should i give up once and for all...for good???

[piano_vs_science]

i've been stuck on level 1 for 6 years!!! probably cuz i've only practiced once every 5 months for the last 5 years and it's starting to get EXTREMELY annoying
i am now 12 and i find playing für elise like trying to do calculus subconsciously with my fingers

do you think i should stop wasting my time with something i'm not good at
or just suck it up and wait for it to get better

what do i do???

[piano_vs_science]

 

[pianowolfi]

If you only practice once in 5 months you have already given up, I'd say.

[austinarg]

Well, if you don't like it there's not much you can do about it. But maybe what you need to do is to listen to new things. I was like you some time ago, until I discovered Liszt's Trascendental Etudes and told myself "I want to play like that too", and now I work towards that goal each day 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Like what pianowolfi said, you have already given up.

Unless your problem is that you can only get to a piano once every five months.

[thalbergmad]

Like what pianowolfi said, you have already given up.

Perhaps it is difficult to give up something that you have not really started.

Thal

[pts1]

I agree with the others who note that you've already given up on something you haven't really started.

Playing classical piano is one of the most difficult things that exists, depending on what you're playing. All of it involves learning skills for which there is no short cut nor which makes it a "once in a while venture".

To attain a professional level technique, I think it can be done with a minium of 3 hours per day consistenly, say 6 days a week.

To attain a pretty good amateur technique, I'd say an hour a day at minimum which will leave you playing easier classics such as Fur Elise and perhaps a little more advanced... maybe some easy Chopin or Schumann, or Bach pieces, etc.

One hour a day will NEVER see you playing virtuoso repetoire, so if that's what you're thinking you should disabuse yourself of this fantasy.

From where you are, if you wish to START learning to play, an hour a day would be a fantastic improvement which would let you understand what is in store for you.

But first you need to dispel any notions that this is easy and there is a "quick" way of attaining the skills necessary to play at even a good beginner level.

What you're saying is similar to saying you want to be a medical doctor but you only want to study once every 5 months.

[Bob]

Just get a different teacher.  Find some music you like to play.  That type of direction.

[ted]

But do you really love making piano music ? Playing and learning just to prove something seems to me a pointless endeavour. As Bob says, what about other forms of piano music ? Classical music is an option, a choice, not a compulsory prerequisite to playing an instrument.

[revanyoda777]

If you don't have a passion for it, then your not going to get very far. It seems to me like you need inspiration, and I'm probably not the person qualified to give it. however, I suggest playing what you like, and if you truly have passion for the pieces, it should get you through the difficulties.

[piano_vs_science]

Well, if you don't like it there's not much you can do about it. But maybe what you need to do is to listen to new things. I was like you some time ago, until I discovered Liszt's Trascendental Etudes and told myself "I want to play like that too", and now I work towards that goal each day 

at least you didn't have to start on level 1.........lucky you

oh forget about levels!!!
i'll just practice 1 hour a day everyday and suck it up

[austinarg]

at least you didn't have to start on level 1.........lucky you

oh forget about levels!!!
i'll just practice 1 hour a day everyday and suck it up

What do you mean "start on level 1"? Do you think I am the next Mozart?

When I started to play the piano, I was as bad as everyone in this forum when they started. Time and work made me play better.

And please, if you don't like playing the piano, don't say "play 1 hour everyday and suck it up", because you make it sound like playing the piano was disgusting, when in fact, it was one of the best decisions I've made in my entire life. If you don't like it, then don't play.

[j_menz]

at least you didn't have to start on level 1.........lucky you

Hate to disillusion you, but absolutely everyone started at level one. Me, everybody in this forum and every famous pianist you've ever heard of.

And the only way to get beyond it is hard work.  The only luck is in having the opportunity to do that.

[piano_vs_science]

Hate to disillusion you, but absolutely everyone started at level one. Me, everybody in this forum and every famous pianist you've ever heard of.

you started when you were 6 right???
but i start when i'm twelve!!!
most people would say that's sad...

actually...
  starting piano when you're 6 is too mainstream
so i started when i'm 12

[rachmaninoff_forever]

you started when you were 6 right???
but i start when i'm twelve!!!
most people would say that's sad...

actually...
  starting piano when you're 6 is too mainstream
so i started when i'm 12

You said that you have been at level 1 for six years and you're not 12.  So you "started" when you were six too.

[piano_vs_science]

oh never mind i'm 6 years behind
how do i catch up and how long will it take???
_{i don't care if it's a few years or decades or even centuries i just want to catch up}

[rachchopin]

Wow. 6 years in level 1, that is something... If it is something that you really like, then no, you shouldn't give up. The answer to your question shouldn't be based on other people's opinions. The fact that you barely practice seems that you have already given up. its really up to you in the end. Ask yourself.. "Do i really want to keep playing the piano?" or " Should I just quit?" Think of what will make you happy. Besides, if you really REALLY like the piano, you would give time to practice and won't let yourself be stuck in level 1 for all those years.

[jesc]

You said that you have been at level 1 for six years and you're not 12.  So you "started" when you were six too.

you started when you were 6 right???
but i start when i'm twelve!!!
most people would say that's sad...

actually...
  starting piano when you're 6 is too mainstream
so i started when i'm 12

okay this may seem obvious to some but I think I have to point it out.

jesc as "captain obvious"

he started at twelve (level 1 at twelve), stuck for 6 years at level 1. 12+6=18. He's supposed to be 18. I wish the rest of his post add up the same way. I mean, I'm asking myself, who's his teacher for those six years? Where's that trollspray enrique used? We need that just to make sure... then we can proceed with much more confidence.

[piano_vs_science]

i didn't have a teacher for 6 years

[pts1]

You should quit now.

Having shown yourself, you simply don't have what it takes.

