Take a break?

Irish Flute
1

Well, it has been sense new years since I have played for more than 30 minutes at a sitting and over a week since I have even removed an instrument from their case. Today I was finally in the mood and pulled out the flute and played “O’Connell’s Lamentation” after a half hour I had started to play faster songs and finished with “The Tenpenny Bit” (a piece that always twists my fingers up when I play it fast.)

At his point my fingers needed a rest, so I pulled out the fife, oiled it, and found that for the first time I was able to hit the “high B” in “The Fairy Dance” (aka “Quick Scotch”) After a few more songs I saw that it was 8:00 and I did not dare to play any longer in the apartment.

It was very strange, usually after not practicing my playing is much worse and I cannot play for any length of time (my embouchure just gives out), but this time I actually seemed to improve. (Granted, tomorrow I will probably not be able to hit the third octave and my fingers will tie themselves in knots playing “Mary had a Little Lamb”)

So has anyone else improved after a break?

2

If:

You’re thinking about playing flute in the interim (or dreaming of it); and

You have some bad habits (embouchure, grip, etc.) that need to be overcome;

Then, yes, it’s possible. The best time to break bad habits is after a layoff. They aren’t as strong. It’s happened to me many times, in many areas.

Sometimes the Goddess Namagiri speaks to all of us in our sleep.

– Don

3

Improvement after taking a break is a well-known phenomenon, I think.

If you use muscles daily for a particular strenuous task, they become fatigued. Fast, repetitive tasks take their toll. You don’t realize that you’ve become fatigued.

A day or two off now and then, or a week, allows the muscles to recover.

If nothing else, it’s a good excuse for a vacation!

4

A “day of rest” once a week from everything is a good idea. Taking a day off from work, play, flute, et al, gives the whole body and mind a chance to take a break. I’m not necesserily meaning to take the same day off from all of the above but, for each thing we do habitually, its good to be “free of it” for at least one day a week. I missed playing my flute Monday and found great joy in playing again on Tuesday - and I usually play at least six days a week. FWIW.

BillG

5

I know I have benefitted from taking a break. I wouldn’t dare with the flute yet, since I’ve only been playing for a few months.

I’ve found it has helped with the whistle, work, climbing, etc. Usually about a week off every few months is good for me.