Bobadohshe Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 It seems that every time I go on vacation and have to leave the piano alone for 10 days I come back and have to rebuild my technique for 3 weeks to get it back to where it was. I really really hate that. I am in a great place technically right now and I have a week long trip coming up in April and I know I'm going to come back and will have lost much facility. How do you guys deal with this? I know everybody is different and some aren't as affect as I am. It's getting to the point where I don't want to take long vacations because of the setbacks I experience playing wise. Kawai C-60 Grand Piano : Hammond A-100 : Hammond SK2 : Yamaha CP4 : Yamaha Montage 7 : Moog Sub 37 My latest album: Funky organ, huge horn section https://bobbycressey.bandcamp.com/album/cali-native Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zephonic Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Yeah, same here. If I don't play for at least 30 minutes daily, my chops deteriorate quick. For vacation, there is no choice but to accept and deal with it. local: Korg Nautilus 73 | Yamaha MODX8 away: GigPerformer home: Kawai RX-2 | Korg D1 | Roland Fantom X7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Force Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 take a board with you. Steve Force, Durham, North Carolina -------- My Professional Websites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanL Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 It's great when you aren't that good. I can go for a week without playing and not lose a thing! Live: Korg Kronos 2 88, Nord Electro 5d Nord Lead A1 Toys: Roland FA08, Novation Ultranova, Moog LP, Roland SP-404SX, Roland JX10,Emu MK6 www.bksband.com www.echoesrocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Wright Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I have taken a board with me when I travel. Depends on the nature of the trip, and wether or not I will actually have an opportunity to practice. "I cried when I wrote this song Sue me if I play too long" Walter Becker Donald Fagan 1977 Deacon Blues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMcS Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 It's great when you aren't that good. I can go for a week without playing and not lose a thing! +1 Quote of the day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Force Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 It depends on the destination of course, but you can ship a board to the hotel beforehand and have them store it in the baggage room awaiting your arrival. Perhaps the destination has a piano you can practice on? You have options. Steve Force, Durham, North Carolina -------- My Professional Websites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedKey Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 It's great when you aren't that good. I can go for a week without playing and not lose a thing! +1 Quote of the day!+2 Cleaning sprayed coffee off of my desk now... Totally me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richforman Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Take into account that some of the mental/emotional/spiritual benefits of being completely away from your usual routine, indulging yourself in pleasures and experiences you don't always get to have, and really taking time off from (and freeing your mind of, really letting go) your normal responsibilities and duties....might somewhat offset the effects of missing a few days' practice. You're hopefully getting some relaxation, rejuvenation, and joy that will contribute to your level of inspiration and enthusiasm for your music when you get back to the grind. Just a thought! Rich Forman Yamaha MOXF8, Korg Kronos 2-61, Roland Fantom X7, Ferrofish B4000+ organ module, Roland VR-09, EV ZLX12P, K&M Spider Pro stand, Yamaha S80, Korg Trinity Plus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delaware Dave Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Isn't that the reason they call it ............ vacation? P.S. I maintain hand dexterity by doing 12 ounce curls ..... 57 Hammond B3; 69 Hammond L100P; 68 Leslie 122; Kurzweil Forte7 & PC3; M-Audio Code 61; Voce V5+; Neo Vent; EV ELX112P; GSI Gemini & Burn Delaware Dave Exit93band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adan Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 It's a common dilemna. My RD64 slips easily into a car for road trips, and the weighted action is critical for maintaining technique. Flying? What about just slumming it in music stores wherever you find them? Churches, community centers, and brothels tend to have pianos sitting around and people often don't mind you playing. I guess piano-ed brothels are becoming an old world item, but you gotta love the idea, a la Pretty Baby, etc. Other than that, as others have said, just try to relax and allow yourself to press the "reset" button on your mind. Gigging: Crumar Mojo 61, Hammond SKPro Home: Vintage Vibe 64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I need a vacation I think. I am developing pain in the underside of my wrist. If I were to draw a line straight up from the pain area through my hand it would line up with my ring finger. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobadohshe Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share Posted March 5, 2014 Going to Shanghai. Not bringing an 88 w/ me. Take into account that some of the mental/emotional/spiritual benefits of being completely away from your usual routine, indulging yourself in pleasures and experiences you don't always get to have, and really taking time off from (and freeing your mind of, really letting go) your normal responsibilities and duties....might somewhat offset the effects of missing a few days' practice. You're hopefully getting some relaxation, rejuvenation, and joy that will contribute to your level of inspiration and enthusiasm for your music when you get back to the grind. Just a thought! That's certainly a valid point. But a music vacation is not what I need right now. I am not worn out on my playing, in fact I'm at a really happy place with it. I had the same issue when I went to Chicago last Summer. Great trip but seriously derailed for awhile. Kawai C-60 Grand Piano : Hammond A-100 : Hammond SK2 : Yamaha CP4 : Yamaha Montage 7 : Moog Sub 37 My latest album: Funky organ, huge horn section https://bobbycressey.bandcamp.com/album/cali-native Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George88 Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 If I saw a piano on vacation I would sue my travel agent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Weiser Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Go enjoy your vacation - forget the damned axe for a week or two. The time away from the instrument will do wonders for your head. Time - hours and days - is a huge force that can be very helpful. You'll come back with fresh ideas and fresh ears. Unless you have to perform Wakeman's King Arthur on Ice note for note or a Chopin recital upon your return, I can't imagine the hit to your technique would be very significant. (And if you're doing the King Arthur thing, you'd be better served by working on your skating chops anyway!) I just spent two weeks working 16 hour days - all keyboards, all the time. And since wrapping up that project and getting home, I have not even looked at a keyboard for the past 3 days. Personally I'd go crazy without my non-keyboard time. https://www.theboywhowantedtorock.com http://www.weisersound.com https://www.facebook.com/weisersound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ybyb Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I never take vacations, not for a day or a week, not because of the reason you mentioned but because I literally cannot bear to be away from the piano. If I'm not practicing/teaching, I feel a kind of boredom that I find intolerable. Not great for my wife, but she takes off from time to time to travel somewhere and then it's...more practice for me YAY!! Dave Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Martin Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 It's great when you aren't that good. I can go for a week without playing and not lose a thing! +1 Quote of the day!