Has anyone else experienced post exam blues? What did you do?

I worked VERY hard and sat grade 8 on clarinet last week. In the lead-up to it I hardly played any sax or flute missed them both. I thought it would be great when I'd done my exam and that I'd enjoy my other instruments and new material for them and also for clarinet, but I just don't feel like playing anything at all. I feel quite lost. I have loads of time to practice, but simply don't want to.

Is this usual? How do I get my enthusiasm back?

Yes, it's usual.
You've spent all that time working for a goal and having something definite to do and now you feel a bit lost.
It helped me after my grade 8 that I'd already arranged with my teacher what to start on next so I avoided the nothing to do stage. I think it's one reason why i didn't go along with my teacher's idea that I might want some time off after all that work.

I agree with Sbhoa, it's the feeling that something you've been working for has gone. Combined with the loss off all that adrenaline that took you through the exam in the first place.

I also find that while I am waiting for the results, I am in some sort of mental limbo, feeling that I can't move forwards until I'm sure I don't need to go back and try again. That's why the wait between the exam and the results is so frustrating!

(Come on AB. Seventeen days since the exam which you put smack bang in my busiest week ever....at least you could get a move on with the results.....please?)

I think quite a few people share your experience, particularly at adults at grade 8 where often the next stage on the examination front seems so far away it it hardly worth contemplating attempting it! If I were you I'd take some time out, right away from music and then perhaps listen to some of the music that inspired you to want to learn to play in the first place. Play some easy and fun music now and again, whenever the urge takes you, and when it doesn't, just stop, so you only play when you want to and enjoy it. Hopefully, in time you will rediscover the urge that got you started.

Also, see if you teacher has any students who might want to play a few duets or as a small, informal, non performing, non judgemental group. Play purely for fun and laughing at the bits that go wrong with other people is, in my view, one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a couple of hours.

Try listening to lots of different performers?

Grade 8 is a big acheivement but I think part of the anti-climax is that when you start playing, teachers and other pupils as well blow grade 8 up to seem like that's where it all ends!

After I did mine, I looked at some other music, then heard some great performances and thought, "hmmm actually, I still suck.... grade 8 or not"

Obviously you might not feel like that, that was just me, but the way I viewed it was that after grade 8 it was a bit like being a complete beginner again, and realising that now I was quite competent I might make a really good pianist some day, but I certainly didn't feel like one even though I had the certificate in so called "advanced" playing

Maybe if you look at it as the starting point for being a good musician rather than the end of something, it will seem more positive?

Sorry if that doesn't make any sense at all - and congratulations too

I did grade 8 piano yesterday, and although theres still the limbo period after the exam but before the mark sheet arrives, I can't wait to get the new music I've ordered and to start something new.

Violin on the other hand I didnt play for 6 weeks after my grade 8 because I didnt want to, and my lil brother who's just done his grade 3 piano said he's never going to paly again.
x

Yes, I'd thought about this one too. Haven't had my exam yet - quite a few days to go but it will only be a few months before the next one (eek! must check entry deadline)

This is the time to do the things that have been neglected. In my case the front garden fence badly needs painting, the garden is a mess and organ practice has gone on the back burner. Before all that though I shall book myself in for a massage, a manicure and reward myself with some general pampering. I've already forgotten about the theory exam I took a few weeks ago - too much else to think about.

Working full time helps at times like this even though seriously gobbling up energy and free time. (The word 'time' appeared 3 times in that sentence - whoops - said it again! - I think I should enrol in a creative writing class to improve my use of the language)

Best of luck with the grade 8 though. Why not start looking at the syllabus for the next thing? No need to rush anything but just get acquainted with the repertoire.

Mel

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I have the syllabus for my next exam (on my teacher's recommendation), but I am still struggling to get any kind of motivation to play. I don't want to lose the skills I have worked so hard to gain, but nothing seems to inspire me at the moment. Perhaps, when I have the result it will help?

Hi - this is my first post, so I hope it comes out OK. Years ago, when I'd finished my English Lit. finals, I suddenly realised that I couldn't bear the thought of reading another book of any kind, and I was completely taken aback - I loved reading, it was something I had always turned to, and it was an outcome of finishing my studies that I had never for a moment anticipated. Obviously I wasn't worried about losing a particular skill but for a while I felt completely bereft and, as I hoped to take my studies further, a little concerned. But it passed. Go shopping (real or window), listen to some music that you love, perhaps play something that needs no emotional input at all (scales?), but don't worry - and good luck for the results.

(My aversion to coffee, however, because of the gallons I'd drunk while revising, lasted about 2 years )

i always found that constantly working for exams really made me less inclined to play. maybe you should have a break from exams, a term, 1/2 a term, whatever. Find some pieces taht you would really enjoy learning and maybe that will help bring back your enthusiasm.
x

You can go through a bad patch at anytime, there was about four weeks last year when I hardly felt like touching the piano, though I played the organ in church (need must). And it wasnt post-exam as I havent done one since 1965.