Finally Giving Up Piano

[starstruck5]

That's it -I have closed my keyboard -put away my scores -said goodbye to the keys forever.

So this is goodbye to PianoStreet also.

Don't know yet what I am going to do instead -Anything but piano I guess.

[davidjosepha]

uh, why?

[pts1]

Well, Good for you!

The piano is an excellent thing to give up

The classical music world is chocked full of snobs, pedants, wannabes, critics, and so on.

Somewhere along the line the music is gets lost in a competitive no holds barred
freak show, free for all.

And unless you are able to utterly and totally tune all this out, even as it chases you down, then the pure notion of musical enjoyment is very tough indeed.

Also, unless you have quite a lot of talent, then it is almost a hopeless pursuit, that is, unless you can honestly and truly do it for the love of it.

Talent, of course, only opens the door of possibilities that remain closed to those who don't have it, and for those who possess it, piano is a never-ending work in what has become a brutally competitive field. Can you say "Asian"?

Even as a "hobby" it leaves a great deal to be desired. Its not unlike golf, in that people take up the "sport" only to find that its a miserable pursuit if they are of average ability, and that it requires a good deal of practice to even get down the fairway without losing a dozen balls. Not at all the "dream hobby" they thought it would be.

I think perhaps the people happiest with classical music are the ones who know little or nothing about it, can't play an instrument, have no idea what's involved, and simply enjoy going to concerts or turning on their radios or CDs.

Good luck.

PS

DON'T take up golf.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Why?

[ajspiano]

Well isn't this a depressing thread..

As far as pts's comments, I rather think the only pursuit in life that doesn't have its snobs, critics and general difficulties is perhaps failing to pursue anything. Which is depressing in itself.

I also agree, golf is not a good option. Maybe that's just me, - I'm terrible at golf.

I also remember several times, when I was younger, having wanted to give up on the piano - it never worked though. I can take breaks, but I've come to accept that the reality is that I'm drawn to the piano (or perhaps just music generally) and whatever frustrations may go a long with that..

If I was to take up any alternative pursuit..    ...  table tennis, I like table tennis.

[perprocrastinate]

Go to violin- the second greatest instrument next to piano, at least, in my opinion.

Or are you done with the hassles of 'the instrument' altogether?

[fleetfingers]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

Starstruck, I am sad to read that you're leaving!!! I truly hope that you'll change your mind and come back. At least return to this thread and discuss why you have chosen to give up piano. Maybe then we'll be able to talk you out of it?? You have an obvious love for music and can articulate well what it is you hear and feel as you play or listen. Your posts are ones that I always look forward to reading.

[49410enrique]

im way cool with it if you are happier because of it. that is, (if he/you read this at all, pehaps gone means gone and we are respoding to a thread that won't be read by the OP), will you replace it with soemthing that truely fulfills you and brings you joy that you can passionately pursue and enrich your life and the life of others. if so, then best of luck and be happy.

if you're just fed up with our instrument and pursing the rep? hmmm, i think i quit piano about 4 times per week in frustration.....

[maczip]

... sometimes I get really happy about feeling having played just one bar perfectly...
this might be sufficient

[thalbergmad]

Sell the piano and buy a banjo.

You will be a lot happier.

Thal

[roseamelia]

Why do you want to quit?

pts1: You are some what wrong mixed in with right but the whole classical world of music aren't snobs or wannabes their just following there dreams. And they have a right to follow their dream and may get there, it takes alot of time to do these things.

Hope I didn't sound rude to you just wanted to say something about it.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

pts1: You are some what wrong mixed in with right but the whole classical world of music aren't snobs or wannabes their just following there dreams.

Everything has snobs!  Golf snobs, Chess snobs, surf snobs, Jass snobs etc...

But we don't even know for sure if Starstruck actually plays classical music.  Maybe he's a Jazz or pop musician? 

Since Starstruck hasn't given us a reason, we can't assume it's because of classical snobs.

[pianowolfi]

That's sad starstruck! I hope you will have just a creative break and then come back to piano!

[emill]

I am honestly sad about starstruck's decision, but I am sure he must have gone through a lot of thinking about it before plunging into the decision to leave the piano and pianostreet. Maybe he feels it is for the good.  oh well .... hope you find your happiness in something else soon.  Best wishes and thanks for your nice comments and encouragement.

[asuhayda]

you'll be back... once you realize that there is nothing in the world that is harder to do... you'll be back.

[kittysoftpaws]

I agree with ajs . . . this is a very sobering thread.

Although you leave us wondering why you made this decision, I'm sure that you have your reasons for leaving. Maybe you should think about trying another instrument, something different, like the guitar. If your throwing in the towel on music altogether, maybe pick up something less eclectic, and more visual and lively, like gardening.

We wish you well on your journey to find something new, and we'll be waiting here in case you ever decide to come back.

[rangerx]

I a friend of mine decided to go back to drumming about a year ago , the reason, he missed it, well he just passed away, so the thought here why give up something thats in your blood only to find out you where a fool, maybe you'll come back ,and not to late after all music is a passion

[starstruck5]

Wow -I didn't expect much response to my decision to quit at all -curiosity bought me back to check!

