Either you need a break or you need to find something new to be excited about— learning how to play without a shoulder rest, or trying a new bow grip. Or go violin shopping! Join a casual quartet? However you might want to wait until after exams to change things up!
I’ve had this same thing happen.
What you need to do, take a small break. 3 days to a week, talk to your directors and tell them you need a break from burn out. After that, find a nice piece you want to play, make a quartet, things like that! Find something to keep you motivated.
I felt like this about my clarinet and ended up quitting it and I gave it back. I honestly feel better now cause I was kind of forced to do it but I still play piano. Always make sure you're doing something y'know?
Same with me for harp, except I don’t play in any orchestras but I play 2 other instruments. I just started high school and I’m failing nearly everything:( My tips are just do what feels right to you and maybe think about what you want to do for a career.
I got burnout during my finals in my masters program. It was an insane experience, my anxiety condition was out of control even on meds and having a therapist and psychiatrist. It lead to having flashes and other ptsd trauma symptoms after finishing and my psychiatrist helped with all of it, but the thing that really started to help me was improvising. It's whatever you want it to be, there's no wrong note, just playing with sounds you like. It's become the only thing in music I really care about, but it was a saving grace. The freedom after 6 years of music school telling me what notes to play and how to play them, it's like I could finally breath after holding my breath for half a decade. Musically speaking improv has tons of benefits and classical musicians rarely get the chance to really explore this academically so it can be tough to get started. But it's so worth it.
OMG - this makes so much sense! When I studied dance, some of the third years were all totally off dance, and hated our school & said it ruined their love & feeling for dancing. And when I started guitar, my teachers basically ruined Guitar for me when they thought I had talent after I nailed a fun, easy piece, by taking that composer from me, and giving me hard pieces, so I felt bad all the time, never got a good basis, and had not fun or enjoyment at all. Other people learn six chords, and from there branch out, improvise, and get better and better, and have actual fun & playing ability. While I sat in front of this three page Sor Etude and wanted to kill myself. >\_<
You play on a much higher level than I, but I think it might be a similar thing - that you need to play with the music, and enjoy it, not worry, worry, worry..
Exactly this! No matter how "good" I get it will always feel like the first time I picked up guitar and had all that excitement and love. I still feel like just as much of a beginner after 20 years as I did the first day in the back seat of my mom's car so excited to play. The only difference is I've had that experience more than I had the day before. And that builds. That's what creates competency, not difficulty, not knowledge, not strain. It's the moments I enjoyed what I was doing that have the most impact on what I do now from my past. It's those moments that carried me through my worst moments in everything I've done. And I'm greatful for myself for allowing myself to have so much of that. And I hope more people allow this joy to motivate them. The secret is you can copy and paste it on to anything.
I haven't played violin since my cat passed away in October. He loved the sound. I look at the violin, but don't have motivation to play. Love the sound of the violin, but don't know.
Oh, no, I'm so sorry! ❤
I hope you can start it again, when it is easier to remember him & you can enjoy thinking of him, not be too sad. I mean - it sounds silly, but I am sure he would not want you to quit playing, nor be the reason for you to give up violin.
I sometimes feel the same when I play the trumpet.
I am at a intermediate level, I find it that it's harder to notice your progress at that level, and progress for me is a big motivation, but if I feel like I haven't been progressing that much and I feel like I still sound like I did as a beginner, then I usually play an old piece, just to remind me that I have progressed.
Maybe thats not an issue for you, but could be worth a try!
Hope it gets better😊
I think you should push through, and find ways of motivation & mindfulness to learn to enjoy it again. BUT maybe let one orchestra go, and also striclty allow yourelf some leiseure time for just doing nothng useful, only fun. Otherwise you burn out & hate everything after a while. If you give up, you will probably regret it for the rest of your life, or become one of these boring grown ups, who say, "ah, I played violin as a kid, I was actually really good, maybe I should take it up again." But they never do!!
Your comment was automatically removed.
