­

[pies]

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[allchopin]

You've just done what 99.9% of us could never summon the guts to bring ourselves to do

[Bob]

(He'll be back I bet.    )


Pies, why'd you quit?  What are the reasons?

[janice]

Please don't quit.

We all have moments of feeling hopeless.  I feel that way about once a month.  I say "Why don't I just give it up?  I mean, I suck."  So I continue on with these feelings of "I suck", until I start to analyze the big picture and ask myself exactly "WHY" I do this.  I realize that I will never be a concert pianist, and I have realized that and accepted it (I'm not getting any younger!).  So I ask myself why I do this, since I will never be "great".  The key to your happiness in life lies in the answer that you give to that question, IMO.  My answer--I play because a)it is beautiful and this world needs more beauty, b)God gave me this ability, so I feel that it is up to me to develop this to the best of my ability, so that.......c)God will be glorified! This is why I (Janice) do it.

You don't have to agree with my theology, but I think that we probably agree on the fact that this world needs more beauty.

It's time for some self-talk, Pies.  Ask yourself WHY you play.

[pies]

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[xvimbi]

Let's see... every piece I've tried learning I haven't been able to master. I'm awful. I make the dumbest mistakes. My piano is garbage.
Plus I don't have a teacher. I can't afford a teacher.

I think this is the problem. Without a teacher, there is practically no chance to learn something as complicated as playing the piano at a satisfactory level. The fact that you love the music you intend to play indicates that you have high standards. All by yourself, you won't be able to achieve those standards.

I know exactly what you are talking about. Like you, I also love music, but I can't play all the music I'd like to play either. Yet, I won't stop, because for me, it would be much harder to live without playing.

I think you'll get out of this slump if you can find a way - somehow - to take lessons from a teacher who recognizes your difficulties and who can help you overcome them.

Good luck 

[jlh]

I was just noticing the content-generated google ads at the bottom... keywords "I quit", "hopeless", etc. brought a bunch of anti-smoking ads... lol

[Etude]

I was just noticing the content-generated google ads at the bottom... keywords "I quit", "hopeless", etc. brought a bunch of anti-smoking ads... lol

  lol

Stop being so ambiguous then! 

[RappinPhil]

Pies, why can't you afford a teacher? Are you old enough to have a job?

[pies]

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[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

Pies,

Giving up is never an answer to the problem. Sure, we've all had problems, but the key is to keep working at them. First, you need to figure out WHY you failed at learning the pieces that you want to learn. What are they? Why do you feel hopeless? If all else fails, try something else and work your way up to the pieces you really want to play.

I once knew a talented young musician. He had the potential to be a great musician someday. Then, he entered a competition. Now, as you may or may not know, the judges at competitions can be... cruel. When he recieved the judges' comments, he was so damaged by them, that he quit piano and never went back.

Now, he could have been great, but he gave up. He let them influence him. If you feel that you are worthless, you should realize that you might not be giving yourself a fair shot. If you give up, you may be cheating yourself out of the chance of becoming a great musician.

If you wouldn't mind, could you tell us what pieces you were attempting to learn?

[pies]

­

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

All right,

I believe that if you do not give up on yourself, you can learn those pieces. However, if you give up on yourself, you will just become frustrated.

Try taking a break for awhile. Then go back. Working too much on anything usually results in anger. Just take some time away from piano. When you return, I'm sure that you will have a much easier time with those pieces.

I hope I helped.

[Glissando]

Hi pi,
I'm so sorry that you're so frustrated. I know how you feel.
You're 15, I'm 16- I have a little more experience than you so here's some advice.
You can never quit something you love.* You can try, but it'll tear your heart apart. I know from experience. I never tried quitting music (I knew it'd kill me), but I did try quitting something else I love (a sport) and it was total and complete MISERY until I started doing it again.
So please, don't give up. You'll just make yourself more frustrated/depressed than you already are.
You might play through some easier music just to get your confidence back up. That always helps me when I'm down.
Best of luck etc. to you!

