Is there a way to find out if I really like music so much that I should continue learning instruments?

Question

I guess my question wasn't really specific/to the point, but I'm even not so sure of what I want to ask. Basically, I play violin and piano, and I'm still pretty bad at it because I don't practice so much. When I was learning to play the piano, I didn't like practicing because I didn't like to play those songs, but I liked the harder pieces even though it takes me a longer time to learn. I guess my question would be, should I continue in learning music? Sometimes I practice violin or piano for an hour and I get discouraged and stop. I think I need motivation but I don't know how to get it. Am I suited for music when I don't even want to dedicate a few hours of my day to it?

Answer 1

Yes. Music is good for you. Music enriches the soul. Playing a musical instrument has proven to help in math and other scores in school. Those who study a musical instrument learn discipline and teamwork (if you play in band or orchestra) and higher SAT scores are linked to music study. Music uses a part of your body that no other sport or club can use: your soul. That aesthetic feeling that is hard to describe when you are sitting in the orchestra/band/ensemble and you just get that feeling of absolute joy. It may be one moment or it may be always, but that one feeling is what causes most people to continue. Music is something you can do for the rest of your life until you are 100 years old, regardless of your occupation. Music completes us as human beings.

Find your orchestra teacher and ask him/her for some music that he/she recommends to you to learn that you will enjoy. Tell them what you told us. That you don't like practicing becasue you don't like the music. If they are not helpful, go to your local music store or amazon.com and find some show tunes or gospel or whatever you like, and buy a book of music and work on that. Music isn't always fun, especially practicing, but it is necessary to make beautiful music-which is fun!

Answer 2

Along with examining why you started playing music in the first place, think about what it is you want to achieve with music long term. You also need to ask yourself if you actually enjoy it and feel a passion for it, or if you're only doing it because you've always done it. If you really do enjoy it and find joy in accomplishing a difficult piece, then it shows that it's worth sticking with, even if it takes a long time to achieve. Obviously, if it were easy to do, we wouldn't appreciate people who do it well... just like in anything in life--it takes time, effort, and discipline to be good at something. I liken it to sports: Olympic athletes didn't become the best simply by only practicing every few days. They practice for HOURS a day to perfect their sport. That's not to say you have to be perfect unless you plan to be a musician... but you should find SOME enjoyment from playing, otherwise, it's kind of pointless.

Have you thought about playing with another person? When I started playing in a band, I got more motivated to perfect my music b/c other people were listening. Plus, it was more fun b/c other people were enjoying it. It was a big motivator, though...

Answer 3

I'd take a good long look at why you started learning to play instruments. There's nothing wrong with wanting to play harder pieces, but you have to learn the basics. If you enjoy music then by all means continue, but practice.