Coming back to music after a break

Feeling lowShifting perspective
Written By Erica Bramham

How to start playing music again after time away from your instrument

Includes a guided meditation for musicians and music students

Taking a break from music — whether it’s been days, months, or even years — can stir up guilt, self-doubt, or a fear that we’ve lost something we’ll never get back.

In today’s video, we talk about how to gently return to music practice after time away, without judgment or pressure. You’ll hear why the process of relearning can actually be faster, and how to work with — not against — the current state of your playing.

You’ll also get a guided meditation at the end to help clear the mental clutter and reconnect with your instrument as it is today.

 

More like this…

Practice Space
How to spot practice procrastination and move forward
How to spot practice procrastination and move forward

Many musicians find themselves stuck in a cycle of “productive procrastination” — spending hours reading, watching videos, or buying gear without actually practicing.

Try this backwards trick to refresh your music practice
Try this backwards trick to refresh your music practice

Do you ever find yourself zoning out during scales or running out of steam before you get to the hard parts? It’s easy to fall into autopilot when you always do things the same way.

How to talk to your music teacher when practice feels pointless
How to talk to your music teacher when practice feels pointless

It’s a frustrating feeling: you’re trying to be a good student, but the practice tasks you’re given feel boring, confusing, or disconnected from what you want to play.

Do you avoid practicing with a metronome?
Do you avoid practicing with a metronome?

Do you avoid the metronome? Feel like it’s out to get you? Many musicians struggle to play along with a metronome — it can feel awkward, frustrating, or even like a personal failure.

Stop trying to rush ahead
Stop trying to rush ahead

Do you ever rush ahead in your music practice — thinking about the next note, the next section, or even what’s for lunch?

Coming back to music after a break
Coming back to music after a break

Taking a break from music — whether it’s been days, months, or even years — can stir up guilt, self-doubt, or a fear that we’ve lost something we’ll never get back.

Don’t have time or energy to practice music today?
Don’t have time or energy to practice music today?

Feeling too tired for a full practice session? It’s okay to turn back halfway.

Play the emotion you’re feeling—then try its opposite
Play the emotion you’re feeling—then try its opposite

Sometimes your emotions feel too big (or too dull!) to practice through. But what if you could use them?

Build a consistent practice habit as a beginner
Build a consistent practice habit as a beginner

It’s easy to lose momentum when you’re learning a new instrument or returning after a break.

Need an extra push in your music practice?
Need an extra push in your music practice?

Sometimes internal motivation just isn’t enough, especially if you’re an adult learning an instrument.

Facing a mountain in your practice?
Facing a mountain in your practice?

When you’re working on a piece that feels too hard, it’s easy to feel stuck or lose confidence. The mountain seems too big, and you can’t imagine ever reaching the top.

Overwhelmed by a big music goal?
Overwhelmed by a big music goal?

Sometimes our music goals feel so big they actually stop us from practicing.

Stuck at intermediate?
Stuck at intermediate?

Ever feel like you were improving faster when you first started learning music? You’re not imagining it.

How to stay motivated when teaching yourself music
How to stay motivated when teaching yourself music

When we are learning music, especially if we are teaching ourselves, we often just want someone to hand us a method book and tell us exactly what to practice.

Why you need to practice making mistakes
Why you need to practice making mistakes

We’ve all been there — you hit a mistake in your music practice, cringe, stop, and go back. But if we always stop for every mistake in the practice room, how can we expect to play through them in performance?

Feeling stuck in your music practice?
Feeling stuck in your music practice?

When we learn an instrument or to sing, some days feel amazing, some feel frustrating, and some even feel boring.

Don't feel like practicing? Just put on your running shoes
Don't feel like practicing? Just put on your running shoes

Sometimes the hardest part of practicing music is just getting started. Borrowing advice from running coaches: when you don’t feel like running, just put on your shoes and step outside.

Can't get started with practice today?
Can't get started with practice today?

Feeling low on motivation to practice music today? It happens — sometimes for days, weeks, or even longer.

The one thing I do on days I don’t feel like practicing music
The one thing I do on days I don’t feel like practicing music

Some days, music practice feels like a big ask, but staying connected to your instrument or voice doesn’t have to mean pushing through with full energy.

Feeling flat or uninspired in your music practice?
Feeling flat or uninspired in your music practice?

Have you ever felt that rush of inspiration when you first discover something new? But then, the second time you watch, listen to, or read that same thing, it doesn’t have the same power.

Did you skip music practice this week?
Did you skip music practice this week?

If you haven’t practiced your instrument or sung in a while, perfectionism might be holding you back.

Erica Bramham
Previous

Stop trying to rush ahead
Next

Don’t have time or energy to practice music today?