I'm off to Athens for 4 days on Sunday - it's a tough job but someone's got to do it! The European Hernia Society needs my support (a bad joke made no better by being true: I'm presenting a paper there!!)

I already feel piano keyboard withdrawal symptoms coming on: It's not like I can take one with me.

Which made me wonder: What do other people do about those times when you can't practice for a few days?

I remember when I was on holidays and got piano withdrawal symptoms, and then I would pass by a grand piano in a hotel we may be staying in - except most of the time, it was either locked, or being played by some professional pianist to entertain people while they were dining, and I'd be thinking - hey, you've had your go for the last hour now, it's my turn!

Of course, I would look around to see if there were any music shops in town, and then try some of the keyboards in there - that's one way of solving your problem! It has to be a new shop after every 2 times visiting though, otherwise they get annoyed that you're not buying anything!

Or how about buying one of those cheap 'kiddy' miniature electronic keyboard things abroad to keep you entertained for a while? Is bringing a small keyboard completely out they question, providing it doesn't cost a fortune? Might be a bit annoying lugging it around everywhere though!

I guess the last resort is finger tapping or playing 'air-piano'!

~Wobby~

I went crazy for two weeks, I played stuff on the table and because I'm an organist I played stuff with my feet as well! I came back (having not played a keyboard instrument for two weeks) on the saturday at ten to midnight and I had to play for a big service the next morning at 9am!!! I had to get up to go and practice at 6.30am!
Alex

How about one of those keyboards you can roll up? They're quite expensive though (£50?)

A break away can do you good sometimes - it helps you return more refreshed to the music you're working on and allows a greater depth of understanding to work inside you because you can't physically play, only just think about the music.

I have talked to a number of professional musicians in my time who all reckon you can learn as much from thinking about your piece (and studying the score if you can carry it with you) than just playing.

When the "live" instrument is back in your hands/under your fingers, it's then such a great feeling that the playing becomes kind of liberated.

Alternatively, Robodoc, ask the Hernia Society to provide you with a piano and speak your presentation over soothing piano music.

Hope it goes well - travel safely.

I'm lucky Robocop, as I can easily take my flute with me. We stay on a farm and there is no problem with me playing. The farmer thinks it is hilarious that I play on holiday. Unless you can shoot it or take it a walk, he's not interested His wife sings in a choir though, and so she understands. However, now I am a pinao player, I shall ask her if she has a piano in the house. I'm cheeky enough
Bev.

Agree. Take your music with you. I'm sure I've read some research about the appropriate areas of your brain (fingers etc) activating when you simply read the music, so you can practice effectively just by thinking about it (or indeed playing 'air piano' as another member suggested!) There might even be a piano in your hotel...

Agree too I've done it on long train journeys (sometimes a good way to get a compartment to yourself!)

I went to Italy last february for 2 weeks and I could not face staying that long without practice! So..I bought the cheapest Yamaha keyboard with touch sensitive keys (mind you, it only has 66 keys so with some pieces you run out of keys!) which costed me about £120. This was also not heavy to carry around. I bought a case for it (not a hard one as they are too expensive), just a padded case/bag, then as you have to check it in for the flight (they count it in your baggage allowance you see) I have stuffed my clothes around it, this protected it against knocks, once I checked it in I told them it was fragile so it went through a different check in for oversized/fragile items. Anyway, I happily practiced for 2 weeks, I know it is NOTHING like an acoustic piano, but it was a good compromise, I even progressed quite a lot in those 2 weeks! Now I use the keyboard to practice away from home, I take it to work with me and if I have a weekend away! At home I now have an acoustic piano to play.

Actually, it's RoboDOC: I think I'll add the explanation to my signature!

Sorry Rob, I knew that, it was just a typo.
Not the cop type eh?? My goodness, in casualty these days, you need a self defence course more than ever
Have a great time in Athens, and don't have too much of the local tipple
Bev.

I have to agree that a forced break in practice, caused by holidays etc., can be very beneficial to ones playing and all you have to do is nothing. I always used to worry about having a few weeks away from playing and the most I can manage without withdrawal symptoms setting in is two weeks. Just remind yourself that the act of NOT practicing is actually doing you good

You could do what I've done in the past - walk into a big concert hall, say you are a pianist doing a concert soon and would like to try the piano. you have to be quite good to get away with it though!

I work as a pianist, love the piano, can't imagine life without playing etc. etc. but I am quite happy just to have time off when I am on holiday!

The last 2 months excepted, I've spent the last 34 years not practicing! I'm not sure that 2 months practice is enough to claim that a break that might be beneficial - I'm just beginning to feel I'm getting somewhere.

As for claiming to be a concert pianist - they'd rumble that one in no time flat! Still, it's only 4 days!

Gotta go, gotta pack, taxi 6 am! See you all Wednesday night.

Rob

I play air piano on the tables and desks at school. My friends hate me for it!

Haha so I realize that you're probably already back from the trip...
BUT...
when I go away sometimes I contact local churches and practice on their pianos! It is really helpful if you have competitions coming up!
Haha hope you had a nice time!!

*Sarice*

Yes I'm back - but the day after I got back from Athens my mother was admitted to hospital . . . in Carcassone! (she's ok now).

Now I'm back again having done almost no practice for a fortnight.

Rest is rust, alas!