*modified to add:
bad habits/addictions not included- they aren't something you *love*, ya know what I mean?

[pies]

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[offenbach]

Pi....

Everyone has moments of discouragment, however the fact that you have a desire to learn, is I feel the most basic necessity for playing. Don't give up....that's too easy. Nothing worthwhile ever came easy. It takes persaverence and determination, but those along with your desire...I'm sure you can do it. The pieces that you are wanting to play, may not be the hardest, but without a teacher, these certainly could be very difficult.

Do you have any friends that play? Do you know any teachers at your school, or in the music departments that play? If so, could they help. Also, I would NEVER refuse helping someone learn for the simple fact they could not pay. I think you may find this true of many teachers. Another thought, is try contacting local music stores that teach piano....you may ask them if there is work you can do in EXCHANGE for lessons. I really do not know ANYONE who would refuse teaching someone with such a desire, simply for the $$$. Churches usually have organists and pianists, keyboardists, etc...possibly someone at your church or church in your area would be willing to help you as well. I think with some guidence that a teacher could offer, you would find that you are not as likely to become discouraged. But that does happen to all of us time to time. The important thing is not to give up, or let it discourage you so much that you give up your dream of trying.
Success is not just in succeeding.....but in giving it your all, and doing your hardest to achieve whatever it is your trying to do. With enough hard work and determination
ANYTHING is possible!!!!

Good Luck!

S

[pies]

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[offenbach]

It may seem farfetched, but fortunately it IS true. Unfortunately, it is alot easier to just believe it's impossible. Again, it IS easier to give up...but do not. If this is something you really feel strongly about, you can make it work.

Why don't you contact some of the music teachers in your area, and explain your situation. Let them know your desire to take lessons, but unable to pay at the moment. Couldn't you do some odd jobs for them or others to balance it out...
1. Mowing lawns
2. Paper route
3. Babysitting  etc?

And no, I don't think it too bold to inquire at a church that you've never been in before about a pianist giving lessons. Churches are usually filled with Christian people who are very welcoming and kind. I think if I wanted it badly enough, I would probably try just about anything. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you look for an excuse hard enough....you can probably find one for just about any suggestion given, but I know these work....I've tried them. Yes, quite a long time ago..but none the less, they do work, and I know others who have as well. I have a little boy who desperately wants lessons at the moment, but has no $$$, he is willing to come to my home. There is no way I would turn this little boy down. If he has a desire and is willing to practice and work hard, I will not refuse to help him. I also KNOW other teachers that do the same.

Take the initiative, call the colleges, possibly there are some music majors that would be willing to help you, in exchange for typing papers, or washing their car, etc.  You may not have a solution by tomorrow, but should eventually work something out.

In the meantime...why not work on several pieces that may not be quite as difficult as what you are wanting to learn at the moment, and possible choose pieces that may better prepare you for these? If you are becoming frustrated on your own, you may want to wait to learn these pieces until you have a teacher, or even try cutting down on the portion you are working on at the moment. Instead of thinking I want to learn all 4 of those pieces...pick one....then take it measure by measure. Don't try and learn to much at once. I truly do sympathize with how you are feeling, but please do not quit. Believe me, it feels alot worse to simply give up on something you truly want, than it does to be faced with discouragement from time to time. I wish you the best of luck. Let us know.


O

[quasimodo]

after a decent amount of contemplation i've decided on what i'm really going to do, which is learn something easier. More specifically, Chopin's Raindrop Prelude.

That's exactly the kind of solution I was about to suggest you, but great, you found it by yourself. You're just in some failure logic and then become depressed.

A few successful pieces and you' ll find back a great motivation. Simpler pieces but beautiful.

[gyzzzmo]

Hi Pi,

When you really arent able to get a teacher, for financial reasons, i can give this advice (i learned myself, without teacher):
- Keep playing etudes. Study melodic etudes, they are much more fun and you dont need the pressure from a teacher.
- You can learn etudes, even chopin etudes if you like, but dont try to play them fast as the mp3's you hear. Start slowly with every etudes and be aware of every single note you create.
- Begin with easy pieces, its too frustrating when you cant play the piece like you heard on mp3's.

