New Place to Practice

[tchaiko]

Hi everyone!

To make a long story short, I can't practice piano at home. The only spot to fit my family's piano is in this one room in the middle of the house. Well, my house is really condensed and the walls are very thin, so it makes the piano incredibly loud. Nonetheless, I hate practicing at home, more than anything, really. I feel so uncomfortable and intruded upon. I find practicing so personal and I hate knowing someone is listening to it. My parents cherish every note and make such a big deal about it. They're always like, "Just practice on the piano - it'll become background noise after a while." But I know it won't because it's so loud and "in-your-face". Every time I even think about practicing in front of my parents, I start squirming. When my parents aren't home I practice, and when they come home and hear my practicing and then open the door, I know they've heard me practicing and I start hyperventilating and panicking. So for the past couple of years I've been practicing on a keyboard. But now that I've become more advanced, keyboard playing doesn't work - it's even starting to hurt my hands. I barely practice anymore, and I only practice when my parents aren't home, which is only like three times a week for an hour (my mom works from home).

I'm doing poorly in piano and I know I could be doing so much better and learn so much more if I could practice on a regular piano everyday. I dream of becoming a great pianist, but I know I won't do anything well if I can't practice everyday on a good piano.

I know you're going to say, "Just start practicing on your piano any you and your parents will get used to it." But I know they never will - I've only been playing piano for 6 years, classical for 3, and before now a keyboard has been fine. I'm 17 and I know piano playing in the house is such a foreign matter that they won't get used to it. And I know I will never get used to it. Even if I went to therapy (it's that bad), it won't make it any better. My parent's can leave the house for like three hours a day (I also have a sister, so even if they can she'd yell at me to stop). I cannot practice at home, as it makes me literally sick, so I really need another place to practice, a place that is secluded. I have no idea where to go or where to turn to. Any ideas?

Thank you!!

[j_menz]

Any ideas?

"Just start practicing on your piano any you and your parents will get used to it."

You will. They will. Just buckle down and do it.

[outin]

I'm doing poorly in piano and I know I could be doing so much better and learn so much more if I could practice on a regular piano everyday. I dream of becoming a great pianist, but I know I won't do anything well if I can't practice everyday on a good piano.

Are you only so timid about practicing when someone can hear you, or do you also have trouble playing for people? Great pianists have done countless hours of practice and surely they had to do it in not so nice conditions.

I would say it's very few that have the luxury of practicing in complete solitude all the time, so you just have to learn to do it. I know my neighbours can hear me practice and it does bother me sometimes. But if I don't practice I won't learn.

Maybe you could try to do something about the piano and its environment. There are ways to make it less loud.

[chopin2015]

Just stop caring about what other people think for a bit, relax. Do this practice for your personal enjoyment.

Clear out as much of a space as you can at the back of the house. Make it your area. You can slowly improve on that area over time....find blankets and wall covers (curtains) to cover the area...make it more comfortable and personal. You can do that by spending more time in your practice area to establish your spot...your needs can be met. Maybe not all at once, but you need to practice. 

[hfmadopter]

Here is the deal, We All Practice With Other People Around At Times. You want to get good at playing piano. Well the first step is accepting this fact. Another step along the way will be to play in front of people specifically listening to you.

On top of that you parents of all people are supporting you !!