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How to play the piano again after a break (7 steps).
If daily, consistent practice is the number one key to success as a piano student, is it okay to take a break from the piano? And if he does, will he be able to touch it again?
Of course, you can return to playing the piano after a break. Many things can keep people away from the piano for a while. A busy summer vacation, a move, big projects at school or work, or maybe deciding to try a new hobby—any of these things can cause you to put piano practice aside for a while. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it again. No matter how long you’ve been away from the piano, you’ll never completely forget the music that became a part of you. With a little patience and persistence, you can get back to where you were when you left and go further!
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Tip #1: Take it easy and take it easy
When you start playing the piano again for the first time, you may find that you can’t practice as much as you used to. Don’t worry! The amount of time you spend practicing is not as important as whether you practice every day. If five minutes is all you can do, then do it. Some days you may feel like practicing longer, so practice more on those days.
Tip #2: Make piano part of your day every day
One of the most difficult and important things will be to get back into the habit of practicing the piano daily. Choose a time of day that is most comfortable for you and stick to it. Focus on the daily habit, not the amount of time you practice, and gradually increase it until you reach the amount of time you practiced before.
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Tip #3: Bring back your old favorites
Another good idea to do when you get back to playing the piano after a break is to go back through some levels and review some songs that you like and that are still easy for you. Remembering the fun of playing the piano will inspire you to learn again.
When you come back from a break, don’t expect all the skills you’ve learned to still be there. Instead of picking up where you left off, take a few steps back. Make it easy at first and you’ll be more motivated to return to playing every day. You’ll soon discover that it’s easier to relearn piano pieces than to learn them the first time, and you’ll be able to move on and learn more.
Tip #4: Take time to exercise your fingers
If it’s been a while since you’ve played the piano, spend a little more time doing finger strength exercises to help rebuild your core. When you don’t play the piano for a while, your fingers lose some of their dexterity. Likewise, some of the pathways in your brain that interpreted music and sent instructions to your fingers will have faded. The best way to rebuild these physical and mental skills is by doing finger strength exercises. Pentascales, scales, arpeggios, and chords will help get your brain and muscles back in shape.
Remember to start calmly. If you feel any discomfort in your hands, take a break. You may find it helpful to do some gentle finger and wrist stretches before playing.
Tip #5: Be patient with yourself.
If you’ve been away from the piano for more than a few weeks, some things that used to be easy may seem difficult at first. Don’t let that frustrate you. You learned it once and you can do it again.
On the other hand, the opposite may happen to you: things that were difficult for you before are now easier to do! This can be especially true if you’re young enough that your hands are still growing. Our brains are learning and developing all the time, and they continue to process the music we’ve learned even if we’re not actively practicing it. You may be surprised at what you are able to do once you get back to playing the piano.
Tip #6: Look Forward Instead of Looking Back
Don’t worry so much about getting back to the exact same point you were at the last time you played the piano. Instead, move on and explore new music and new experiences. Maybe before taking a break you were focusing on sight reading, but now you want to play by ear more. Or maybe you only played classical music before and now you want to explore other genres. Take this opportunity to try something different.
Tip #7: Remember the pleasure
When you return to playing the piano after a break, be kind to yourself. Expect there to be some challenges, but instead of letting those challenges discourage you, remember the joy that playing the piano brings you. Think about why you started playing the piano in the first place. Choose to make music a part of your life again for the happiness it brings to you and those around you.
One year of piano progress (as a 40-year-old beginner)
