Im currently studying a music degree at the moment, i play piano and mandolin but due to starting my degree i'm not able to afford any private lessons any more and since my college have deicded they have nothing left in the budget to pay for some lessons ( even though everyone else in the class gets them paid for) i've just lost alot of motivation to keep practice.

My playing seems to have dropped off and i just have lost alot of focus, is this due to studying music full time? or the lack of direction froma music teacher...

Anyone got any ideas of how to really get motivated to practice again and regain some focus....

Andrew

Its more likely the loss of a full time teacher, it's very difficult to keep up the focus when you're not getting regular feedback.

What you need is a focus, a performance usually works, a festival or a concert that you have to prepare a couple of pieces for and to a reasonable standard. Is it possible to organise an informal one with your degree class?

Also, whilst you can't afford weekly lessons, could you maybe stretch to a monthly session with a mentor?

Good luck

D

hmm sounds like a good idea, im just annoyed at the siuation with college they bost that you get so many lessons every year on your first instrument in my case mandolin, but due to them not being able to find a teacher and my exsisting one apperently is too expensive its too late or organise anyhting for this year, but heres the twist ive got to do a recital in may to show how ive progressed hmmp


i might try that idea..

andy

Do you like playing duets or accompanying people? Since you're doing a music degree, it must be quite easy to find someone to play with(?) Playing for fun for a bit and the motivation will usually come back, methinks

Lulls in motivation do occur. I have just had one. No desire to practice or anything - I think sometimes our brains prioritize things without telling us - we end up focusing on something so much, other things get temporarily put to one side. I started new job, music got totally shoved to the side - I didn't want it to, it just kinda happened.

Focus on what you can focus on, practice as and when you can, and be patient, it'll all come back

So if they can't afford/find a Mandolin teacher, surely you should then benefit from piano lessons?

Do you think the college's attitude might be having an impact on your motivation at the moment? It certainly would with me, they're supposed to be paying for lesson, they expect a performance based on the lessons, the little voice in my head would be saying '### em'.

Seriously though, I do think if you can get a mentor even on a casual basis it will make a difference, just someone to take your mandarin progress seriously.

Go and watch the best mandolin player you can think of. Watching someone really good at their instrument always inspires me.

Whenever I have a minor dip in motivation I just go and practice anyway. By force of will, I just do it, confident that the fun and drive will return soon (and they always do).

Could you try and seek out any 'piano teachers in training' who could give you some cheap lessons, just sitting and listening to some live piano music could inspire you

Or try and find another adult learner 'piano buddy' to get together with and practice


Keep going, it will be worth it