Something which I've noticed of late:

I seem to be spending so much time on pupil's music - checking out alternative pieces for exams, learning pieces I don't know because that's the one the pupil fancies, keeping on top of standards for music in schools etc. - that I'm aware of neglecting my own music/playing. Particularly the feeling of finding a completly new piece that you love and building it up from scratch. Even simple things like, music being as expensive as it it, choosing something that you know in advance you're going to use and enjoy seem to be difficult.

Does anyone else have a similar problem? Or if you had in the past, what kind of things did you do to deal with it?



[I picked up a couple of past Grade 8 books a month or so back and have found a few new things that I'm working on now. But it was only once I got going that I thought, "You know, I haven't done this in a while..."]

The biggest problem with being a professional musician, whether you teach an instrument, play orchestrally, or combine these with other musical portfolio careers, is that you will never have enough time to play your own music - unless of course part of your work involves regular solo recitals.

The biggest gripe from most musicians (those who earn some sort of living from it) is that practice time for yourself becomes almost nil.

The one incentive to make some time to practice of course, is to imagine what your own playing will eventually sound like if you don't bother at all......

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I'm stuck right in the middle of this very dilemma at the moment. Teaching has completely taken over from performing and writing and although I really do love teaching, the balance is all wrong, especially as I'm the only one in the band who's ever booked gigs and if I don't have time to do it nor does anyone else, hence no gigs...

I have Mondays 'off' (till 4.00pm) and of course every time I call a venue the booking agent is in a meeting or having his/her day off, 'please could you call back tomorrow' and of course I can't because I'm travelling or working....

Re time to practise, I now schedule in small blocks of time between students so I can practise then, otherwise I'm just too tired at the end of the day, or I have to cook and it's just too late. There's always Sundays, but one big practice a week isn't anything like as good as daily practice.

If I find a solution I'll let you know...

I'm a very busy piano teacher (108 pupils) but I keep myself motivated with my own playing by having regular lessons with an excellent teacher. I'm very lucky that she lives near me & is a good friend & she's very experienced in teaching advanced pianists, including quite a few local teachers. I've always loved practising, but it can be quite hard to keep going without someone to take an interest. It is hard to find the time, but I try to always do some early in the morning & when I'm teaching in a music school, I always schedule it to arrive early & do some practice. I always practise if I have a cancellation, too.

We have regular adult performance workshops & courses & she even arranges for us to play concertos with a local orchestra.

I also think going on courses is a great way to motivate yourself & meet like-minded people. I went to Chetham's this year & it was fantastic.

I have this problem too, especially as I am juggling four instruments.

I practise flute at college if a student doesn't appear, which is a bit haphazard. Otherwise it's a bit hit and miss: I try and get bits in with pupils, doing follow-my-leader long notes etc.

Piano tends to be all-or-nothing. I've done an hour of Grade 8 scales and arpeggios tonight, and am feeling guilty because I didn't get round to the pieces and I have a lesson tomorrow. Singing happens in the shower or in the car, or while I'm cooking. I try and get my songs memorised quickly so that I can sing them anywhere.

Recorder is often playing rather than practising.

My current problem is that I have material to learn/practise for two flute recitals, and a teaching diploma on the horizon too. At least I know my three Grade 6 pieces for the teaching diploma.

If I was an organised and self-disciplined person it would all be different, of course.

This is exactly the reason I decided to put myself through Grade 8. I have been meandering aimlessly for several years and my playing is really suffering, but having a goal is forcing me to focus, and it's amazing how you manage to fit little bits and pieces of practice in when you know you have to get to a certain level. I won't give myself too much pressure though. I do have a family to look after and pupils to teach, but I will enter myself for which ever session is going to be right for me.

Having qualified many years ago, I was given the opportunity to go for some of the piano grades again, sponsored by a local businessman foa a local charity. He gave me a £1 a point, and this really made me find time to practice and do the best I could, the good thing being my scales and sightreading etc were OK, I could just enjoy choosing and playing the pieces!

My income is only secondary to the main household income, but it is so tempting to do so much for others that you push you aside. One reason I made myself eventually do LRSM, and I'm aiming for FRSM in 2009, hopefully as a fourtieth Birthday present! Barry's concert series, and the prep for things like that, insuring I'm still performing as well as teaching are all little steps to get the music for me and teaching balance right.

I then have to get the work family balance right too and the family/work/ rest/ health balance in context. I know I couldn't hold down a full time job at the moment due to my FMS, but I can do my job as I can work hours potter around the house, prace and teach hours to suit me. That is what is fantastic. I really emapthise with you Violonia. I majorly screwed things up last summer the consequence has been the chaos of september october and November. But things are looking up, it's something I have to keep an eye on - don't we all, but it does mean I can work doing the thing I love.

edited

I'm not a teacher, but son's guitar teacher only teaches 3 weeks per month. That gives him 7-10 days each month for preparing and performing his own music.

That's great in theory, but only if you can be sure you'll earn a months money in 3 weeks, or, the income you earn is not central to feeding yourself, putting a roof over your head etc.