Feeling discouraged and embarrassed

[cuckoo]

I am trying to relearn some of the songs, in the meantime, trying to learn new pieces.  I am doing it without a teacher.  But sadly the progress has been so slow and I am just so embarrassed to play piano in front of my family.  I think people are sick of those same few songs I am trying to perfect on.  It's just that when you are an adult and not improving too much, it just embarrassing!  sigh!!

[starlady]

You need a teacher!  --s.

[barbg]

Please don't give up, it takes lots of practice & patients but it gets better with time. Keep pressing forward.

[jimbo320]

Cuckoo,
I know the feeling. I've had family members tell me that sometimes my practicing doesn't even sound like a song. It could be quit discouraging if you let it. The solution I use is since I have a keyboard, I use headphones so now nobody but me can hear my playing. Just a suggestion....

Musically, Jimbo

[cuckoo]

Thanks everyone!  Sure will be nice to have a teacher to guide me along but $$$ 
Jimbo320, just curious what kind of keyboard do you use?  Is any keyboard equipped to plugging in with headphones?  Any suggestions of a good one? 

[jimbo320]

Cuckoo,
I play a Yamaha PSR but there's a large selection out there to choose from. All of the electric keyboards that have a built in sound system has headphone capability. Recommending one over another is tough being that everyone's tastes vary. My choice for all around capability, sound, size and price is the one I have. I also use an Alesis Micron with it. If I was looking for better weighted keys and a full 88 key keyboard, I'd choose the Yamaha CP5 hands down. The PSR I have is about a tenth the price of a CP5.
Here's a good site to shop around....https://www.musiciansfriend.com/

Jimbo

[cuckoo]

Great info Jimbo!  I will look into it.

[becky8898]

The discouraging part we have all been there. Its not fun, its frustrating, annoying, bothersome, upsetting, and just a royal pain. But keep pushing and trying. There are gems of pure bliss waiting for you amidst all that hard work. 

As far as being embarrassed, well just remember your not just sitting on your backside, your trying to accomplish something and that you should never be embarrassed about.

Keep at it , and remember anyone who adds music to his  old world of ours  makes it a better  place.

[jimbo320]

You're welcome Cuckoo

Musically, Jimbo

[lostinidlewonder]

Just remember when someone who has never heard you play before listens to you play they will observe a product of many many countless hours of practice and think that you did it without even trying! When I lived at home with my parents they use to always close the doors around me because they where are sick of hearing the same piece for the hundredth time (although now when I visit them they often request pieces I use to practice when I lived at home!)  No matter how well you play hearing a piece over and over again can drive you insane if you are not the person playing. Be happy with  baby steps when improving with a musical instrument and try not to correct too much at once, do one thing at a time, no need to rush.

[cuckoo]

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and encouragments!  I think I better slow down the pace, scale back the difficulties of the pieces and the key truthfully as you all mentioned is persistence!