I want to play my instruments...well to take my mind off things etc but I'm just can't be bothered! I feel really unmotivated to do anything like practising. Is it just because I'm lazy?!

No, it's a side effect of stress.

yes....you need to set your self a target to motivate your self....be it learn a new piece to concert standard in the next week, learn a blues scale in a day..... do an articulation in a certain way the next time you run through a piece...set yourselve a target and a goal every time you play something through

I'm not stressed! Or am I?..............

hmmmm Nat, if youre not stressed, than who is????

I'm thinking about tomorrow.

I'm stressed, and it's not me, but No 1 and No 2 sons who are getting results tomorrow.

Maybe you should just take a break (and try to ignore the feeling that you should be practicing ) For a few days or so. If I don't feel like practicing often a break of a few days makes that my motivation is better than ever.

Also good luck for everyone that is waiting for results!

Breaks can be better for you than you'd think, I usually end up with better ideas at the end of it without trying despite all the effort I put in before I got sick of it.

So don't feel bad about being unmotivated!

take it easy for a bit. enjoy what's left of the summer.

Oh - two lots on one day?? that's a bit tough!

My daughter (no 2 child) gets her A level results tomorrow.

Nat - it really is an odd time of year - a bit of a limbo I always think.
Don't be too hard on yourself. And for goodness sake don't feel guilty!

Exactly! When I did not practice for more than two days last week, I went for class and played with better bowing than ever (after a few initially messy attempts at the piece) and it only took me 3 times to get the piece right. I think breaks are as necessary as practice sometimes! When I go for holidays and come back, I play better too.

Thanks! Only 2 weeks and a day to Sept and results!

A break won't do you any harm. I think you'll feel much more motivated this time tomorrow though. Its a very stressful time and when you're stressed and under pressure you don't feel like doing much.

Yes, one doing A levels, one doing AS levels. Both (hopefully) going to Uni at the same time too, as No 1 son is having a gap year and No 2 isn't - he's going to do Maths and they're advised not to as they get out of practice.

Good luck to your sons andante

Thanks. No 1 son could get his results online first thing, but has decided he wants to go into college and open an envelope. However, he's given me his password so I can find out how he did - I'm not sure if I want to, however, or if I would rather he told me. Depends how good they are, I suppose. His Uni offer is the equivalent of CCC, so he shouldn't have any worries there as he got AAA last year. However, his January modules were pretty bad, so he's a bit nervous. One of his A levels is Music Tech. and they don't really know how they've done until they get the final result.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you, Nat.

You'll need to cross everything for me.

How can he get his results so early?

One of the students set up an online results system last summer. They trialled it for the January modules and it seemed to work very well. There was even an article in the local paper about it.

Wow. Lucky him. I'd have checked straight away.

I've just re-read the college newsletter, and he won't get them until midday if he goes in. He can get them at home at 8.00 am. Given that he usually gets up late morning, 12 noon is probably the equivalent of 8.00 am for him. I don't think I'll be able to wait that long, but it seems unfair to know before he does.

Maybe I'll concentrate on No 2 son during the morning, otherwise his results will be overshadowed by his brother's.

I forgot to say earlier, fingers crossed for your daughter too, Maggie. What's she hoping to do next?

*nods* I second that. Maybe it's just me, but being "in limbo" waiting for results or not being sure that something I am doing is right (ie between my widely spaced flute lessons!) or not being sure what to do next about something really stresses me out and makes me useless at practice and stuff. And A Level results are extremely stressful, even if it was just the results you were thinking about and not "will I get into uni with these results". So go easy on yourself! that's an order

Yes boss

*grin* good on ya hon

Yes, just try to relax and do something you enjoy... maybe just play your favourite pieces if you play at all... thinking of you all.

Maybe you should just do 'fun' pieces on your instruments, that way you're still practicing (the dreaded word) but its not boring

Can I ask................ do you ever just play for the ###### of it............... spontaniousl tootling???? If not try it........ play anything. an old piece ....... a new piece......... but not for serious practice.... just for the ###### of it!!!!

Bring the fun back into your playing!!!