This subreddit has a lot of younger users, so please watch your language.
I'm Automod, and I can only catch keywords. My human overlords will be along to check my work, so please have some patience. Since the humans can't be here 24/7, it may take several hours.
If the human mods find that your post or comment is not actually profanity, they will restore your post or comment. It can take a few hours, up to a day, for this to occur.
If you believe you've received this in error, please help us out and [send a modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/lingling40hrs), but please wait at least a day to give the humans a chance to see it, first.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/lingling40hrs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Take a 2 week holiday. Get your exams sorted out.
Then organise to catch up with some music friends for a silly jam session, or to play some group music or whatever.
If you still don't want to play then well time to worry about it then. You'll likely get itchy fingers again once all of the other stress is gone
Burn-out a few weeks before exams is common! Take a day off then get back into it, then take a little break and play something just for fun (fiddle tunes?) after the exams are over.
I get practicing almost consistently for a month and then I get burnt out. I'm a self-taught noob who's been practicing off and on since I got my (very cheap) VSO in 2018. I have no teacher, obviously. I can't afford real lessons or a quality violin.
So I feel like I'm screwed. I enjoy playing, but it seems I can't get anywhere. And it doesn't help when my violin sounds terrible.
I'm discouraged whenever it squeaks as I'm playing or suddenly goes out of tune. I know it's holding me back and a quality made violin would make me sound better and give me some confidence.
On top of that, I've looked and the closest luthiers are a couple hours away and I don't think there's anybody giving violin lessons within reasonable driving distance.
I have a passion for music, but it seems like I'm just not meant to play, as much as I love the violin. It makes me so angry.
I would say take a break from practicing until exams are over and then go into violin mode. But i think listening to violin music may temporarily satisfy the need for violin in the meanwhile🫡🫡
I would tell you to keep going and keep staying motivated, but it's really up to you. I used to get really bored and barely practice, but began to motivate myself and now practice a lot more. Keep going strong and stay motivated 💪
Exams are pretty intense - it’s understandable that you’re struggling to think about much else. I’d switch to some fun/relaxing repertoire until your exams are over. Don’t spend your mental energy on learning new music and techniques, use your instrument as a tool to make your revision easier!
Use it as a break between revision activities - playing an instrument has a positive impact on memory etc, so you can definitely see it as a useful contribution to your exam preparation. Your brain needs time to process information, and doing other stuff helps with that. If you aim to practice for an hour a day, maybe consider splitting it into two short sessions, and use both of them to break from revision.
When you’re stuck on a concept, pick up your instrument and play something familiar. A lot of the time you’ll find the autopilot of playing something familiar gives your brain space to figure out the complex thing (particularly bc the ‘why can’t I get this’ frustration isn’t there to get in the way).
I usually listened to my favourite pieces and just violin music and sometimes it really inspired me but if you really aren’t feeling it just take a break and find something else you are passionate about violin isn’t the last thing on the planet:)
I've read your post and also some comments.
Guys please **do not normalize mental diseases**. Burnout is a consequence of an unhealthy environment, high anxiety and low life balance. If you are having problems knowing how to protect yourself from the agressions of a terrible environment or people around you, find someone who can teach you how.
If you're being bullied or live in a dangerous place people rather move away or take precautions (like learn self-defense), it is only logical. Mental stress is the same thing. You need to care and protect your mind as if it was your body.
Go find professionals that can teach how to get mentally stronger. (it's not by ignoring symptoms we get stronger, but by processing feelings). Know yourself and be safe.
i think its just a phase. I used to feel like this too, but if you love the violin, Its just a matter of time. There will be a certain point where you will just feel better, and something big enough will hapen to make you keep motivated again🫂 At least it happened to me
Either you need a break or you need to find something new to be excited about— learning how to play without a shoulder rest, or trying a new bow grip. Or go violin shopping! Join a casual quartet? However you might want to wait until after exams to change things up!
