minutes of agony.

Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone for the sympathy- or should I call it empathy?!

It's nice to know I'm not the only one, and at least I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, as when I head off to college in September I will be getting in a little earlier~ ie 5, which should provide some extra time although I'll have to get a bus and get up even earlier

And I might be able to make use of the music departments pratise rooms during lunch breaks!

Now I just need to figure out how to get my playing sounding like I have been pratising by saturday when my next lesson is- and I'm sure there are plenty of music teachers out there only too happy to tell me its impossible!!

i think i have to ask the music director to get me a key for the music block..so that i can practise at night....i need to work hard...

i think i have to ask the music director to get me a key for the music block..so that i can practise at night....i need to work hard...haha

I find listening to a recording of the piece I am playing very positive and gives me a boost because I realise that i want to play it that well and I know it won't get done without practise.