Getting bored while practicing

[shubertimproviz]

I am 13 and I practice 3-4 hours a day. A month ago I practiced 5-6 hours a day. Some pieces that I study like Haydn's Sonata hob.XVI/no.20; Mendelssohn's 'Agitation'; Czerny etudes op.740 no.1, no.2, no.3; etc, I have many months that I practice them and when I study them I get really bored. I also study: Mozart Sonata no.13; Bach WTC I- prelude and fugue no.1; Sibelius Impromptu op.97 no.5; Chopin Preludes op.28 no.4, no.6, no.7. I want to play more advanced program like Chopin's Nocturnes or Ballades(I love them), Liszt's any concert etude or piece(I have never played Liszt before but I have listened many of his pieces), but I can't....
My teacher says that some pieces like Czerny's etudes op.740 are advanced or Bach's Preludes and Fugues (I have played PF no.9-WTC I, now I play PF- WTC I, no.1). I think that the art schools of my country haven't got piano programs like the other countries that are more advanced.
I am sad because in September- October I will compete to enter in a conservatory.
What should I do?

[starstruck5]

Be thankful you can practice -not everyone can -in the UK we have some really babaric laws if anyone complains!

It sounds though as if you need some new pieces to study -nothing stopping you playing pieces you love -

[hfmadopter]

I am 13 and I practice 3-4 hours a day. A month ago I practiced 5-6 hours a day. Some pieces that I study like Haydn's Sonata hob.XVI/no.20; Mendelssohn's 'Agitation'; Czerny etudes op.740 no.1, no.2, no.3; etc, I have many months that I practice them and when I study them I get really bored. I also study: Mozart Sonata no. 13 1st mvt; Bach WTC I- prelude and fugue no.1; Sibelius Impromptu op.97 no.5; Chopin Preludes op.28 no.4, no.6, no.7. I want to play more advanced program like Chopin's Nocturnes or Ballades(I love them), Liszt's any concert etude or piece(I have never played Liszt before but I have listened many of his pieces), but I can't....
My teacher says that some pieces like Czerny's etudes op.740 are advanced or Bach's Preludes and Fugues (I have played PF no.9-WTC I, now I play PF- WTC I, no.1). I think that the art schools of my country haven't got piano programs like the other countries that are more advanced.
I am sad because in September- October I will compete to enter in a conservatory.
What should I do?

I would think that preparing pieces for a competition should end the boredom. I know when I was studying with a teacher and it came time to prepare for a work shop or recital it took a lot of time and energy. I would think that right now you would be working the pieces up for the competition. Seems to me it would make sense to be bored after the competition rather than before. But we are all different in our own way !

[shubertimproviz]

Actually, to enter in this competition firstly I should hand in a CV. Then, they will choose who will compete. I don't have to play my program, they will give the contestants what pieces to play, and then we have one month to prepare them.(if I enter)

[percy88]

I'm no expert, but I think we could agree that the problem are the pieces you are playing.

Learning something you don't like is sooo boring, i can't stand it either, I play for my enjoyment and pleasure, so what would be the point of not playing something you can enjoy??

If you are preparing the pieces for the exam or competition there aren't many choices, but you should talk to your teacher about what you'd rather play, or even pick some of then and try to learn with the other pieces.

[qpalqpal]

I'm no expert, but I think we could agree that the problem are the pieces

+1
I think you have a LOT of pieces in your hands. I don't know at all, but if I had that many at the same time, I wouldn't have time to appreciate each one evenly and therefore would get bored\uninterested. Pick 1-2 pieces that are difficult, your level, and 2-5 that are simpler and that you can get done quickly. Make sure the hard ones at least one you can enjoy.

 Again, I am very un experienced, but it's logical what I said

[lloyd_cdb]

Pick 1-2 pieces that are difficult, your level, and 2-5 that are simpler and that you can get done quickly. Make sure the hard ones at least one you can enjoy.

This is exactly what I do.  A couple hard pieces to keep your musical interest, and a few easier pieces give you self-confidence/satisfaction as well as faith in the learning process.

I want to play more advanced program like Chopin's Nocturnes or Ballades(I love them), Liszt's any concert etude or piece(I have never played Liszt before but I have listened many of his pieces), but I can't....

You CAN if you want to.  Just let your teacher know you feel like you need more of a challenge and less 'busy work'.  Based on the pieces you mention, I would hold off on any of the Liszt you mentioned as well as the Chopin Ballades.  The pieces you mentioned are all very precise and about clarity, so I would say your teacher wants you to develop proper technique before jumping into the romantic repetoire and getting overly focused on expression.  Start with some of the easier nocturnes, 02, 06, 19, 20, 21. I recommend #20, it's musically satisfying and has technical similarities to some of the pieces you mentioned.

Lastly, I caution jumping from easier repetoire to drastically harder repetoire (i.e. Liszt concert etudes) simply because it can quickly erode confidence and discourage you.  I've been there, and it's not fun.