HELP: Not allowed to listen/play music

[ladymia]

Right now, I'm living with my very abusive/religious biological parents but I'm leaving soon to a woman's shelter than to a University dorm. I live in Canada but because of my parent's religious beliefs, I wasn't able to take any music in Elementary School, High School and also University (High School prerequisites are required). I’m not allowed to listen or play any music at home but I still secretly listen to music. Learning how to play the piano was a dream of mine ever since I was a child. I always wanted to play jazz music and maybe later become a jazz pianist but I believe this isn’t possible based on how late I am and also because of my situation. I will be broke when I get into University (because I’m leaving my biological parents) so I will be living off of scholarships, welfare and also help from the Woman’s Shelter. I will be living in dorm rooms and money will be difficult so I can’t buy a piano but maybe a keyboard or a digital piano that is under $1000. The main issue is that I can’t afford lessons and I don’t know what type of piano/keyboard I should buy.  Is it possible for me to learn by myself?
By the way, I found this digital piano and I believe I’m able to afford:
Yamaha P85 88-Key Digital Piano
https://www.myebizreviews.com/Top5ProductReviews/StagePianos-Top5/StagePianoYamahaP85.htm

I need some help and guidance!

[soitainly]

 The P-85 would be nice as a learning instrument if you can afford it. My brother has one, it plays and sounds fine. Sorry to hear about your awkward family situation, hopefully you can overcome it. There is enough information on the internet and from books to get started playing music. I would concentrate on your studies at university and life in general first, once you get a good job you can afoord lessons. Also, most universities allow you to audit classes, you don't get credit but you learn the same things.

[bbush]

Hello, Ladymia!

Don't despair!  If you're soon off to school and - more importantly - out on your own and in control of your life, you will soon have a wonderful world open up to you!  You can take piano lessons as part of your University education.  Generally, if you pay the fees to be a full-time student, the "extra" music classes beyond your major requirements will not increase your expenses, or not much.

And that Yamaha is an excellent choice as a starter piano for two reasons:  it has a weighted key action that is very like a real grand (much better than playing even an acoustic upright) and it has a headphone jack, so you can play without disturbing sleeping or studying roommates.

Best Wishes,
Bruce

[ladymia]

Thank you for the positive comments. I'm going to save my pennies for that piano and also try to talk with the University gidance councillor, see if she can do something about this situation. Thanks again 

[ongaku_oniko]

I have never heard of such a religion; mind giving a name?

[ladymia]

I have never heard of such a religion; mind giving a name?

My parents are religious Muslims and in Islam, Music is considered as a sin. This is based on how music influences someone and also how they believe that Satan's favorite noises is Music so they stay away from it. It mentions it in the Quran and also other Islamic books from scholars but there are some people that don't simiply follow the rule.

[i_am_joey_jo]

I'd say most don't as all the music coming out of Pakistan, Persia and Arabia in general.  Then if you consider all the traditional music instruments from that area...  It seems that your parents have gone overboard on the religious train. 

Doesn't it seem strange to you that a God would create all these tools knowing that the Devil would co-opt them against man?  What good is a system like this when you already know the outcome, it's like playing a game of Risk knowing you will win and how - what is the point?

[emill]

I can not by any stretch of my imagination even if I were Islam
consider listening to Handel's Messiah a sin!! 

Well ... Muslims are divided regarding this issue and you can find arguments
on both sides of the fence, but it seems that there is NOTHING in the
Koran which unequivocally mentions music as a sin.  Words like "idle talk"
are given extended interpretation as music by certain Islamic branches.

Here is an interesting article...  Music is not forbidden in Islam
https://www.submission.org/music.html

[ongaku_oniko]

Wow I never knew that.

But the point here isn't whether islam is the "true" religion, or whether islam bans music; the point is that lady's parents do believe that music is a sin, so we need to find a way for her to enjoy music

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

Everyone else basically said what I wanted to say... I would focus on life and studying first, if money is tight. It won't ever be too late to learn piano... especially seeing that you are so passionate about music Oh and apparently many universities have pianos that you can practise on...
I'm sorry to hear what you had to go through and about your family .. just wanted to wish you well... and welcome to Pianostreet!

[birba]

Interesting note:  It seems there are more jazz musicians who have converted to islam then not!  Very very strange.
https://www.jazzdiscography.com/fitzgera/muslim.htm

[amie_de_chopin]

Don't despair!

I have a history of abuse too (although for different reasons), and actually never felt like learning while at home because I didn't want my mother to listen to me. Besides, she never gave me any privacy.

So I started after I left home and I love it!
Have you looked at Craig's List for a start? I've heard sometimes they even give away pianos for free, although I suppose you would have to pay for freight and possibly a first tuning. Some people have found good bargains there.

Good luck!

[rmbarbosa]

No life without music; no music without love; no love without God.
This is what I do feel, so I cant understand your parents.
Best wishes.
Rui

[amie_de_chopin]

For me it is just the opposite. If anything, I find my way to God through music. Without music life would be so dull.

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

For me it is just the opposite. If anything, I find my way to God through music. Without music life would be so dull.

The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. ~ JS Bach

[sspiano]

I am sorry about your problem but I am a religious Muslim and it is not mentioned anywhere in the Quran. It might be something cultural but music as long as its not used for harmful purposes, there is nothing wrong with it.

My parents are religious as well and they enrolled me in music classes which I quit but am learning again. I wish you luck.

My parents are religious Muslims and in Islam, Music is considered as a sin. This is based on how music influences someone and also how they believe that Satan's favorite noises is Music so they stay away from it. It mentions it in the Quran and also other Islamic books from scholars but there are some people that don't simiply follow the rule.

