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Hi all,
I fell in love with the score of a movie I watched two weeks ago. I found and downloaded sheet music for two of the songs in the movie. Now I can't stop practicing these two songs. I practice about 30min b4 work and sometimes, if time allows, during lunch, and when I get home from work. I practice more than I normally do. Usually I practice for about 1-2 hrs a day 5-6 days/week. Now I'm stay up till 11pm learning these two songs. I simply can't stop.

I do practice my technical exercises, but I'm overdoing it with these 2 songs. I just can't stop.

Will someone help me?

Movie: Secret by Jay Chou.

P.S.
This is my first post(yippee!).

Hello and welcome! Oh, to have 88 fingers!

I, and I'm sure many here, can empathize with you. Has your increased practice time started to actually impose upon your responsibilities? If so, perhaps you might find an alternate activity to distract you from wandering over to your piano when you feel the urge. Pick up a book, polish your shoes, clean something (I know, not as much fun!), whatever. Even I have had overdone days where my husband has gently asked/reminded me to step awaaayyyyy from the piano! Otherwise, if you feel you have maxed out what you feel should be your practice time for the day, use that same mental determination, which you obviously have, to tend to your other responsibilities (or sleep! ). Realize that the piece will come and analyze whether an extra 30-60 minutes (or more??) will help or hinder your progress. It's hard to not be consumed when so motivated but it seems you feel you are committing too much time to practice. You obviously have the mental wherewithal and determination - just remain aware of that healthy balance Best to you!

Tina

I'm sorry, I don't think we *can* help. When it comes to piano addictions, we're all enablers

But welcome to the forum.

Cathy

I agree with Cathy. Spend any time here listening to the Piano Bars and Recitals and before you know it, you will also have SMAS (Sheet Music Acquisition Syndrome). We will empathise, and some will even offer to help cure you of your affliction by removing the source of your temptation - that is your sheet music collection.

Rich

Here, this should help . Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I think you can stop (or cut back, at least). You simple choose not to.

Nothing wrong with that, I suppose. I think maintaining balance in life is important -- family, friends, job. Its difficult to juggle, but try to take some time away from the piano and give some serious thought to some of the other important things in your life and give each your attention.

If you really think you have become obsessed over this and truly need help, send me your address and I'll have your piano confiscated. That should do the trick. (kidding).

No need to stop...your practicing more and loving it...its all good.

Welcome to the forum! I can totally relate...
If you stop eating, bathing, or sleeping.... seek therapy. Otherwise, have fun mastering those songs!

Welcome to the forum 88Fingers

As for your addiction, You're on your own :p

Terrible isn't it... and you think two weeks is bad...

I feel the same way about my wife. Twenty-six years together and I'm still showing no signs of getting tired of her. Whatever can be wrong with us???

Chris

Thanks for the support.

I realize the piece will come but not soon as I would like. I did stop practicing last night at 10:30 which is a step in the right direction. However I was up at 6am doing technical exercises. I have to admit that I did take a day from off work to relax but all I did was play piano.

Well I’ll admit to having a small case of SMAS(Sheet Music Acquisition Syndrome), but it’s nothing that a even larger bookcase won’t cure.

By the way, Akira, that scene in the movie really motivated me to work on my technical exercises even more. Wow! Those two are way above my skill level.

I think I may go home for lunch and practice.

Welcome to the forum, 88fingers! There's nothing better than when a piece gets under your skin and all you want to do is play it. Cherish those moments and give in to them. To resist is futile. :p

Try to play other pieces as well. A friend of mine recommended to play easy pieces and develop the skills before tackling more difficult pieces. Make some time for these easy pieces; it will keep up your interest in the piano.

- Mark

"I'll have what she's having."

I'm sure there is a 12 step program somewhere to help you...you just won't find it here.

Well I've made progress!

Yesterday I limited my morning practice to 30min by doing a few of technical exercises and my evening session was hour of songs from the movie and 'Georgia on My Mind'. Afterwards, I watched a movie with my stepdaughter.

But I must say that I am truly inspired to play at the level that was displayed in the movie. I may not get to that level of mastery of the piano but if I’m close I’ll be happy.

The force is strong with u master!!!

Haha, yeah, I don't think you'll find anybody to help you here.

