We’ve all gone through periods where we have felt less-than-inspired at the piano. Maybe you feel that you have lost the “spark” you once had for teaching, or maybe the idea of practicing a new piece just doesn’t hold the appeal that it once did?
Whatever the case may be, musical burnout is very real, and most musicians face it at one time or another! In today's blog post, I will be sharing 5 ideas that I have found helpful for battling burnout and rekindling my own creativity at the piano.
Keep reading to learn more…
Whatever the case may be, musical burnout is very real, and most musicians face it at one time or another! In today's blog post, I will be sharing 5 ideas that I have found helpful for battling burnout and rekindling my own creativity at the piano.
Keep reading to learn more…
1. Connect with nature.
“How happy I am to be able to walk among the shrubs, the trees, the woods, the grass, and the rocks--no one can love the countryside more than I do--for the woods, the trees, and the rocks give a man the inspiration he needs.”
– Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven was well-known for his love of nature, and it is said that he kept a pencil and paper in his pocket for sketching compositions when inspiration struck on one of his long walks in the countryside.
Take a cue from Beethoven, and get outside! Go for a long walk, take a bike ride, or (one of my favorites) go kayaking. So many amazing pieces of music have been inspired by the sights and sounds of nature–-make the time to see what inspiration nature holds for you!
2. Do something creative that isn’t music-related.
When was the last time you tried writing a poem or drawing a picture? Maybe woodworking is more your style, or creating a lovely flower arrangement using flowers from your garden?
Sometimes we become so focused on musical pursuits that we can neglect the other creative activities that once brought us joy. By focusing on a favorite, non-musical pastime, you might find the creative spark you need to rekindle your love of music as well.
3. Visit your “happy place."
I never fail to feel refreshed after a trip to our local art museum. Something about wandering through the galleries, saying “hello” to my favorite pieces of art, and seeing the beautifully landscaped courtyards there always leaves me feeling more relaxed and more inspired.
Make the time to take a special trip to your “happy place,” wherever that may be, and see what inspiration it holds for you!
4. Attend a concert.
Am I the only one who feels the urge to practice after attending a great concert?
Whether I am attending a concert of old favorites played by a familiar artist, or seeing the first performance of a brand-new piece, I always find something interesting and inspiring in the performance. Make the time to check out a concert-–no matter what genre-–and see if it inspires your musical creativity too!
5. Spend some time at your instrument with no goals other than to enjoy yourself.
When was the last time you played a piece strictly for your own enjoyment? We often get so wrapped up in preparing for performances and studying pieces that we plan to teach that we don’t make the time to play just for the fun of it.
Revisit an old favorite piece, or choose a new piece to work on that is one you have always wanted to learn. Play a duet or have a jam session with a friend. Or, just give yourself permission to “noodle around” at the piano with no set agenda in mind.
Whatever activity you choose, reconnecting with your enjoyment of simply making music can remind you of why you decided to become a musician in the first place.
What do you think? Have you battled musical burnout? What are your best tips for reigniting your passion for music? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
“How happy I am to be able to walk among the shrubs, the trees, the woods, the grass, and the rocks--no one can love the countryside more than I do--for the woods, the trees, and the rocks give a man the inspiration he needs.”
– Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven was well-known for his love of nature, and it is said that he kept a pencil and paper in his pocket for sketching compositions when inspiration struck on one of his long walks in the countryside.
Take a cue from Beethoven, and get outside! Go for a long walk, take a bike ride, or (one of my favorites) go kayaking. So many amazing pieces of music have been inspired by the sights and sounds of nature–-make the time to see what inspiration nature holds for you!
2. Do something creative that isn’t music-related.
When was the last time you tried writing a poem or drawing a picture? Maybe woodworking is more your style, or creating a lovely flower arrangement using flowers from your garden?
Sometimes we become so focused on musical pursuits that we can neglect the other creative activities that once brought us joy. By focusing on a favorite, non-musical pastime, you might find the creative spark you need to rekindle your love of music as well.
3. Visit your “happy place."
I never fail to feel refreshed after a trip to our local art museum. Something about wandering through the galleries, saying “hello” to my favorite pieces of art, and seeing the beautifully landscaped courtyards there always leaves me feeling more relaxed and more inspired.
Make the time to take a special trip to your “happy place,” wherever that may be, and see what inspiration it holds for you!
4. Attend a concert.
Am I the only one who feels the urge to practice after attending a great concert?
Whether I am attending a concert of old favorites played by a familiar artist, or seeing the first performance of a brand-new piece, I always find something interesting and inspiring in the performance. Make the time to check out a concert-–no matter what genre-–and see if it inspires your musical creativity too!
5. Spend some time at your instrument with no goals other than to enjoy yourself.
When was the last time you played a piece strictly for your own enjoyment? We often get so wrapped up in preparing for performances and studying pieces that we plan to teach that we don’t make the time to play just for the fun of it.
Revisit an old favorite piece, or choose a new piece to work on that is one you have always wanted to learn. Play a duet or have a jam session with a friend. Or, just give yourself permission to “noodle around” at the piano with no set agenda in mind.
Whatever activity you choose, reconnecting with your enjoyment of simply making music can remind you of why you decided to become a musician in the first place.
What do you think? Have you battled musical burnout? What are your best tips for reigniting your passion for music? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
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