Should i give up piano lessons even though everyone wants me to carry on?

Question

hey. i have played the piano all the way through my school life, but this year i have some HUGE exams coming up. I really want to give up, and i always have, but my parents and my piano teacher really want me to carry on. i keep trying to persuade my parents that they will save money but theyre having none of it. how can i feel less guilty for giving up, and try to avoid my teacher? (she works at my school) shes crazy and i am worried she will throw a piano at me.

Answer 1

I know it probably feels like you really won't at the moment, but in the future you will regret it at some point.

I started the piano when I was about 6 and gave up when I was 8. I never practised because I wasn't interested and hated the teacher. She couldn't seem to understand if I couldn't do somethingm like if I couldn't get a particular rhythm right, or my hands wouldn't work together and would say "well, why can't you do it?!" and would do it for me without explaining an easier way, then say "do it!" again. She was scary. I remember I would always forget my books on purpose, so I wouldn't have a lesson, she knew and kept a special sight reading book for people who forgot their books. She was so evil.

My parents finally let me stop, and I remember in my last lesson she said "Ok, well I'm going to tell you to practise these for next week, although I doubt you actually will" and I said happily "Oh no, I'm not coming next week". She said "Why? Have you got a doctor's appointment or something?" I replied "No, I'm not coming next week, or the week after, or the week after. I quit." And walked out. Oh it felt so good.

Now I regret it so much though, music has become a huge part of my life, I'm grade 4 at singing and grade 3 at the flute. I wish I'd just swapped teachers and carried on, or had a break and swapped teachers. Oh well, I'm only 13 so maybe I'll have another go at piano if my parents let me.

Don't give up, I was rubbish when I played, but if I stuck at it I would have got better. Maybe have a break while you do your exams, or don't take it seriously and play for pleasure and relaxation between exams. If you give up now, one day you'll see someone playing the piano really well and wish you'd carried on.  

Answer 2

Maybe you can tell your parents that you want to take a break from lessons until you are finished with your exams.  

Answer 3

i do piano and i have gcse lessons and exams in next 2 years i am giving it up at school but i am going to teach myself or get occasional lessons outside of school , you should tell your parents that you want to do good in your exam but u will still practice at home.

Answer 4

The fact that you piano teacher seems to be eager for you to continue must mean that you are good at what you do... I assume that you are young...if so... this is a great 'qualification' to have...you may feel stifled now, but in the future you may look back and think that you are glad that you can play the piano compared to most others who can't :)

Maybe try take a small break, tell your parents that you would like to concentrate on you exams and ask for relevant amount of time off. I am sure that they will understand.

But in the end, its what you'd like to do. Be wise and try not to only think about 'now' think of later :)

Take care NeatEye

Answer 5

If your heart really is not in it then it may be pointless to carry on.  However, think very hard that it is really what you want as you may regret giving up in the future.

Maybe you just cannot be bothered as there are big exams coming up and you probably want to go out with your mated instead.

I must say I am musical and one of my biggest regrets in life is not learning to play the piano.  I would LOVE to be able to do that.

It sounds like you are pretty good so make sure you are sure if you jack it all in.  Good Luck!

Answer 6

It's up to you whether to give up, but you really need to ask yourself some questions:

1. Do you enjoy playing piano? (It doesn't matter how good or rubbish you think you are)

2. Was it your desire to play piano, or your parents?

3. How good are you really? Sightreading is a really difficult skill and it was something I always struggled with. People often think they're rubbish when they're actually very talented because they lack confidence.

4. Why do you want to give up? Is it because of the exams, or is it something else. Maybe a different teacher is the answer (you'll be amazed how a good teacher can really make you enthusiastic and how a not-so-good teacher really put you off)

Music is something to enjoy, the certificates and ABRSM grades are nice too but piano should be a fun skill to have.

Answer 7

look its your life don`t let people decide for you.don`t quit it but just stop playing until your exams finish  

Answer 8

Piano playing, like any music comes from a love within yourself. You've either got it or you haven't and it would appear that you haven't so give it up.

Answer 9

Are the exams the reason you want to give up or an excuse you are using to give up?  Work out the real truth about why you don't want to carry on and tell it.

Answer 10

Trust me you will really regret it if you do! Both myself and many of my friends have had the opportunity to learn an instrument when we were young but gave up because we thought of it as just getting in the way. If you really do have problems with carrying on, maybe have fewer lessons or postpone piano but DON'T GIVE IT UP! What year are you in? Having the skill of playing the piano is much more useful than you think. Once when you give up, you've given up. Eventually you'll forget the piano and the time you've spent so far learning it would have gone to waste. Most importantly it's not fair on yourself.

*Don't worry it's illegal for her to throw a piano at you :)

Answer 11

NO! dont give up-you will regret it when your older-get the exams out of the way at least-its nice to achieve things and have certificates to prove it  

Answer 12

how old are you? if piano is getting in the way of your lessons and exams, your parents should realize, as you do, that piano is interfering with more basic instruction. you can always pick up piano again but can you afford to do poorly on exams? you don't have to quit outright, just take a break from piano for a few months and see how you do. depending on your age, it's your decision. you should be able to have an intelligent conversation with your parents about what you'd like to pursue and what you do not. good luck!