During the strange era that was the COVID pandemic and being isolated in our homes, many musicians felt like they had more time but less motivation to play their instrument.
This resonated with me and I'm sure it will resonate with you too. We want to play the piano and progress in playing the songs and learning the skills that bring us fulfilment, but we just don't feel like doing it, let alone know where to start.
So I wanted to pass on 5 tips for what to play when you just don't feel like playing. Pick just 1 tip to try at a time and see if it makes a difference.
Tip #1 - Focus on Technique.
Not feeling particular creative right now? That's OK, and totally understandable. This is the perfect scenario to turn to technical practice. Play through your scales, arpeggios, and finger exercises - focus on your posture, holding your wrists above your fingers, don't collapse into your knuckles... focus on playing intervals of 3rds, 4ths or 5ths, in perfect unison. Focus on speed. There are many different technical skills to work on that do not require creativity or particular thought, just focus.
Try these finger and wrist exercises!
This has the added bonus of taking our minds away from the things that have been preoccupying our thoughts.
Tip #2 - Make it Moody.
All that great moody music that we love, that was written in a musicians moment of melancholy: the blues, break-up songs, lamenting songs, anything in a minor key... try to think of a moody song that you've always loved and learn to play it (by ear, by lead-sheet, or by sheet music). Put all those mixed feelings you have into your fingers and express your emotions through the music.
Another challenge is to try improvising in a moody style! For inspiration, check out the demo video here that I did to demonstrate my recent coaching 'Peaceful Piano Improvising at Home' (now 10% off!)
Be expressive and leave your self-judgement off the piano bench.
Tip #3 - Find comfort in the Familiar.
Sometimes revisiting a piece we already know can be comforting and reassuring. Try to a remember a piece that you haven't played in a while, challenge yourself to remember how it goes, be proud of what you recall and perhaps have a giggle at the same ol' mistakes that never seem to go away!
Tip #4 - Listen like a musician.
Not all progress is at the piano. Use this time to build the strength of your musical ears with some active listening. Listen to some music that you wouldn't normally listen to and challenge yourself to find something to appreciate in the skill demonstrated.
Or challenge yourself to focus on elements of the music that are not at the forefront, hum the melody of an instrument other than the main melody! For more exercises to strengthen your musical ear check out my ear bootcamp '5 Days To a Better Musical Ear'!
Tip #5 - Try something new.
Is there a song that's been occupying space in your head that you really want to learn? Have you always dreamed of playing by ear? Are you itching to improvise? Whatever your musical desire, give yourself permission to explore it. But the key here is, explore it without judgement.
Don't expect big things straight away, any new thing requires time and patience, so go easy on yourself and try to have some fun.
Remember, don’t try tackling all of these tips at once - that’s a sure path to overwhelm. Instead, pick whichever tip appeals to you today and give it a go.
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