Should I quit piano?

Question

I'm in 8th grade and have been playing for 5-7 years.

I mean, I love playing the piano, but I never have enough time or heart to practice. It isn't my main priority either. And yes, my family forced me to take them, but I don't dislike or like them, mainly because I'm so busy I don't have time to practice and dread going to some lessons because I'm afraid my teacher will be disappointed in me. Assuming that I've made up my mind to stop, it won't be easy telling my parents, I think. They're quite strict, and will probably be angry at me (another reason.) But this is a waste of everyone's time and money, so I should quit, because it's at everyone's best interests?

If I quit, I still want to play the piano, so do you think it's possible to teach myself? I know pretty much all the scales and technical components of the piano now...

Thanks for any answers. Anybody ever find themselves in this situation? If so, how did you resolve it?

Answer 1

Stick to Piano playing.......you never know you could be the next BIlly Joel,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,check out Joels history.

He grew up on Long Island during the 1950 /60s. His mother brought him a piano,when he requested one,he took lessons,but when the call for peer group pressure call him play outside his mother wouldnt relent and let him play with his friends outside.To cut to the chase......Billy said although he hated playing while the other kids laughed and played outside in th end he said his mother was right,coz he is where he is today rich,famous and loved musician thanks to her stubbornness in making play the instrument........Joel says that Rock N Roll changed his life,and the Beatles had a major part in influencing him to make music and start bands.

Answer 2

I regret quitting piano, my daughter regrets quitting piano.....don't quit! One day you'll thank yourself!

Answer 3

NO!  Don't quit.  I so regret quitting as do so many of my friends and family.  I tried to teach myself after years of lessons and time away from the piano.  I wish my parents made me continue with my lessons.

Answer 4

I think you shouldn't completely quit the piano, but just lay it aside for maybe six months or so, it might regain its charm. I know I stopped playing for about three years and came back to attack it. Paderewski, Cziffra, Horowitz, and Eyireghazi all stopped playing the piano at some time in their lives--due to various reasons--but they're all great pianists. Lessons aren't necessary, just play through Czerny everyday and take some harmonic, composition classes. You'll appreciate it more.

Answer 5

If you quit you may not care at first, but at some point in the future you will regret quitting and from that time forward that regret will never leave you.

Answer 6

Sorry, your arguement won't hold up in court.  You can not make the arguement that your parent's money is being wasted unless they think it is so.  I'm sure they are happy to spend the $$.  They are encouraging you, yes?

Who is wasting time here?  Not your teacher.  She is being paid to do a service.  You must hold some respect for her/him or you would not feel guilty at the prospect of telling her your intentions (giving up lessons).

5 years is a considerable length of time to put into a discipline but not a drop in the bucket for such an amazing  ability; one that you can use throughout your lifetime.  What makes you think it would easier and less time consuming to teach yourself?

Do you think you're the only teen that has ever had "better things" to do?  You are very normal to have these attitudes.  And, of course it's a pain to practice.

Now here's the difference between a "quitter" and you:

You..."love playing the piano"... You would, "still want to play the piano" (after you quit).  It is clear that you are ambivalent about this and that you are concerned about the grief you'll create and receive if you do quit.

If I were you (and as wise as I am now...I would have a conversation with your teacher first.  Be honest with her.  I'll bet she could come up with a few ideas on how to get you over this hurdle.  You could suggest that she, lighten up on the technical mastery, get into playing  pop fun music, or change the lesson schedule...something along those lines.  If she supports you, your parents will follow in suit.

Good luck.  

I wish I could find out what your ultimate decision is...

Answer 7

no way I know its tough with Homework and whatever else your doing, but if you stay at it, then you might have a future with piano. also if you stay at it if you ever want to play a different instrument it will be easy because you played piano in your childhood.

Answer 8

I had no talent for the piano and it was a waste of time but my parents seemed to think it was useful and my teacher was really into it.

Then I got a paid job playing piano once a week for a group, about a decade later.  I still wasn't very good, but it was a great experience.

I wish someone who actually could play the piano and loved it had my opportunities for using that skill!!!

So if you love it, it should be a priority, and other things should come after: maybe their quality will suffer, maybe not, but do you really want to be good at something you have no love for?  It's not so easy finding things to love in this life, however it seems to you now.

The other option is join a band or something: then you only all get together for fun, but you do get together.  If you can't practice now, you won't when you quit.

Answer 9

I was in the same boat.  I enjoyed (and still enjoy) playing piano, but I hated lessons (your teacher sounds a lot like my old teacher).  I did end up quitting.  Part of me regrets quitting, because of how much I love to play.  But, part of me does not miss the lessons, the practice, the recitals, etc.  When I quit, I found it hard to motivate myself to keep playing. It took me a few years to convince myself to start to play again.  I am definitely not as good as I used to be though.

If you want to keep playing music, you always have options like joining a band, or practicing independently, or learning a new instrument.  I ended up teaching myself how to play guitar instead of practicing the piano.

Answer 10

All I can say (time crunch; could expand) is that playing the piano is something I wish I have learned. I know I still can, but I'll be teaching my self. If you can play at all I think that is a wonderful aspect and it can help in so many ways that you don't realize. Keep with the piano. Even if you quit and your parents aren't happy, if you keep playing once in a while it light make them somewhat content or relaxed about what they might be feeling. Most parents that make their child learn piano at younger ages is because they had regrets about not learning it them selves. They shouldn't hold anything against you if you know now how to play, as long as you keep playing!

♥ Peace

(wow I ended up writing a lot :]...)

Answer 11

Never quit! Piano is such an enviable talent! Just pick it up here and there and keep on with it. Trust me - when you get older you will love it more than you do now. I wish I never quit - and I actually have thought about starting again (and Im 22!)