I talk with people about this subject often. Any time you take a leave of absence from a musical instrument there is going to be some extra work involved in getting back into top playing form. I’m going to provide a few tips here to help you get back into good shape to play.
Luckily, the piano is one of the easier instruments to pick up after a long absence. I also play the French horn and I can tell you from experience that picking up a wind instrument after even a short absence is a big challenge. In the case of a wind instrument, your lips will become fragile after being away from your instrument, and playing too hard right away can blow them out – making it so you can’t play again for a while. It’s a very delicate process and you must build up slowly.
When it comes to the piano, your hands and arms matter most. If you’ve battled with tendentious, arthritis, or any other types of ailments you should definitely ease yourself into playing a bit slower. Even if you haven’t experienced any of these problems, you should still be careful. Jumping right in with some advanced repertoire could lead to injury.
The best thing you can do is simply play. Start with easier pieces you know and work your way back up. More important that just picking the right repertoire is simply playing again. Practicing will help you develop strength and you’ll be surprised how quickly you can get back into shape. Specifically pick some pieces that allow you to stretch the fingers and stay away from pieces that are percussive and hard at first.
You can play exercises – like scales and arpeggios or some of the one’s I’ve mentioned in previous videos – but the best thing you can do is simply start playing music again. Starting with something slow is your best bet and simply work your way up to faster and more complex music.
Thanks again for joining me Robert Estrin Robert@LivingPianos.com (949) 244-3729
14 thoughts on “Getting Back Into Piano after a Long Absence”
I came back to the piano 62 years later (after graduating high school in 1958), and now some two years later, it seems to have “stuck” pretty hard! It’s been tough to find a compatible teacher who knows how to teach to an adult and not to a professional-track music college student! From my two teachers so far, I’ve always taken a way some critical lessons. One dealt with my incipient finger arthritis, and I learned to play with my forearm, too, not just my fingers used independently. I’d like to learn more about using my wrist in rotation, as well. But here’s a critical product that virtually solved my occasional arthritis, something that is scary when it occurs and threatens my love of learning the piano again: red light therapy! I use a pad to wrap my hands for 20 minutes twice daily now, and within two weeks the problem went away. When it rains I very occasionally feel a twinge or two, but that is all! And yes, I also do full-body stretches every day, and arm and finger stretches before I sit down to practice. I also learned to break a two-hour practice period into four parts of 20-30 minutes each. I can accomplish that much more comfortably than trying to do what my 20-year younger amateur pianist friend does: often practice continuously from 2 to 4 hours a day! Not only good for the body and soul, but playing the piano, memorizing, and reading a new score each day will help me maintain brain function, as research now shows!
That’s great that you have found a way to mitigate your hand problems to a great extent. Ultimately, practicing is primarily a mental exercise. Here is more on this subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uFUiIvPjYY
I started playing piano after 10 years of complete absence. I thought I could play some ballads instantly like I used to, but fingers just don’t listen. 🙂
I bought my piano 35 years ago and played a little to be able to follow a part-time music course. I left piano playing there, more or less, but my son learned on it to a high standard.
Now, after 5 decades of playing guitar and assorted brass instruments, the arthritis other respondents mention makes the piano, with its less contorted hand positions and finger action, seem like a much more attractive option. But there’s so much to do…
It will surely pass when I’ve played more, but right now, the bit that hurts most after a piano-learning session is my head! I suspect that’s not unusual.
John-
I’m glad piano is less stressful to your body. Keep at the practice and your mental capacity will surely grow!
At my age (89) it only takes a day for “Arthur” (arthritis) to move in.So nearly every day I do the following before I attempt to play a piece.
1) STRETCH’Put your hands on the keys with 1st and 5th fingers against the end of the keys and push against the keyboard to stretch thumb and 5th fingers as far apart as they will go.
2) FLEX-Play a C diminished seventh with both hands and hold down the keys. (R.H. C-Eb-Gb-A-C, L.H.A-C-Eb-Gb-A.)This position puts the longest fingers on black keys.Then HOLDING ALL THE KEYS DOWN,flex each finger 8 strokes. Then EACH PAIR OF FINGERS,then PAIRS SUCH AS 1/3,2/4,and 3/5.
I find this very helpful, maybe someone else will also.
Thank you for your interesting emails.
I do hope this man is still alive and enjoys piano on ocassion. After decades of not playing, I have decided to take it back up. I plan to try his warm-up.
You can see all my latest videos and articles here: https://livingpianos.com/blog/
Dear Bob,
I am 67 years old, and have always dreamed of learning how to play the piano.
I have a health issue, I have Essential tremors, which means that my hands shake when I get nervous.
Do you think that I may be pushing the envelop in trying the piano with this condition?
With the many years that you and your dad have in piano, do you think that I will be able to handle the keyboard?
I truly enjoy reading your messages, and seeing all the pianos you have for sale…Keep up the good work.
I await your reply,
John Roberts
John-
I would certainly consult your doctor before taking any action. However, my inclination is that if playing the piano doesn’t cause you any pain or discomfort, you may actually get benefits from the activity. If your doctor says it is O.K., try playing a little bit each day and see how you feel. If things go well, you can spend more time at the piano each day and see what results you get. Always be sensitive to how you feel and you may be able to enjoy music while possibly helping to control the tremors.
A very long time ago I read an interniew with Herbie Hancock in Kyboard magazine. He said after a vacation or illness, time away from piano, he started by going thru the entire 60 Hanons. hmmmmm…. I guess that’s one way….. wonder if he still thinks that’s the way?
Lynn-
Herbie Hancock is certainly a great pianist. And he has found something that works for him. Personally, I don’t see why non musical exercises provide any additional benefits that playing music can’t provide for getting back into shape. But many people have routines that they are comfortable with and ultimately it comes down to what works for you.
What do you think of playing Hanons?