[pianowolfi]

i didn't have a teacher for 6 years

mine too
but i'm only 12

So you have not had a teacher since you were 6, right?

[piano_vs_science]

yes

[williampiano]

So you have not had a teacher since you were 6, right?

yes

So, I am guessing you've been self taught for the passed six years, correct? If that's the case, then it is probably best for you to begin working with a teacher, because it's essential to have one if you want to learn to play well.

probably cuz i've only practiced once every 5 months for the last 5 years and it's starting to get EXTREMELY annoying

There is absolutely no way you can expect to improve if you practice only once every 5 months.

[j_menz]

you started when you were 6 right???

No. I was 14. The only thing it prevented me doing was becoming a child prodigy.

*wonders if second childhood counts* 

[piano_vs_science]

*wonders if second childhood counts*

at least you play better than me

so...yeah...it definitely counts

[db05]

Perhaps it is difficult to give up something that you have not really started.

Thal

I agree with Thal on this one. It's not quitting if you've not started. What you've done is to consider piano. I'm not saying this is a bad thing. I do that a lot of the time. I consider doing it, I consider not doing it.

It's NOT quitting. And besides, there's no such thing as quitting really. Life goes on and time passes and voila! Suddenly that piano is staring you in the face "PLAY ME" lol... or it's like a New Year's Resolution. It never gets done. Get it?

So, I am guessing you've been self taught for the passed six years, correct? If that's the case, then it is probably best for you to begin working with a teacher, because it's essential to have one if you want to learn to play well.

There is absolutely no way you can expect to improve if you practice only once every 5 months.

True. True.

I'm taking this seriously because I really did "quit" piano and come back. Could be that you've developed a sort of piano phobia. Nothing to fear, just take baby steps.

If you practiced only once every 5 months before, try practicing every month.

If you were disorganized before, now write about your practice.

If you're frustrated with grade one pieces, what would you prefer to play?

If you didn't have a teacher before, you should consider it too. But it's better to figure out what you want before spending on lessons.

What else is holding you back?

[piano_vs_science]

Asian parents

[db05]

Asian parents

Consider yourself lucky. Some cool pianists are Asians. But maybe you meant your folks are stingy...?

CC Chang is Asian too, come to think of it. You like science right? He's the scientist grandpa who wrote the book on piano practice. It's pretty technical but the science part might appeal to you.

[amelialw]

to be frank if you have been at level 1 for the past 6 years you haven't 'started' yet...and if you only practice once in 5 month that shows that you have no perseverance at all and there's no point. you can't just play well by 'sucking it up& practicing an hour a day', that attitude doesn't work& will not work at all! if you practice just because you have to it's as good as not practicing at all.

all of us were at level 1 before....I started when i was really young but was forced to start from level 1 by my mom when i took private lessons at the age of 7.

Honestly you need a teacher; the basics are very important, i cannot emphasize that enough since I never had a good foundation due to the teacher then.

[piano_vs_science]

actually the truth is I like complicated pieces cuz they sound more interesting and I wanna play them but I find the basic stuff like level 1 pieces too boring and I have to practice them when I really want to practice things like chopsticks

[mhoffman89]

Discipline is one of the most important things. If you can't discipline yourself to play easy music and work your way up, it's going to be almost impossible to jump from level 1 pieces to playing Beethoven or Prokofiev sonatas. it's never too late until you're dead, but if you really want to get to a certain place in piano playing, you have to ask yourself "how am I going to get there?" And unfortunately the answers going to be harsh, there's a tremendous amount of sacrifice, mentally, physically and socially. One has to actually change their whole attitude. So ask yourself if your willing to sacrifice so much to achieve that ability, and then decide. If any pianist says he didn't have to sacrifice much to be great, they're lying to you.

[amelialw]

actually the truth is I like complicated pieces cuz they sound more interesting and I wanna play them but I find the basic stuff like level 1 pieces too boring and I have to practice them when I really want to practice things like chopsticks

honestly if this is your mindset you won't go far.....all of us had to go through that 'boring' time so don't complain...... even at an advanced level now, there are times like now when my teachers request that i just work on the basics: simple things like Czerny& Haydn and focus solely on them; it can be dull& after awhile it can get boring but still i do it because at the end of the day i know that I must persevere in order to become a better pianist. In other words it's for my own good. I could always choose to do things my own way, learnt more 'interesting' pieces but I'm not doing that.

i rest my case now because if you ultimately had the perseverance& determination to make it through.........

[jeani]

I had the problem in learning piano that certain piano lesson series as well as the pieces in them were much more difficult and seemed boring to me than others.  I didn't know that at the time,.  I thought all lessons were equal.  When I got older, i realized that there were piano lesson series that were interesting, fun and which were compatible with my strengths and interests.  For example, I enjoyed playing chords and didn't enjoy thin, one note pieces (readiing music, sharps and flats, were very hard for me)  So, when I got older, I started over and discovered some lesson books that I liked.  My favorite series included the Faber books that had the "Big Time" series, like Big Time Classics, Rock, Christmas etc. music on different levels.  If you can appreciate the importance of a good beginning... start again at square one and make slow, steady progress, you may get to enjoy the simple pleasure of playing the easier piano pieces... enjoy it at any level and it will enhance your life.

[wildman]

Hey, relax a bit, play the music that you like and, if you can, find a teacher that can help you do that (not even necessarily a formal training teacher, but in fact anyone who knows how to play the instrument at a sufficient level).That's how I did it; help the mentor play your favorite pieces and if you have eagerness to advance seriously, do it with enthusiasm and patience.

[piano_vs_science]

So I should tell my teacher???
No way... If my dad finds out I kinda wanna be a pianist
my life is over...
telling Asian parents you like playing piano is like a DEATH WISH