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Hi folks,

I've just bought some grade 3 exam. pieces as it seems to me, from looking through them, that that's the level at which I'm going to be able to start over again after a long break in my playing.

I've been practicing scales and finding it a really slow process. My fingers seem to have frozen completely since I last played on a regular basis. I doubt if I'm ever going to be able to play at an advanced level, but now I'm wondering if I'll ever get beyond the beginner grades.

Have other people started playing again after a long break (9 years in my case)? If so, what was your experience of starting over again? Have you been able to make the progress you expected? Or, have you had to settle for less and been discouraged into the bargain?

I'm still determined to press on, but I am finding it hard.

Hope I'm not alone.

Thanks.

Emma.

Hi Emma,
Don't be down-hearted! I had a gap of twelve years when I didn't own a piano. When I started again I was pretty rusty but now, several years on, I think I'm a grade or two better than I was when I stopped playing - possibly because I'm now more inclined to work at the things I find difficult.

I've found that pieces I learnt 30 years ago are easy to pick up again compared to learning new stuff. Why not dig out some of your old pieces and see if you can get going with them?
It's important to find music you enjoy playing, because ultimately it's all down to practice, practice, practice...
Good luck!

If you went to the gym after a nine year layoff, you wouldn't expect to go back to benchpressing 3 tons, or whatever people do in gyms! The mind is a muscle that needs warming up before it can go back to where it was - same applies to fingers!
Courage, mon brave, you'll be fine. I think you'll probably find that you'll suddenly make a spurt of progress after this sticky bit. Good luck!

I think it all comes down to determination...It sounds as if you are very determined, so keep the practising up.
Scales are so important especially if you are doing your exams. Find a scale that you really enjoy, and work on this in different keys, paying attention to the fingering guide. Also make sure your posture is correct and that your hands/fingers are relaxed.

Chromatic scales are good to get your fingers warmed up.

If you practise every day I am sure you will move on. Also don't just limit yourself to exam pieces, find something else that you enjoy playing. 12 bar blues are always good to learn plus you can learn the blues scales which can be incorporated into lots of pieces.

Keep up the hard work. You will be back into it before you know it. And like I say if you are determined to play then you won't be a beginner forever.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT in everything you do!!!!

Hi Emma,

Do not feel discouraged. It’s normal to feel a little challenging and lost after taking a long break from not playing. You fingers will lost it’s memory for while but you will recover relatively fast and then everything will be back to normal pacing. Here’s a link where you can get some information on practicing.

How to practice piano effectively: http://yokewong.net/pianopractice.html

Start practicing your scales slowly, just try to get your memory and dexterity back first. Don’t worry about being a beginner, you’ll soon get past that point.

Yoke Wong
Take Your Piano Playing To The Next Level
http://www.pianomother.com

You're never too old; oldest lady I ever taught was 76; said she'd been dusting the b*gger for 50 years and suddenly got a yen to learm it!
The object of the game is to enjoy yourself and have fun. Exams and so on are a bonus. So just go for it - and keep us posted as to your progress, won't you?

She could knock a tune out and work out the notes on easy-play stuff which is as much as she wanted to do. That was part of her success; she was realistic about her expectations and abilities, unlike some who want to play Rachmaninov in 2 hours...