I want most of all to be a world class composer like Einaudi or Tierson -if I go near the piano I improvise and start to compose -but I never finish anything for some reason -I have the skill set and understanding -I can even write away from the keyboard -but for some reason developing my ideas well, is a massive struggle -I keep hitting a brick wall -and the fact I need to be a professional is heaping too much pressure on me, probably -Since I have evil intolerant neighbours -I would love to  earn money to get away from them -but it is never going to happen -also because I am a carer I am tired much of the time and stressed out. Wish I could just play the piano for fun and be happy with that -but I haven't been able to -

Playing the piano itself is not a struggle for me -I am not up to the big virtuoso pieces like the Liszt Ballades for example -but I have been making progress with the Appassionata -yet music itself has become a massive source of frustration for me -It just seems like its best to call it a day and do something else.

One idea I had was to become a constant Diabelli type and send out my themes for composers to write variations on -lol

Won't be taking up the Banjo or gardening or table tennis though!

Thanks so much to everybody who responded with so much supportive and positve kindness -and humour in some cases!

[pianowolfi]

I seriously think it's time to switch gears down a bit, and don't have so high expectations on yourself, and don't set your goals that high, for the moment and, yes, just play for fun, for now! The rest will fall into place.

[chopin2015]

Sometimes you simply must make one choice. You either drink and hang out with friends in your spare time, or you lock yourself away and work hard at this( I've never been too good at sight reading when drunk). You gotta learn to understand that it might be that nothing is ever truly finished. I think each nocturne could have been a ballade. Each ballade-a concerto...whatever. You gotta learn how to deal with yourself right. What do you have to loose? Why this all or nothing attitude?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I want most of all to be a world class composer like Einaudi or Tierson

I'll be expecting a signed edition of your first sonata at my doorstep eventually.

[starstruck5]

Sometimes you simply must make one choice. You either drink and hang out with friends in your spare time, or you lock yourself away and work hard at this( I've never been too good at sight reading when drunk). You gotta learn to understand that it might be that nothing is ever truly finished. I think each nocturne could have been a ballade. Each ballade-a concerto...whatever. You gotta learn how to deal with yourself right. What do you have to loose? Why this all or nothing attitude?

All or nothing because of evil neighbours -

What you say about pieces unfinished is very true -if you think about it Philip Glass, is like one long piece with different shades -as is the music of Bach certainly -the Mozart Sonatas -Chopin Studies/Preludes -I guess it is called style.

I had a chat with someone last night who is musically gifted -and he suggested that the best way to develop a piece when you need a new section and have no inspiration - -is to explore rhythmic ideas first, or harmonic ideas -I will give that a go -so you guys may have not heard the last of me yet! 

[chopin2015]

I used to live in an apartment and it was always really hard(i am 20 years old) when adults my age who do not understand how much work and dedication piano takes, a guy once walked by my balcony, stopped and started booing. I got up to kick his #@@ and he was gone. I could hear through the walls, I could hear them, they hear me...So I used a digi keyboard with headphones and had piano time at a near by church, they had a 9 ft steinway.

[fleetfingers]

-so you guys may have not heard the last of me yet! 

Awesome news. 

[davidjosepha]

-so you guys may have not heard the last of me yet! 

Well, we all knew you'd be back, but I didn't realize it'd be that quick!

[perprocrastinate]

I used to live in an apartment and it was always really hard(i am 20 years old) when adults my age who do not understand how much work and dedication piano takes, a guy once walked by my balcony, stopped and started booing. I got up to kick his #@@ and he was gone. I could hear through the walls, I could hear them, they hear me...So I used a digi keyboard with headphones and had piano time at a near by church, they had a 9 ft steinway.

What a jerk. You should invite him over then demonstrate how to play a simple C major scale up and down one octave. Ask him to replicate the action. Start booing as he miserably fails.

[ajspiano]

I used to live in an apartment and it was always really hard(i am 20 years old) when adults my age who do not understand how much work and dedication piano takes, a guy once walked by my balcony, stopped and started booing. I got up to kick his #@@ and he was gone. I could hear through the walls, I could hear them, they hear me...So I used a digi keyboard with headphones and had piano time at a near by church, they had a 9 ft steinway.

This makes me feel somewhat lucky to have a neighbour that complains if I play too little.. despite the ever present repetition.

[littletune]

Oh Starstruck you don't really want to give up!  I hope everything will be ok! I mean you know we both have horrible neighbours and you said to me I should never give up! So you shouldn't either!!

[roseamelia]

@ Littletune: Very True!

[philfribbit]

My goodness, WHY?

[starstruck5]

Well, we all knew you'd be back, but I didn't realize it'd be that quick!

Blame Chopin2015 -what was said inspired me -I still haven't finished some pieces I would love to finish -but I am not taking myself seriously anymore -I would rather have a home next to mean spirited jerks than be homeless I suppose -

Thanks once again to all those who responded -I really appreciate it -

@LittleTune  Thanks for your kind words also -well I haven't given up yet -I even played my DP without headphones yesterday -I am tired of being bullied.

[chopin2015]

One thing I really learnt over the years is that with every piece, you actually improve your approach and the way you learn. It is ok to not finish a piece and then return to it once you are more prepared. Everybody does this, especially composers! Glad to hear you are back!! Or should I say Bach!!!