If I don't play a minimum of 2 hours a day, I get ornery. Actually, I'm 5 days out of a cancer surgery, and I think I spent at least 5 hours at the piano yesterday. (it's hard to keep track) When the doctor said "Get plenty of rest" I must have heard "catch up all the piano time you missed while in school!" ;-)

In all seriousness, good for you for getting a piece under your skin as Monica called it. It's really something worth doing!

I hope your doing and feeling well...

I hate to take the focus of a topic, but thanks for asking. I'm doing and feeling well except for the timing on bar 13 of Chopin's Nocturne in C# minor. It's awkward for me!

Good to hear...thats a problem you can deal with...

Hello!

Number 1 enabler speaking!!

I have only ONE question.....what movie, and what two pieces? Perhaps I may share in the extra addiction with you......as if I'm not addicted enough yet!.........

Seriously....What movie?

oohh...oh! oh! Someone's having an issue with Sheet Music Affliction Syndrome?

Look no further, have no worries......I know JUST the solution!! I'll even pay for shipping!! LOL!!

Just remember....... I offered to help you FIRST!! LOL!

Silly me......just read the title of the movie from your first post!! LOL! sorry, just couldn't get past YOUR addiction issue!!
Some people just don't know when to stop!

Later,
Have to go practice....

Your friend, fellow SMAS,,,,,,, piano addict!
(They say the first step is admitting we have a problem!) We're ahead of the game!

awhile packing my van earlier I noticed that music books like chainmail rings breed in daylight!

LOL!! I know what you mean!! They appear out of nowhere.....I wish that were true with money!

I see music books all over the place.....everywhere....even when they're not there!

That IS a problem!!

Hi 88Fingers,

This is a good addiction ... made possible by adult motivation. Bottom line is to enjoy what you are doing at the piano.

Can't write much --- gotta get back to those keys.....

Barb

This piece that is truly under my skin. I play just one song, Secret(Time Travel Theme), exclusively now, no technical exercises. I can't believe that I dream about playing this song in front of an audience. I've shorten my practice time to 30 min the past few days to give my hands a rest.

Have you ever had a song that played in your head and you can’t get rid of it? You either play the song or listen to it over and over and over.

I've found more music to play. My stash is growing and I 'm running out of space. Currently my wife and daughter don’t mind the clutter, well at least not publicly. The dining room table is currently buried under CDs, sheet music. Bookshelf? I don't need no stinkin' bookshelf! I’m listening to music from around the world, in languages I don’t even understand.

Will it ever end? I hope not because I’m having a great time.

88Fingers, you shouldn't stop. Keep doing what you're doing. When you get that fire lit under your butt is when piano is most enjoyable!

I have a confession: I too have SMAS. The other day I printed out some lead for "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", and two days ago I went and picked up Jacques Ibert's "Histoires" and the large from Xerxes at Hutchins and Rea. They're for my students, I swear. Really. And the largo is for my wedding. I'm not secretly reading through them or anything like that.

Edit: On the space issue, what is a musician's home without clutter? If you look at my car you'll see music everywhere. It's in the trunk and spread over the front passenger side, from the seat down to the floor. It's under seats. It's in the back. At home, the top of my piano is covered in books. I try to divide them into four piles (modern/jazz/non-classical, Beethoven and Bach, Mozart, Haydn and Chopin, all other composers) but they always seem to escape and end up on my music stand. I have a bookshelf crammed full of music. And for all the stuff I print out, I have a binder into which I pack it all. At my mother's house, I have two other binders stuffed with sheet music.

There is no end. It's a real fun ride, though.

(I'm now looking to finish out my collection of Scarlatti sonatas... damn you, SMAS!)

Way to go 88Fingers

Songs playing in my head? - you betcha. I go to sleep and wake up with my songs playing in my head.

Ain't life just GRAND!

Edit - let us be your first audience when you perform "Secret".

All this week it's been "Do your ears hang low?" very maddening. I was babysitting my 10 month old granddaughter on Monday and took out a book of children's songs. Very fun (not all easy arrangements so I felt justified in reading through them) This one was quick to learn and now it's 'stuck' in my head..grrr..

Can you tie them in a knot, can you tie them in a bow?

Sight reading while baby sitting - I love it - and I'm sure baby loved it also.

She did but she was on my lap and of course wanted to grab the book, and touch every key I touched... very cute! She's our first and we are head over heals in love with her