How to make my dad appreciate classical pieces/composers?

[fermata_88]

I always played modern/pop songs before and my dad wanted me to play the songs that he like. Then when I started my piano major, of course we always play classical, romantic and so on. Every time I practice at home, my dad always says to play pop songs yet  I started to go deep into classical pieces and show passion about it. It really bothers me because I can't concentrate when I'm practicing and he just want me to play modern songs.  I told him to appreciate classical pieces too but it just didn't work.

[aewanko]

play some virtuostic showpieces

[ryanyee]

just dont bother about him

[danny elfboy]

Tell him to let you practice in piece but don't expect to convert him.
Imagine something you don't like or hate and imagine if someone tried to make you appreciate it. Would you like the attempt and would it work?

We shouldn't start from the premise that music is beautiful, that classical music is the best and that everyone must love it in the exact same way that we don't expect eveyone to like whatever hobby or sport. I hate hunting and no one would have success trying to make me appreciate hunting not even if he wrote in a hunter-forum asking other hunters how to make me appreciate it.

[rc]

I believe that if something is good in some way that I could enjoy it too, if I really want to.  I may think videogames are a waste of time, but when I find myself a friends birthday party and they're busting out the games it's more important for me to have fun than make my silly point, and I'll be damned if I didn't have a great time!

Likewise, I feel that if people could get over the fact that classical music is old they would probably be able to enjoy it quite a bit, because it's just good stuff.  The same goes for any style, if we can just get into the particular aesthetic perspective we can enjoy it too.  I don't expect anyone to run off and buy a piano or start a Beethoven CD collection, but in the moment if they can get over their obstacles, they could enjoy it to some degree. If they want.

Practical advice: since people are generally predisposed to like what's familiar, if you start with something like fur elise or some other ridiculously famous piece, people will like it.

Also to play good.  It doesn't matter how well a piece is written if it's being played badly, and consider that it might be trying for your dad to have to hear you practice day after day.  I'm not trying to put you down or anything, but I know that I would have troubles having to listen to somebody else practice all the time.

[fermata_88]

it made me laugh when he said "i want modern songs, i want avril lavign, i want enrique eglesias, i want evanescence blah blahh.

yeah i played fur elise once and he seemed to like it. I guess it bothers him that i always keep practicing my classical pieces that my piano teacher wanted me to practice over this summer and not my dad's favorite songs.

[tds]

try to play really convincingly

i know u play well, but any chance to play better?  ;D 

[slobone]

"You're paying good money for my lessons, and you don't want me to play what my teacher told me to play?"

Tell him to leave you alone when you're practicing. Then when you're done, play him a couple of the pieces he likes.

[chopinfan_22]

You could just say what I say when my older sister or dad tries to do that with me.

"Shut up. I'm trying to practice."

[pelajarpiano]

It's funny. Usually our  parents don't like modern song, but ur father different.
Well, maybe it's caused he familiar with modern song so he like it. If you make him familiar with classic pieces, maybe he will like too. Before you try to make classical music popular at your father's ear, ask yourself "Why i want to play classic than modern song that i have learned before?". answer it, and you will know how to make your father appreciate classic pieces. ^^