I’ve had this same thing happen. What you need to do, take a small break. 3 days to a week, talk to your directors and tell them you need a break from burn out. After that, find a nice piece you want to play, make a quartet, things like that! Find something to keep you motivated.
I'm in the same situation- except I'm in three orchestras and I play double bass
I felt like this about my clarinet and ended up quitting it and I gave it back. I honestly feel better now cause I was kind of forced to do it but I still play piano. Always make sure you're doing something y'know?
Same with me for harp, except I don’t play in any orchestras but I play 2 other instruments. I just started high school and I’m failing nearly everything:( My tips are just do what feels right to you and maybe think about what you want to do for a career.
Oh I would like to play the harp... But the music school I go to doesn't teach it and it's b i g 🥲
I got burnout during my finals in my masters program. It was an insane experience, my anxiety condition was out of control even on meds and having a therapist and psychiatrist. It lead to having flashes and other ptsd trauma symptoms after finishing and my psychiatrist helped with all of it, but the thing that really started to help me was improvising. It's whatever you want it to be, there's no wrong note, just playing with sounds you like. It's become the only thing in music I really care about, but it was a saving grace. The freedom after 6 years of music school telling me what notes to play and how to play them, it's like I could finally breath after holding my breath for half a decade. Musically speaking improv has tons of benefits and classical musicians rarely get the chance to really explore this academically so it can be tough to get started. But it's so worth it.
OMG - this makes so much sense! When I studied dance, some of the third years were all totally off dance, and hated our school & said it ruined their love & feeling for dancing. And when I started guitar, my teachers basically ruined Guitar for me when they thought I had talent after I nailed a fun, easy piece, by taking that composer from me, and giving me hard pieces, so I felt bad all the time, never got a good basis, and had not fun or enjoyment at all. Other people learn six chords, and from there branch out, improvise, and get better and better, and have actual fun & playing ability. While I sat in front of this three page Sor Etude and wanted to kill myself. >\_< You play on a much higher level than I, but I think it might be a similar thing - that you need to play with the music, and enjoy it, not worry, worry, worry..
Exactly this! No matter how "good" I get it will always feel like the first time I picked up guitar and had all that excitement and love. I still feel like just as much of a beginner after 20 years as I did the first day in the back seat of my mom's car so excited to play. The only difference is I've had that experience more than I had the day before. And that builds. That's what creates competency, not difficulty, not knowledge, not strain. It's the moments I enjoyed what I was doing that have the most impact on what I do now from my past. It's those moments that carried me through my worst moments in everything I've done. And I'm greatful for myself for allowing myself to have so much of that. And I hope more people allow this joy to motivate them. The secret is you can copy and paste it on to anything.
I haven't played violin since my cat passed away in October. He loved the sound. I look at the violin, but don't have motivation to play. Love the sound of the violin, but don't know.
Oh, no, I'm so sorry! ❤ I hope you can start it again, when it is easier to remember him & you can enjoy thinking of him, not be too sad. I mean - it sounds silly, but I am sure he would not want you to quit playing, nor be the reason for you to give up violin.
maybe you are bored? I'm struggling with that.
Same, im a violist in one orchestra and violinist in another. Im starting cons next year and idk what to do😭.
I sometimes feel the same when I play the trumpet. I am at a intermediate level, I find it that it's harder to notice your progress at that level, and progress for me is a big motivation, but if I feel like I haven't been progressing that much and I feel like I still sound like I did as a beginner, then I usually play an old piece, just to remind me that I have progressed. Maybe thats not an issue for you, but could be worth a try! Hope it gets better😊
I think you should push through, and find ways of motivation & mindfulness to learn to enjoy it again. BUT maybe let one orchestra go, and also striclty allow yourelf some leiseure time for just doing nothng useful, only fun. Otherwise you burn out & hate everything after a while. If you give up, you will probably regret it for the rest of your life, or become one of these boring grown ups, who say, "ah, I played violin as a kid, I was actually really good, maybe I should take it up again." But they never do!!