[bleicher]

I find your determination to play music despite all the odds really inspiring. I can't imagine how hard it must be for you. You are very brave. Best of luck with everything and do let us know how you get on. When it gets hard come to Pianostreet and we'll be here to listen and encourage you.

[iainhol]

I am not sure if music is different - but in other hobbies I have enjoyed if someone shows a little interest and the community helps them out. When I owned horses I used to give a number of underprivileged kids horse riding lessons for free, in aviation we would always take enthusiastic people for a ride. I would be quite disappointed if at University there wasn't a piano enthusiast who would take you under their wing and get you going.

[gep]

What perplexes me is that parents/people who do not allow their children/anyone else to study or enjoy music (or any other form of art) apparently believe that God/Allah/Fillinyourown first endows someone with a (great) talent, and then does not want that talent to be used.

So, ladymia, I do not know if you are (as yet) in a position to (safely) ask this, but you might want to ask your parents the question: "If Allah decided to give me the talent of music, who are you to tell me to negate that gift?! If you believe in Allah('s wisdom), you must believe that he is wiser that you!".

I hope you prevail, and may enjoy your talents for a long time to come!

All best,
gep

[lostinidlewonder]

hmmm. Not allowed to listen/play music but allowed to use the internet? Riiiiiighhhhhttttttttt.

[gep]

hmmm. Not allowed to listen/play music but allowed to use the internet? Riiiiiighhhhhttttttttt.

A Dutch fundamentalist Christian party is bang against TV (being "Satan's puppetshow"), but all for Internet, even has it's own website (which is closed on Sundays, of course).
Moreover, perhaps Ladymia isn't allowed Internet (or even a computer) at where she lives, but this doesn't mean she doesn't have access to the Internet (such as on school, at work, at a friend's place, etc.)
Lastly, religious rules are not always exactly logical, or do not pertain to everybody the same way (such as "these rules are for you, but not for me if nobody watches!")

all best,
gep

[lostinidlewonder]

A Dutch fundamentalist Christian party is bang against TV (being "Satan's puppetshow"), but all for Internet, even has it's own website (which is closed on Sundays, of course).

You can be against something but most people with marginalized strong beliefs usually have a particular very logical reason for why they avoid something, not just a macroscopic blind fear. Your Dutch fundamentalist might in fact enjoy certain TV viewing but be shocked by certain content. I wonder what shocking content there is about piano playing, you don't even need to say any words while playing so how can you be disgracing anyone unless you live back in the dark ages and believe music that is not religious is the work of the devil.

Music with words certain can be responded to much more sensitively compared to instrumental music. The words themselves can be interpreted in certain ways which can be quite uncomfortable for certain people religious or otherwise. But being offended by instrumental music?

Moreover, perhaps Ladymia isn't allowed Internet (or even a computer) at where she lives, but this doesn't mean she doesn't have access to the Internet (such as on school, at work, at a friend's place, etc.)

If she can have access to the internet away from family then I am sure that she can have access to music away from the family without going through extreme measures.

Lastly, religious rules are not always exactly logical, or do not pertain to everybody the same way (such as "these rules are for you, but not for me if nobody watches!")

I wouldn't even start to guess whether the religious rule in action in this thread is logical or not, I don't think we know the family well enough or the situation in detail to really make an inference.



The story just overall sounds very melodramatic. Someone who is going into a shelter to run away from family because they don't let her play music and are overly religious? I mean how religious can they be in Canada? I am sure they don't beat you in public like they might do in Pakistan. If the family problems cause you so much pain I am sure there is more than the musical oppression that makes you want to abandon your own flesh and blood. What are your parents arguments for not letting you play piano music that has no lyrics attached to them?

[bleicher]

Don't be so surprised. Plenty of young people in all countries and cultures have abusive parents.

[roseli]

Sorry for the creepy islam choice of your parents. Any religion turns out weird when people gets fundamentalist.
I have the yamaha you are looking at, it's pretty cool for poor people like us :p of the low quality keyboards it's one of the best.
If you want I can send you the pieces I learned when I started, they don't have an author, but are easy for the hand and good to the hear.

[floydcramerfan]

This story makes me want to cry.  And regarding that Dutch group, I did hear a preacher on Youtube who said that all TV is from the devil, even the Andy Griffeth show for Pete's sakes!!!  I obviously don't follow after this dude, but I just listen to him because the stuff he comes out with is hillarious.  All the fundamental Baptists, which he says he is, all laugh at him and don't want to claim him.  He also believes the only music a person should have in their life should be what they sing or play and only hymns.  He even says classical is a sin.  There are a lot of weird people in this world.

[nickmeads]

I find this funny how you're in such a tight spot for money and you'd rather drop 600-900 dollars on something you can't use very well instead of buying a 49-key or 61-key keyboard for much cheaper and more portable option.

Even a midi controller for $150-200 with a free piano VST would be a smarter option...

https://cgi.ebay.com/M-Audio-Keystation-61es-61-Key-USB-MIDI-Controller-/200612784263?pt=Keyboards_MIDI&hash=item2eb5742887

https://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-PSR295-61-Key-Touch-Sensitive-Piano-Keyboard-/390320742273?pt=Keyboards_MIDI&hash=item5ae0eddf81

 

[dcstudio]

wow, what a story... it's not too late.  Learning jazz is different than learning classical and if that is what you want to learn I suggest you find a teacher who teaches this genre.  I play both classical and jazz--it is MUCH easier to learn jazz first--then classical.  Many here will disagree because they don't believe you can play without playing classical piano.  Not true in my book. Classical piano is taught in a way that seriously inhibits your ability to learn jazz.  If you begin by learning to improvise it will be easy--not incredibly uncomfortable and foreign like it is to most (not all, by any means) classically trained pianists.  I was classically trained for 18 years, and making the leap to jazz was unbelievably difficult for me.     but I did it