Should i just give up piano ?

[yie]

Well, I have been learning the piano on and off due to my frequent job hopping that render my unstable income and also the depressive mood of job finding, I often will stop my piano lessons. I self learn during the time I am not learning from any teacher but the process is super slow and my motivation is nil. I feel uninspired all the time and practise the piano just like a chore. So recently I got into a piano school once again because I need someone to push me into proper training again. So I religiously practise my piano every day and I am glad I have regain the motivation. However, while I was practising the exam pieces, I got discouraged once again due to the very slow progress. Everyday I return home after work and find time to sit down to practise after dinner. And then I got this idea that just flash across my mind, why don't I just give up the piano and spend my money elsewhere that can truly bring me joy. I am once again feeling depressed about my piano progress. I am no brilliant fast piano learner. It could be my age and I am already in my 40s. Is my 'senile moments' getting worse ? Sigh.....

[brogers70]

Well, I have been learning the piano on and off due to my frequent job hopping that render my unstable income and also the depressive mood of job finding, I often will stop my piano lessons. I self learn during the time I am not learning from any teacher but the process is super slow and my motivation is nil. I feel uninspired all the time and practise the piano just like a chore. So recently I got into a piano school once again because I need someone to push me into proper training again. So I religiously practise my piano every day and I am glad I have regain the motivation. However, while I was practising the exam pieces, I got discouraged once again due to the very slow progress. Everyday I return home after work and find time to sit down to practise after dinner. And then I got this idea that just flash across my mind, why don't I just give up the piano and spend my money elsewhere that can truly bring me joy. I am once again feeling depressed about my piano progress. I am no brilliant fast piano learner. It could be my age and I am already in my 40s. Is my 'senile moments' getting worse ? Sigh.....

I'd say that if you cannot find a way to enjoy practicing (e.g. setting small, achievable goals, enjoying the easier pieces you are working on; taking pleasure in learning to feel how your body is moving at the piano, or whatever you like) then you might be better of dropping it. I started at 40 and have kept at it for almost 25 years. Certainly I do not make progress as fast as I would have if I'd started at 4 years old, but I can play a lot on interesting music, and I've found ways to make daily practice the highlight of my day.

Still, if you are not enjoying it and cannot find a way to do so, sure, give it up. There are many ways to spend your free time.

[probably blue]

I’m sorry  :'(
For me, I wasn’t motivated to play because I didn’t like my piano and my skill wasn’t great but I wanted to keep learning! I got a new piano when I moved states and I am finally motivated to play. I’m self taught.
I would go without lessons and play for fun. Songs you like, happily play the keyboard! No need to force yourself to practice a certain piece.

[ranjit]

Well, I have been learning the piano on and off due to my frequent job hopping that render my unstable income and also the depressive mood of job finding, I often will stop my piano lessons. I self learn during the time I am not learning from any teacher but the process is super slow and my motivation is nil. I feel uninspired all the time and practise the piano just like a chore. So recently I got into a piano school once again because I need someone to push me into proper training again. So I religiously practise my piano every day and I am glad I have regain the motivation. However, while I was practising the exam pieces, I got discouraged once again due to the very slow progress. Everyday I return home after work and find time to sit down to practise after dinner. And then I got this idea that just flash across my mind, why don't I just give up the piano and spend my money elsewhere that can truly bring me joy. I am once again feeling depressed about my piano progress. I am no brilliant fast piano learner. It could be my age and I am already in my 40s. Is my 'senile moments' getting worse ? Sigh.....

You could probably learn a bunch of easier pieces which are of interest to you. From your description I guess you may be at a level where you could learn a grade 4 piece pretty fast to at least a basic standard.

Alternatively, you could develop some tangential skills. Improvising and playing piano covers, I find, has a very interesting effect on your piano playing as it strengthens the connection between your mind's ear and the keyboard. This aids piano progress.

But by all means, change something. For me, in that kind of situation, being able to improvise is the biggest thing, as when I feel very stressed I don't practice but instead wallow in my frustration with solipsistic improvisation. I suppose it also helps upkeep my technique although I hesitate to think of it that way.

