Taking a short break

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I have been into my harp journey two years. Practice is daily with very few exceptions. Went to see family and did not pick up a harp for five days. Came back home and my play has improved relative to a month or two ago. While traveling reading about theory was the only time a harmonica came to mind.

I practice at least two hours a day, sometimes more. What surprised me is how a one week break helped. Burnout could have been an issue but I really enjoy practicing. I did read about music theory and put a couple more links in my chain i.e. position play, It beats sitting in a car doing nothing for 11 hours while my wife was driving. Saw my father in law as it was his 96th B Day and he just took up another hobby. He is sharp as a tack and healthy. I have a picture of my three kids sitting next to their great great grandmother before she died a month short of 104, She was interviewed at her 100th and attributed her long life to a bit of sipping whiskey, a sense of humor and family. I do not think she ever hear anything about cholesterol. Kept things short and simple.

My question. Have any of you tried this and benefited from short breaks?

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Yes. I have commented on it a few times. I take a break and play improves. I have wondered why. Maybe some kind of expectation reset. Frustration at slow progress reset. Like if we practice something a lot we expect to improve but if we take a break we expect our playing to go backwards a little. When it doesn’t we find that surprising. I do know if the break is too long this doesn’t happen.

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Yes. A day off each week is a good thing. Longer than that is fine too, but there might be some relearning when you get back to it.

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