I've played the piano for 7 years, am i behind the level i should be at?

Question

i plan to play papillons by shuman. i just started playing arabesque by desbussy. i feel like i'm behind and embarrased about it. i mean it's my fault if i am behind. what's the best way to solve it? pratice? right, obviously. how can i motivate myself to play the piano? sometimes i don't want to play when other people are around, even my family. so anyways, i have to prepare for my next piano recital coming in a year, and so what kind of outlook should i have?

sometimes i cry cuz i think that i suck and i dont deserve it.

Answer 1

After playing for 7 years, you are exactly at the level you should be at.

Music is not a competition; everybody progresses at their own pace, so there's no shame in being 'behind' your peers.

Play piano because you enjoy it, don't make it into a competition. That will guarantee that you will end up hating it. Just have fun. :-)

Answer 2

I wouldn't feel bad about the rep. you are choosing.  Papillions is a wonderful piece and is the caliber piece you might play for a college audition, or a professional recital, or even a competition.  It is also the kind of piece you can live with your entire life!  Do you know the "story" behind it?  There are some interesting references to the book Flegeljahr about twin brothers Walt and Vult, one who is social and outgoing, the other an introvert, who go to a masked ball.  You might see how this would appeal to Schumann.  This is a piece of music an 'artist' will play.  Your job is not to play so other people will approve, it is to create art and enjoy yourself.  Go to an art muserm...think about the artists who created those works.  They didn't want to give people something they expected to see, but something fresh, original, and uniquely their own.  That's what makes their art so interesting--it is a window into the depths of that person.

Also, check out on youtube, lugansky tokyo recital.  There are like 6 parts, it is quite long, perhaps an hour, but worth every second.  You will hear your Arabesque near the end.

I think, as a pianist myself, that there are times when one should push through a period of frustration and put their energy into practicing, and times when we should take a short vacation and approach things with a fresh start.  Above all else, we should truly enjoy playing, at least deep down.  If you truly love it, that is great.  If it causes you too much pain and stress, then you may be missing the point.  I hope you keep at it!

PS-after 7 years of piano, I was playing Chopin nocturnes at best.  I didn't do Papillion until much later.  Good luck!