Try this, it will be motivating,

Gyzzzmo

[richard w]

You've been given some good advice so far.

First, you mentioned that your practise instrument is not good. Unfortunately, this is probably part of your problem. A good instrument will inspire you and enable your playing to develop better.  If you can find a better instrument to practise on, even if it is only once a week, this should help your progress. Is there an instrument you could use at your school. Or local church (see below)?

You mentioned that there were no pianist teachers at your school. If there are other music teachers you should consult them, be they class teachers or peripatetic. They may well know of someone who would help you, and they might even know of a way your learning could be supported, financially. Explain your problems and see what they suggest.

Regarding churches (a fellow agnostic speaking here), you are not always guaranteed a 'Christian' welcome, so if the first church you try does not yield any results try another. Also, speak to different individuals from the same church. Sometimes the first person you speak to is not the most co-operative. Some churches would give their right eye for a musician who would spend an hour playing (however badly) hymns for them every other week. It is just another option.

Next, if you get nowhere, I'm sure people on this forum will offer as much help as they can. If you can record your playing and post it somewhere (this can be done for free, although creating the file in the first place might not be so easy) I'm sure people will offer constructive criticism. As we can't see your hands it won't be like having a real teacher but you will get some pointers that should help. You could also mention what pieces you feel you can play well, as you might even struggle with the Raindrop Prelude - I think it is easier than the other pieces you tried but it is no walk in the park - I'd hate for you to be heading the same way with your next endeavour.

Finally, the worst thing that can happen is someone will say 'no'. It is easy to be very disheartened by the first rejection, but it does not mean there is no one out there willing to help. I remember the first response I got from a cellist I rang when I was trying to put together an amateur performance of Handel's Messiah. Dread flooded my mind as I realised the enormity of the challenge ahead of me, if everyone reacted this way. Fortunately, I was able to find a number of much more useful contacts who went out of their way to help, and in the end I got together an excellent team of players.


Good luck.



Richard.

[anda]

Try taking a break for awhile. Then go back. Working too much on anything usually results in anger. Just take some time away from piano. When you return, I'm sure that you will have a much easier time with those pieces.

that's exactly what i was going to say! take as much time as you need off, but don't say "i quit". honestly, i really understand what you're going through - i gave up three times! and the last two times i managed to keep my word for quite a long time (2 1/2 years, then 1 1/2 years), and then i realize i can't stay away! don't let the same happen to you, just take a break for a few days/weeks, as you need, and then return to the piano - not necessarily to same/easier program, sometimes it helps if you just change works - and you'll see that it works just fine, even though these new works might be even more difficult than the ones you're having problems with right now.

best luck

[pies]

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[KingVeeGrenadier]

While not a pianist, I can also relate to this topic. I'm a self-taught guitarist from Nowhere, Nowhere. I actually chose to teach myself, just because I'm a stubborn arse and I don't like advice. Having a teacher is a great help, a true instructor all the better. But neither are needed. Yes, having a teacher would have accelerated my growth as a guitarist and allowed me to circumnavigate a great many obstacles. In the end, though, my hell-bent determination and vitriolic hatred of all things popular drove me to an obsessive practice regimine. Finding your modus operandi will get you pretty derned far, teacher or no.

And having a good instrument does help - in some cases, a lot. My first guitar and amplifier were both from the 60s (a testament to tube amps!) and in poor shape. But they were mine. They hindered forward progress, but it was something to practice on. I ascended all the way up to the $1,700 Jackson 'King V' (hence, my name) and I loved it. But my guitar of choice was a two hundred and fifty dollar guitar with a bad fretboard, frayed switch, and bad wiring. It was just more fun and more comfortable to play. The short of it is this: expensive is nice, but fun is better.