+2 Cleaning sprayed coffee off of my desk now... Totally me! +3. I have a hard time when there is a 6 month break between NAMM shows. -Mike Martin Casio Mike Martin Photography Instagram Facebook The Big Picture Photography Forum on Music Player Network The opinions I post here are my own and do not represent the company I work for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Nathan Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 va·ca·tion [vey-key-shuhn, vuh-] Show IPA noun 1. a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel Don't rush me. I'm playing as slowly as I can! http://www.stevenathanmusic.com/stevenathanmusic.com/HOME.html https://apple.co/2EGpYXK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 It's great when you aren't that good. I can go for a week without playing and not lose a thing! The less I play, the better I get. I must be doing something wrong. Anyway, a break is always good. But I find I look for pianos in any hotel. If I'm MIA, my wife knows where to hunt for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six-string-man Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Churches, community centers, and brothels tend to have pianos sitting around and people often don't mind you playing. Oh yeah, I can REALLY see that happening. Me:- (to Keyboard Girl) I'm just slipping off down to the brothel darling, you understand, it's for the piano. Keyboard Girl:- (to me) You do, and you're dead, but feel free. SSM Keyboard Girl is my better half btw Occasionally, do something nice for a total stranger. They'll wonder what the hell is going on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b3maniac Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I drink with both hands. Yamaha MOXF8, MOXF6, Radial Key Largo, Yamaha DXR 10's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobadohshe Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share Posted March 5, 2014 Unless you have to perform Wakeman's King Arthur on Ice note for note or a Chopin recital upon your return, I can't imagine the hit to your technique would be very significant. Not exactly but some of the stuff we do is really technically demanding. And I hate not being at my best. Kawai C-60 Grand Piano : Hammond A-100 : Hammond SK2 : Yamaha CP4 : Yamaha Montage 7 : Moog Sub 37 My latest album: Funky organ, huge horn section https://bobbycressey.bandcamp.com/album/cali-native Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frogmonkey Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Yeah. That's an issue. Recently I've decided that I like real life better than vacations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatFingers Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Technique may suffer a bit but doesn't the improvisation ability improve? At least that's my rationale for spending on travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArKay Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Spend lots of time in the piano bar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adan Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Kind of an interesting and deep question implicated by this thread. If being an artist was only a matter of technique, then we should just practice 10 hours a day and stop only for essentials like food, sleep, exercise. On the other hand, I've known plenty of people who wanted to be artists but felt they first had to absorb enough broadening experiences, and so they just trekked around, having a great time. They have the soul of an artists, but never stay in once place long enough to practice a craft. Guitarists don't really have this dilema. Gigging: Crumar Mojo 61, Hammond SKPro Home: Vintage Vibe 64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 I bet that your technique doesn't slip nearly as much as you think or feel that it does, Bobby. I also would bet that it doesn't take that much work to get you back to where you were. Perhaps one approach is to allow yourself the vacation time, plus, where you give yourself a little time after you get back to tune yourself back up. Plenty of practice time maybe with a few easier gigs mixed in to get yourself back up to speed. I know that may not be possible, but it's an idea to consider. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mynameisdanno Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 One of the only times you'll catch me using an x-stand: hotel room ironing board. http://slorg.org/kc/xstand.jpg To be real though, I'm actually on a day-job trip, have a ton of tunes to chart in the evenings, and I'm sneaking up to Austin to play at SXSW before I go back home. If I take an actual vacation, I usually want to throw myself into whatever I'm doing there (or not doing). Plus my wife would razz me to no end. Kind of an interesting and deep question implicated by this thread. If being an artist was only a matter of technique, then we should just practice 10 hours a day and stop only for essentials like food, sleep, exercise. On the other hand, I've known plenty of people who wanted to be artists but felt they first had to absorb enough broadening experiences, and so they just trekked around, having a great time. They have the soul of an artists, but never stay in once place long enough to practice a craft. Guitarists don't really have this dilema. http://slorg.org/kc/burn.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humannoyed Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Going to Shanghai. Not bringing an 88 w/ me. So...curious what if any size fully-weighted keyboard would you consider travelling with? 76? (something the size of the SP4-7?), 73?, 61?, 49?(not made that I am aware of) I too hate to miss more than a day or two of not playing myself. I just miss it! According to Sven if you were in Canada you could just go to a public library where they have practice rooms with pianos. A great idea! "It is a danger to create something and risk rejection. It is a greater danger to create nothing and allow mediocrity to rule." "You owe it to us all to get on with what you're good at." W.H. Auden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobadohshe Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share Posted March 6, 2014 I bet that your technique doesn't slip nearly as much as you think or feel that it does, Bobby. I also would bet that it doesn't take that much work to get you back to where you were. Oh yes it does. Kawai C-60 Grand Piano : Hammond A-100 : Hammond SK2 : Yamaha CP4 : Yamaha Montage 7 : Moog Sub 37 My latest album: Funky organ, huge horn section https://bobbycressey.bandcamp.com/album/cali-native Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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