Any other ADD'ers play the piano or any other instruments?

The reason I ask is because I started playing the piano about 2 years ago. I've sorta progressed, but I feel my ADD is slowing me down.

I was wondering if anyone had any practice routines? I've just started meds, so it helps sort of, but I always end up doodling away on the piano, doing different things, rather than following the sheet music. Is there a certain time that helps best?

Thanks,
Tyler

I have found the same problem. With piano as well as many other hobbies. I progress to a certain point, then get stuck. I have always been jack-of-all-trades, but master-of-none. In some ways it's a benefit, but it would be nice to be really good at SOMETHING!!!

Anyway, about the only way I have found to get over the plateau is to challange yourself with a deadline or certain task. If there is a certain type of hand movement that you struggle with, then pick some music with that in it and set up a concert of sorts with friends or family.

Good luck!

Sounds like a good idea. I seem to work good with deadlines on my meds. Before the meds I would just procastinate. So I'll setup a time each day, write it down, that I will be at the piano. And I will setup other deadlines for when I want to perfect certain pieces of music!

Playing for friends and family... hmm... If I make that my goal it may work too. As right now playing the piano is a personal thing, and I've never really shared it. Other than when I'm practicing and my dad is around.

I played piano as a kid and was good enough to be put into advanced recitals when I was pretty young. It was pretty traumatic because despite having a good touch, I couldn't remember whole pieces for the life of me. It was painful because I had no idea I had add (non-hyper). Fortunately, I switched to jazz piano lessons where I didn't have to memorize every single note...I could improvise.

Looking back, my confidence in classical music was shattered, but if I knew I had ADD and stuck with it, who knows...maybe I would've gotten over the road block.

Anyway, about the only way I have found to get over the plateau is to challange yourself with a deadline or certain task. If there is a certain type of hand movement that you struggle with, then pick some music with that in it and set up a concert of sorts with friends or family.That's my technique--I always have a couple of pieces I'm currently working on to get to casual 'performance' level. Don't downplay the time you spend 'doodling' on the piano, especially if it's a form of self-expression. Who knows.... you may develop a signature style and start throwing out piano albums:D .

Unless you're planning on concert performances, figuring out why you want to play the piano is really important. 'learning to play the piano' is way too indefinite. 'Playing any music anyone puts in front of me by sight' would be another goal. My goal (though I didn't figure it out for awhile) was being able to just sit down and play anything at a certain skill level for my enjoyment, without having to struggle with it. 'Enjoying myself' is whole different goal that would probably include being able to play a few pieces and doodle to your heart's content. Or it might include learning a little music theory so your doodling sounds the way you want. Some people's goal is being able to play anything they hear, no sheet music involved.

Oh, and---sheet music requires decent lighting and either good vision or good glasses, or your brain will decide it would rather look at something else. A higher than average % of add'ers have convergence insufficiency. Just a little vision difficulty may not be enough to really notice but enough to take the joy out of sheet music.

My practice routine always includes a book of technique-strong music or music exercises (Czerny or something.) My ADD doesn't like strict routines or scheduling, so I pick one at random and work on it a few minutes, til I'm happy with it or bored with it. Helps keep up the technical & sight-reading skills and warms my hands up for what I want to play. You have to pick a book close enough to your level to be able to play it, but just enough above your level to stay challenging and interesting.

What are you working on learning at the moment?

I learned Violin and Piano as well as being a trained baritone but I learn everything fast and get bored fast and rarely do it again