And it's good to see that you realized you were jumping (perhaps) a little too far ahead. Being half a fool, I did the same. My error was jumping from run-of-the-mill heavy metal to guitarists such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Romeo and then Paganini's Caprices and Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu. After playing the Impromptu theme twice, I said "Eh, this won't work" and I damn near quit.

I know everyone has already given their own horror stories a thousand times, but if one-thousand and one will get you over the hump (for good), then I could ramble all day.

The meat of the matter is this: I did give up. One day, only a few months ago, I just whimsically decided that I had peaked and would never improve; Ashleigh Simpson's SNL flub also convinced me that music was nothing more than a farce. Two days after that I sold all my guitars (four in total), both my amps, cables, strings, pedals, everything - for about one hundred and fifty bucks. I settled on a cheap acoustic to take up classical guitar and haven't really played since - this after nearly six years to the day of devotion to the guitar. It was one of my worst mistakes. Now, insteading of annoying people with my old shrill, slurred, just plain vulgar improvisations...I sit in my garage, staring at the walls.

So never give up! It sucks.

P.S., Some might say, "Well, that's the guitar. Pianists need an instructor." To that I say this: in my quest to be more classical, I tried my hand at the piano. I am teaching my self a vuglar rendition of Rachmaninoff's Prelude, G Minor - and having to learn how to read sheet music at the same time. I'll never be able to play it properly, nor will it ever even sound good. But who cares, right?

[pianowelsh]

  Don't worry I feel rubbish before I play my first note of the day.... I feel even worse 10 mis later! and sometimes after 5/6 hrs I feel more like slitting my wrists than reaching for my recording of Ashkenazy's Chopin etudes. It wouls seem we all get it - I shouldn't wonder if we all experience it to different degrees but we have to remind ourselves were doing this because we love it!!  Sometimes it's easy to forget especially if your going on a big upward learning curve because you feel all the work your doing is hard and that it sounds garbage but you come through them and usually your playing improves as a result. Pianist's are generally very hard on themselves and piano teachers are even harder on there students. I don't necessarily think that studying without a teacher is a bad thing - certainly it's not worse than studying with a really bad or discouraging teacher!!! . Take some time off handling difficult stuff and just enjoy playing something for fun or even improvising (playing with sounds - can be a really good way to develop your playing level actually). To be successful at the piano is VERY hard because it is so solitary and there is no-one to buck you up when you feel awfull and usually in my experience you feel awfull  - then you go to your lesson and feel more awfull!! (especially when your teachers nearly your age. for a while i studied with a guy who was a 23 year old competition winner - D.E.P.R.E.S.S.I.N.G!!) JUST ENJOY. Really we get far too stressed about music. MUSIC is great but it's not if it's ruining the quality of your life take charge of it and if that means reassessing what you get out of music - ok ! but don't let it rule you. I have a Japanese friend(pianist) who had friends on his piano course who commited suicide over it!!! - It's not worth that. Not even Music

[Brian Healey]

Ask yourself the question:

When was it that you made the transition from enjoying playing music to being depressed by it?

 It's usually right after you defined yourself as a pianist. Think about it, before you ever started playing, it was cool to just plink around on the keys, but now since you're a "pianist", there is a whole new set of standards you're supposed to measure up to. Have you ever toyed around with an instrument you don't usually play? It doesn't matter if you sound bad. I tool around on the drums all the time. I sound horrible, but it's fun, and I'm always smiling when I do it. Why? Probably because I don't define myself as a drummer, so there are no expectations. Just food for thought.

Provolone,
Bri

[Glissando]

Brian,
a lot of your posts lately have been really brilliant.
Keep it up.

[Brian Healey]

Thanks! 