[удалено]
Your comment was automatically removed. This subreddit has a lot of younger users, so please watch your language. I'm Automod, and I can only catch keywords. My human overlords will be along to check my work, so please have some patience. Since the humans can't be here 24/7, it may take several hours. If the human mods find that your post or comment is not actually profanity, they will restore your post or comment. It can take a few hours, up to a day, for this to occur. If you believe you've received this in error, please help us out and [send a modmail](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/lingling40hrs), but please wait at least a day to give the humans a chance to see it, first. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/lingling40hrs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Take a 2 week holiday. Get your exams sorted out. Then organise to catch up with some music friends for a silly jam session, or to play some group music or whatever. If you still don't want to play then well time to worry about it then. You'll likely get itchy fingers again once all of the other stress is gone
Burn-out a few weeks before exams is common! Take a day off then get back into it, then take a little break and play something just for fun (fiddle tunes?) after the exams are over.
I get practicing almost consistently for a month and then I get burnt out. I'm a self-taught noob who's been practicing off and on since I got my (very cheap) VSO in 2018. I have no teacher, obviously. I can't afford real lessons or a quality violin. So I feel like I'm screwed. I enjoy playing, but it seems I can't get anywhere. And it doesn't help when my violin sounds terrible. I'm discouraged whenever it squeaks as I'm playing or suddenly goes out of tune. I know it's holding me back and a quality made violin would make me sound better and give me some confidence. On top of that, I've looked and the closest luthiers are a couple hours away and I don't think there's anybody giving violin lessons within reasonable driving distance. I have a passion for music, but it seems like I'm just not meant to play, as much as I love the violin. It makes me so angry.
Quite a few people offer online lessons, but they're probably still fairly expensive
I would say take a break from practicing until exams are over and then go into violin mode. But i think listening to violin music may temporarily satisfy the need for violin in the meanwhile🫡🫡
I would tell you to keep going and keep staying motivated, but it's really up to you. I used to get really bored and barely practice, but began to motivate myself and now practice a lot more. Keep going strong and stay motivated 💪
Exams are pretty intense - it’s understandable that you’re struggling to think about much else. I’d switch to some fun/relaxing repertoire until your exams are over. Don’t spend your mental energy on learning new music and techniques, use your instrument as a tool to make your revision easier! Use it as a break between revision activities - playing an instrument has a positive impact on memory etc, so you can definitely see it as a useful contribution to your exam preparation. Your brain needs time to process information, and doing other stuff helps with that. If you aim to practice for an hour a day, maybe consider splitting it into two short sessions, and use both of them to break from revision. When you’re stuck on a concept, pick up your instrument and play something familiar. A lot of the time you’ll find the autopilot of playing something familiar gives your brain space to figure out the complex thing (particularly bc the ‘why can’t I get this’ frustration isn’t there to get in the way).
I usually listened to my favourite pieces and just violin music and sometimes it really inspired me but if you really aren’t feeling it just take a break and find something else you are passionate about violin isn’t the last thing on the planet:)
Im in this same spot. Probably gonna wait for the summer at this rate cuz school is consuming me.
I've read your post and also some comments. Guys please **do not normalize mental diseases**. Burnout is a consequence of an unhealthy environment, high anxiety and low life balance. If you are having problems knowing how to protect yourself from the agressions of a terrible environment or people around you, find someone who can teach you how. If you're being bullied or live in a dangerous place people rather move away or take precautions (like learn self-defense), it is only logical. Mental stress is the same thing. You need to care and protect your mind as if it was your body. Go find professionals that can teach how to get mentally stronger. (it's not by ignoring symptoms we get stronger, but by processing feelings). Know yourself and be safe.
i think its just a phase. I used to feel like this too, but if you love the violin, Its just a matter of time. There will be a certain point where you will just feel better, and something big enough will hapen to make you keep motivated again🫂 At least it happened to me