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You won’t be at the level you were at when you stopped playing. The comparison is always riding a bike, but there are more complex skills involved in playing music. For this reason, it’s best not to compare yourself to your former self. You may have retained a few basics, like how to hold the instrument and even produce a sound, but it’s best to revise your aims and make sure you have simple goals you can achieve in the short term to get you started.

Cognitive abilities (analysis of pitches, rhythms, and textures – aurally and oftentimes visually), motor skills (independent finger, limb, breath and vocalisations), and physical stamina (breathing, isometric strength in the case of heavy instruments, and cardiovascular conditioning in the case of instruments like drums and percussion). Some examples might be:

Advice you may remember from your teacher (well, my teacher at least); “it’s better to practice 10 minutes every day than 70 minutes once-a-week,” but set realistic expectations – try to fit in 3-4 sessions a week.

Use an app or make videos so that you can keep a track of how you have been playing, things you are struggling with and tracking your improvement.

Today there are a lot of options on youtube, blogs and apps on tips, tricks, guides, courses. Find resources that work for you.

Use these tips as a way of getting back into music – whether it be a passion, a hobby, or a new career! Keep practicing.