[lagin]

I agree with Brian's thought.  Having expectations of ourselves totally puts the pressure on!  I get stressed out lots, but I have to keep reminding myself that even though playing piano is my passion and my future, it doesn't define who I am.  Pi, you mentioned you were agnostic.  I'm not 100% sure what that means, but I think it means you don't believe in God, right?  That's too bad, because what works for me won't work for you, then.  You see, I find my self-worth in what He (God) thinks of me and in where I stand in His eyes--as His precious child.  I wasn't always of this opinion, though.  I became a Christian when I was ten, and even way after that, I still had to learn that His opinion is what really counts.  I'm still learning!   Anyways, I had an idea.  Churches always have pianists, so why don't you go to one near you and find out who they are.  Then you could phone them and maybe they would give you lessons.  If they aren't 'professional' piano teachers, they might not charge much.  If you explained the situation, they might even start you off for free, until you get a job sometime when you're ready.  If you really want to learn to play, then don't give up.  Remember, you aren't defeated if you fall, however many times that may be.  You're only trully defeated if you don't get up again.

In Him,
Laura

[RappinPhil]

Why would anyone who plays but couple hours a day consider themselves a "pianist"? Pianists are people who dedicate their lives to the instrument. Their manhood, their way of living, is dependant on how well they produce music from the piano. A famous pianist once said his most hated enemy in life was the piano. He was bound to it like a slave. So please, keep the piano in proper prospective -  as a hobby - and you will not wallow in misery when your interpretation does not match up with that of a world famous pianist.  Just a little perspective...

[Cecin_Koot]

Let's see... every piece I've tried learning I haven't been able to master. I'm awful. I make the dumbest mistakes. My piano is garbage.
Plus I don't have a teacher. I can't afford a teacher.


 I feel this way everyday. I listen to bunch of piano mp3s, build up inspiration, and a few minutes into playing it all disintegrates.


I play for pleasure. I'm in love with the music that I try playing. But what's the point after unsuccessfully attempting to master 4 pieces in a row?

is that all it took for you to quit?!  your not very patient arent you.  I'm 14 years old and i have been playing since i was 6.  And I still make stupid mistakes.  You should start with boring easy pieces to start.  the first piece i ever did wasnt a piece, it was 4 C crotchets
 and i was proud of it.  the pieces i am playing today, i have been playing for about 8 months, i practice 4 times in every 5 days for about 50 minutes and the pieces still have a long way to go.  

[pskim]

I once knew a talented young musician. He had the potential to be a great musician someday. Then, he entered a competition. Now, as you may or may not know, the judges at competitions can be... cruel. When he recieved the judges' comments, he was so damaged by them, that he quit piano and never went back.

I know exactly how your friend felt.  When I was about 15, I went to an audition for a master class from a well known Korean pianist and teacher from Boston Conservatory, (or was it university?) and this little Korean lady listened to me play Beethoven's third movement of the Moonlight.  Mind you, I didn't have any teachers because my parents couldn't afford a teacher and I was basically self-taught from reading books, borrowing videos from the library and watching how the famous pianists moved their fingers, and my listening to many many LPs. (for you youngsters, LPs were the larger disk version of the current CDs.)

After the audition, that woman told my father that I had absolutely no talent at all and she said that I should not waste any more time on the piano and should find another hobby.   My father was furious and so was I and also depressed.  But you know what?  I didn't listen to her and I kept playing the piano.  Actually, it was because of her that I practiced even harder and longer than before so that someday I wanted her to see me playing better than her.  Then I went to audition for the music university and got accepted and I had a fantastic teacher who taught me almost everything that I know now.  Her teacher was a diciple of Rudolf Serkin and he also came from New York every year to visit my teacher, who was one of his favorite pupil, and taught us for free!  What a great learning experience that was.  Unfortunately, he passed away a little over one year ago.  His name was Theodore Lettvin.

Anyway, don't give up because you think you are terrible.  I mean, how many of us here on this forum thinks that they are fantastic?  Probably no one.  And if such a person excists, he/she doesn't belong here. 

It's not how fast your fingers can move without mistakes but it's how your fingers bring out your emotions through the sound of the piano.  I'd rather listen to someone play with wrong notes with passion and emotion rather than perfect performance without any feeling.

[one_wing3d_ang3l]

quiting is for the weak. if you dont believe in yourself all the hardwork your putting in is waste. you see pskim believed in himself. i feel like bashing that korean teacher. thinks shes all that!

