Do you guys also have these days where you feel that everything you have practiced and learnt has just disappeared and you don't find yourself able to play the easiest pieces in your repertoire.

What do you do on these days. Just slow everything down and try to not get frustrated or just give it a miss?

I think everybody has those days, saiman. What I do is get off the bench, go do some errands (there are always errands to do) and come back later on that day or the next. And it's always better when I do come back, so I don't feel the need to push through frustration.

"Do you guys also have these days where you feel that everything you have practiced and learnt has just disappeared and you don't find yourself able to play the easiest pieces in your repertoire."

Why, yes I do. That kind of tension is not good for your hands, either. If I can't take a moment and breathe through it (maybe with a few easy stretches), and if falling back to something easier doesn't work, then it's better to take a break and come back later.

Actually, tension and frustration are very common experiences for me. It is sometimes worth the effort to try to address them and keep going. A little push, you know, it's ok. If it becomes a great wrangle, leave it and come back. Sometimes it takes as little as a few minutes of petting the dogs, and I'm able to make another try. Sometimes it's too big. But a few bars of progress is that much to the good.

Even some of the greats struggled with this. Rachmaninoff spoke of it often in his letters to friends, and sometimes he was not able to work at all, even with his wonderful talent and fine music education. Yet, he accomplished great things. Apparently, he had the secret of applying himself even when he didn't really feel up to it, and he also took the medical help that was available in his era. His great Second Concerto is dedicated to Dr. Dahl, a therapist who helped him get his musical mojo back after some setbacks so shattering that he was unable to work for a long time.

I think you're talking about the more ordinary daily frustrations, saiman, and that is an easier problem. You've talked about the difficulties that come along with a regular practice. If you take a break and show yourself some kindness, yet keep coming back to it, I feel confident that you'll find the balance that's right for you. Good luck.

I never knew that. I had steriod injections while preparing for college juries-- I knew there was something wrong with my technique--the classical and very good teacher couldn't figure it out. Later, 2 really gifted local jazz pianist-- Peggy Duqesnel and Michael Le Van figured out I was simply hitting to hard. I'm a size 4 but used to bench 215 when I weight between 118 and 122-- yeah I had a lift off but I could consistently do 5 reps..... anyway I slept in splints with ice for 6 months....tendinitis is a real Hellish thing to get rid of.
jans88s www.pianomeetsbass.com

thanks for the responses. The post was definitely a born out of some frustration. Im learning that being relaxed and having fun while practicing are two great hurdles to tackle