In even our favorite activities, we all experience periods of diminished interest and enthusiasm. Times of lessened zeal in music study can be quite unpleasant, and even frightening. How can we move past those “dry” phases? My advice starts with simple advice: avoid building a case against yourself, your abilities, or your future. Instead, find creative ways to re-engage with music that revive your love and fascination for music making. Here are a few ideas for productively rekindling that passion:

1) Listen     Attend live performances, workshops, master classes. Listen to recorded music.

2) Re-examine     Reconsider your practice approach. If things are not working, be willing to re-think matters and employ new options. Do not expect mere routine to serve you well. Best to find creative and engaging solutions to bring you to new places as a musician and performer.

3) Study     Examine your scores away from the piano. Regard the music from the perspective of a theorist (analytical dimensions), from that of a composer (interpretative possibilities), and from that of a music historian (stylistic aspects). This kind of study also is very good for cultivating the ear.

4) Research   Explore the composers of your repertoire, music history, as well as related topics. This may charge the imagination and provide a spark of creativity for you to build upon.

5) Discuss    Engage in discussions regarding music with other musicians. Who knows? Maybe your teacher would be a good source of insight.

6) Rest    Allow yourself a time of rest and rejuvenation away from the instrument. Respect the nature of practice as the complex and engaging activity that it is, and determine to do all you can to bring your best rested self to the work.

- Dr. Steven L. Havens

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