[lostinidlewonder]

Sometimes it is good to quit for a while, but then come back to it. New perspective, fresh views sometimes good stuff can come from it.

[ted]

Pi:

Looking back to when I was your age I find a number of puzzling aspects about your post. Back then my piano music was an oasis of beauty and rationality in a world of what I perceived as comprising mostly nonsense.  Technically I was pretty mediocre and I had less than average raw musical ability. My piano then was probably worse than yours is now. Yet giving up playing was completely out of the question. Music has always been a source of pure joy, a bulwark against the stupidities and inanities of life.

So then, given roughly the same circumstances, I have to ask myself why you feel the way you do and why I felt the way I did.

I think Brian has more or less put his finger on it. The joy of musical response to sound, even the pleasure of playing just a few chords of your own and allowing yourself to be transported by the sound itself – this simple and deeply fundamental thing has been supplanted by secondary considerations. Issues such as competition, comparing yourself to others, seem to have become overly important. Seen that way, as a fence to be jumped, nothing but a comparative achievement, a musical work loses the very quality which brought it into being in the first place.

I know I shall probably be in hot water with other posters for saying this but never mind. Social interaction, achievement, even professional achievement, comparison, striving, fame, money, the regard of other musicians – these things have nothing to do with the core of musical experience.

Doing all these things can be a very worthy occupation, I am sure. To resort to analogy, a horticulturalist, a rose breeder, a diligent gardener develops a tremendous fund of hard won knowledge about thousands of things, and may become a rich and famous expert who grows acres of roses. But if his wisdom has not flown out the window in the flush of success, he will know perfectly well that what happens when he looks at roses belongs to a different order of perception.

Pi, I think you are mistaking the superstructure for the bedrock. Go back and play the piano as if you were looking at roses. Never lose that feeling. You’re still young; you’ll be all right.

[m1469]

(WOW Ted, what a beautiful post    Thank you)

[pies]

­

[BoliverAllmon]

I won't be all right.
I'm done. My decision is final and solid.

have fun doing whatever else you are going to do

[chopin2256]

You are way too young to be getting upset over not being perfect at the piano.  Sometimes leaving something, and coming back to it later will make you play better temporarily, but the only real way to get better is to know how to practice the piano, in the right way.  Try taking a look at my piano playing tips at my website www.recordhall.com/forum

These tips may help you out    I am a pretty experienced piano player and composer, and all of these tips came from my head and own piano playing experience.

[willcowskitz]

You are way too young to be getting upset over not being perfect at the piano.

Haha no (s)he's at the perfect age just for that!
Also, if he'd decided to quit, then that'd be it. Posting here is another thing.

People have listed numerous good reasons to keep going. If you can't comprehend them... then too bad, nothing we can do but give a hug. Which is probably the real goal of the thread anyway. 

[Sketchee]

Naw Will, there's no perfect age to give up anything just because you're not as good at it as someone else or as you'd want to be.  That would be an awful lesson at any age.  Meeting a goal takes practice, time, open-mindedness and fortitude.  If one decided that they no longer really wanted to meet their goal, it would be for better reasons and if those kind of reasons were given then I think people would feel differently.

Pi: the first thing I thought when I saw your list of pieces was to play something easier!  I'm glad you decided to do that.  Even the greatest pianists still play and perform works that aren't the hardest pieces ever written.  If great virtuosos get joy in performing even the simplest works, then there's something more there than the difficulty of the notes.  If you can find that aspect in the less technical pieces, your other pieces will improve.  I wouldn't suggest playing Hanon, Czerny or such etudes at this point.  Bach, Mozart, Beethoven or even just playing Chopin as cleanly as possible would help.

As a kind I had to practice on a Casio keyboard and I couldn't touch a good piano except for maybe a few minutes at school and even then it wasn't that great of a piano!  When I got to college, I was finally able to play on really nice pianos!  Also, the piano teacher heard me playing Liszt and told me the school offers piano lessons and so I'm still taking lessons with him now.

