how do you know when enough is enough

[pianoplayer51]

I spend a lot of time dedicated to my piano.  When is it time to say I have reached this level and now I am going to stop and make time for other things.    Learning piano is quite a time consuming thing and I have to plan my life around it and it is merely a hobby.

Some people I know do not get or understand my dedication.

[sondheimfan]

If you are only interested in pursuing it as a hobby, then enough is enough when you decide to move onto other interests. Nothing wrong with that, and if you are able to get some pleasure out of it by going back and playing later on, even better!

That said, many people I have come across say that they wish they had continued working on the piano - so even if you find a few pieces you enjoy and spend a little bit of time on them, it will help keep those skills at a level you are happy with down the road. It doesn't need to be a certain amount of time every day, but just when you want something to do, sit down and make some music!

[quantum]

If piano is a hobby it should be something you want to do, not something you want to get out of doing.  Yes, learning piano is time consuming, but like most hobbies, it is an activity to be enjoyed.  Many people revert to their hobby to get out of doing work or other things. 

Do you take breaks when practicing?  Do you find it difficult to step away from the instrument?  Do you balance piano with any other hobbies? 

[m1469]

True musical experts are capable of recognizing musicianship of unusual depth and character, of which there is never so much in our world to say enough is enough.

[hfmadopter]

Some people I know do not get or understand my dedication.

I was never much on what some people get or don't get about me. About them I think, that's their problem. What you need to decide is if what they think or what you think about your piano is more important. And if you have a goal set where you walk away or take a break then I guess when you meet that goal, then it's time.

To me piano is different than my hobbies, it's more of a study. I've turned hobbies into work in my life, photography I did that with. Wood working is a hobby I get some enjoyment from, mostly clock case building, completed with a mechanical movement. I've sold a few of those but mostly have built them for people at cost. Fly fishing is a hobby and certainly fly tying is a part of that world. Cycling is an exercise but hobby program of mine. Canoeing too. All these things feel different than piano to me. Ya, life long study session I guess with a desired end to produce a certain sound. I don't consider it a hobby, it's a level above hobby on my list of things I enjoy doing. But to you I say that my teacher years ago said it best. If the music is in you then you will never leave it. You will be back and she was correct ! This happens when music moves you, you find it inspiring and suddenly you find that "you must do it", you must come back not walk away from it after all. It's a drawing sensation.  If music is not moving to you, if you are not interacting with it, it's not buried in your heart, it's not drawing you to do more then perhaps now is the time to leave or at least take a break..

[pianoplayer51]

music does move me.   I heard Brahms symphony 4 and it has to be the most beautiful piece of music i have heard in my life.    It makes me cry each time I listen to it.  

I like all the Brahms symphonies and I am now listening to his 5th one.  I am utterly speechless  

Brahms has got to be my favourite composer..  I think he is a BRILLIANT man to have composed such exquisite music.    How I would have loved to have met the man.    The man is pure GENIUS

[outin]

I've never been really good at having hobbies...they tend to take over my life... I don't want to make money out of them, that's what my day job is for, but I tend to invest huge amount of time (and money if needed) into them. My "hobbies" have caused me more stress than my work ever does 

As with any time consuming hobby, playing the piano should be a source of enjoyment in the work done instead of a matter of "reaching a certain level". If you are very young, then maybe you need to take a break from serious study and come back when you find the motivation again.

[awesom_o]

As with any time consuming hobby, playing the piano should be a source of enjoyment in the work done instead of a matter of "reaching a certain level".

Wise words!

The better the work you have done, the more enjoyment will result; both your own enjoyment and that of others.

I think many people are far too concerned with 'levels'.

What level am I at? What level is this piece compared to that piece?

Who cares! Play your very best! Enjoy the journey, rather than allowing yourself to become preoccupied with the destination!

[outin]

What level am I at?

I have concluded that I am level 0. I will be at that level until I can play one piece with absolute perfection (defined by myself). Then I may have risen to level 1 

[awesom_o]

There is no absolute perfection!

The better you can play, the more deeply you will be able to interpret the music. 

[outin]

There is no absolute perfection!

As I said defined by me. Meaning what I can understand at that specific time. If it doesn't happen I'll happily stay level 0

[fore]

I've always loved the sound of the piano, and used to spend hrs wasting time just playing notes that sounded good together as a kid on my moms piano.  I love music, but I'm not a big fan of classical music unfort., and it seems most pieces played are classical.  I hope I'm able to find music that 'moves me', but for now, I'm willing to learn anything that'll help me proceed.

[awesom_o]

Learn how to read music and improvise your own music!

This will open up the doors to just about anything you could possibly wish for!

[mjames]

when your hands/fingers start bleeding

[gregh]

I've always loved the sound of the piano, and used to spend hrs wasting time just playing notes that sounded good together as a kid on my moms piano.  I love music, but I'm not a big fan of classical music unfort., and it seems most pieces played are classical.  I hope I'm able to find music that 'moves me', but for now, I'm willing to learn anything that'll help me proceed.

What music moves you? Decide what you want, then find it--there is some of *everything* for piano, from jazz to country to heavy metal. And if there isn't, a piano has more keys than a guitar has strings, so play it anyway.

[fore]

Good question gregh.  There are some classical pieces I love, Erik Satie - Gymnopédie No.1, Rachmaninoff No.2 I think, most Bach, and I love Beethoven No6 Pastoral as a symphony.  I'm sure there's more, but my interests are a bit wider...I'd love to be able to play Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert, Koln Part I.  Really cool piece.  Thelonious Monk is impressive too.  Some of these are seemingly impossible, but who knows?

[stevenarmstrong]

I think the better we get the more we want. I think if you have to ask when enough is enough, I think you misunderstand the nature of learning the piano - or music generally.

I wouldn't be concerned about levels either: many people, even here, are constantly comparing themselves to others for both humble intentions and not-so-humble intentions. I don't think level and comparisons have anything to do with anything. I think it comes down to what you get out of playing and studying. Maybe, the another thing you can make time for is reading about music: about philosophy (e.g. Parallels and Paradoxes - Said & Barenboim); history (e.g. Rosen's work is a good start); interpretation (e.g. Arrau on Music and Performance - Horowitz; Classical & Romantic Performance Practices 1750-1900 - Brown). I think by doing that you will become very inspired and find enough is unattainable!