[Bob]

I did read all the posts, but I would find a piece you like.  I think Bernhard was right about that. 

I've also heard of doing lessons every other week instead of weekly, for budget reasons.  Esp. if a teacher gets two students doing that and they slot in on alternate weeks, the teacher won't care.  It's the same block of time on their schedule.

[keypeg]

Ok, but this is the same person who in April complained about his/her adult students?  I'm quite confused.

[crajojo]

If you don't enjoy it then yeah maybe you should. Personally, I find playing/practicing helps with depression and I take great joy in it so if you don't get the juice from it, it could benefit you to find something that you does enrich your life.

[bernadette60614]

I'm going to be philosophical to start:

Something which we've been educated to believe is that we have to have a goal --we learn this to get that, and then we learn this, to get that.

I think piano is something you learn because you want to have a relationship with music which extends to making music.

So I don't think whether or not you should continue learning piano should be measured by "what is my progress" so much as it is:  Am I continuing to develop a relationship with music by playing this instrument?

Perhaps that relationship could be listening to music, attending concerts, noodling around after work when you have time, but it doesn't have to be a 'goal".

[lousyplayer]

I piano doesn´t give you any joy, why do it in the first place?

I love piano, I have a job and very little time to practice nowadays, but for me it is a very stimulating activity, dont need any type of motivation. For you its different, I suppose. Try to enroll in some sports or reading or amateur theatre and be happy!

[leigh anne]

If you really feel that playing piano is a chore, give it up. However I think that you could still change your view in playing piano. Why don't you try interviewing pianists and ask them what made them play piano? Or why don't you listen to amazing piexes and songs? That might lift you up. I beleive that you started playing piano for a reason, and you spend money for it. If you think you learn slow and should just give up, think why you bought your piano. Think why you work hard for money and spend it all in piano classes and stuff. Go back to where you have been. You should make your own decision. You are the one who knows how you feel about music. But if you are gonna ask my advice, don't give up. There is still time.

-Leigh

[wankimx3]

Well, I have been learning the piano on and off due to my frequent job hopping that render my unstable income and also the depressive mood of job finding, I often will stop my piano lessons. I self learn during the time I am not learning from any teacher but the process is super slow and my motivation is nil. I feel uninspired all the time and practise the piano just like a chore. So recently I got into a piano school once again because I need someone to push me into proper training again. So I religiously practise my piano every day and I am glad I have regain the motivation. However, while I was practising the exam pieces, I got discouraged once again due to the very slow progress. Everyday I return home after work and find time to sit down to practise after dinner. And then I got this idea that just flash across my mind, why don't I just give up the piano and spend my money elsewhere that can truly bring me joy. I am once again feeling depressed about my piano progress. I am no brilliant fast piano learner. It could be my age and I am already in my 40s. Is my 'senile moments' getting worse ? Sigh.....

Well...I think you shouldn't quit. Based on my experience with piano for 12 years, I personally feel that we shouldn't quit just because it's hard. Trust me, I know. I quit piano at Grade 4 temporarily because I felt practicing piano is like a chore. However after one year, I feel that I shouldn't quit. When my parents asked me to think twice whether I wanna continue piano again, I hesitated but decided to continue till now. I'm now beyond Grade 8 and studying in music college. Tbh, I still feel that I'm still not too passionate about piano, coz it's hardwork 😅 but I really wanna change my pov and really try to cultivate my interest with piano and classical music. Now I'm still looking for answers. But please, don't quit. You may regret it. Maybe find something about piano that sparks your interest. I'm still looking for it because I really want to be more passionate about music~

[fignewton]

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling depressed about your piano progress. Everyone learns a different speeds, so I wouldn't let that get you down. I think the point is just to play pieces that you enjoy and to take pleasure in the small improvements from day to day. Maybe also try to analyze which parts of your practicing feel like a chore and see if you can change them in a way that makes it more interesting. It is possible that your practice habits are inefficient which would cause practicing to feel like a chore and hinder progress.