We couldn't afford piano lessons either.  My mother signed me up for a group class that had the very basics, but it was only a few weeks long.  I asked other pianists I met at school and elsewhere to give me tips.  I remember an exchange student from Norway who I befriended was an amazing pianist.  She told me my fingerings at the time were horrible (Liszt's Lieberstraum No 3) but was otherwise ok.  When I started lessons, my teacher said the same.  After all of these years I broke out of these habits.  This meant dropping some pieces for a while and after I learned a few pieces the "correct" way, I picked them back up with better fingerings and movements.  This was a lot of work though!  You will have to work harder than some who have lessons; however, some people have lessons and don't work at all and you probably are already a better pianist than then.  Just be prepared to learn things many ways and many times.  (That's a skill that all pianists need though.)  The more different types of techniques you have for playing a passage, the more control you will have over it.  Don't be afraid to do things "wrong" sometimes.

You may consider posting an ad on the craiglist.org for your city and say that you can't afford lessons but would like to study with someone.  A new teacher or another student may be willing to tutor you.

[willcowskitz]

Well what I actually meant was that teenage is the most typical age to get frustrated about things in, so I'm not really "shocked" about pi's experience.

[Steve T]

Hey Pi,
There's only one way you can fail, and that's to quit. So long as you keep going, you'll progress at some pace (dependant on your quality of practice, tuition, ability etc).
I'm glad it sounds like you're going to keep on.
You know, the most powerful, unstoppable, immovable thing on earth?....it's making a cast iron decision to do something....I hope you do. And make sure you enjoy the journey, music's for pleasure.
I hear people tell me they tried to play this or that instrument, then give me a hundred reasons why they gave up..."hands too small, fingers too fat, tone deaf, not musical" etc. etc. Fancy life with a pathetic, lame excuses story to tell people. There's no self respect in that.
In the UK our Prince Edward joined up to become a Royal Marine Commando. Now I guess the mud was a bit wet, people shouted at the poor little boy, and it rained on him. He gave up half way through. He is now universally disrespected throughout the British armed forces. Had he have passed (or attempted to pass that course), Pass or fail, but done it all to the best of his ability, and THEN say "you know, this is not for me", he'd have everyones respect.

[Steve T]

I agree with Sketchee, it's great advice for Pi, and others who feel that way.
My teacher has (had) a pupil who's quite wealthy. He went out and bought a Steinway Model D, brand new. I think it must have cost him about £80,000 ($170,000). Two years later he still can't play a C major scale with hands together...you see he doesn't practice. He though the teacher would make him a pianist. The teacher, BTW is absolutely brilliant.

[Chrysalis]

if you can't afford a teacher
try to look for somebody who plays piano too in your neighborhood and ask him/her
Altough i have a student i have a good friend (who is a brill pianist) who tells me useful things also and corrects my mistakes.

And don't quit... Better something then nothing... talk about it with your parents

[Classicalized]

Dear 3.14159,

      I understand and respect the choice that was made.  If something is not right for a person, he or she should not vainly try to stick onto the things that one feels is not mandatory for one's life.

Sincerely,

Classicalized

[tomclear]

  As a teacher who occasionally wonders, What's the use,  does anyone really care,  I found this thread inspiring. 
 
  Also, as someone relocating in June, I wonder what suburb is so desolate
there are no piano teachers.

 Tell me! I will move there, clean up financially, and give you FREE lessons
 for the tip!

 Personally, I'd give up on those pieces and try something easier.
 

[pies]

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[tomclear]

Well, which is worse: Quitting, just never touching the darn thing again,
 or blundering ahead on your own?

 If you liked Scott Joplin, go to the library and get his collected works. 
 Try "Solace."  It's beautiful, not too difficult, and very popular.

  I had a teacher, but she was blind: Mostly she'd recommend things I might like,
or say, "Are you playing that with your THUMB?" but that was about it.

[pies]

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