Unmotivated because I'm playing pieces I don't enjoy

[aprilshowers]

Hey everyone! I'm currently a piano student in highschool, I've been studying for about 3 years now. I've been taking this exam every year since I've been playing that requires me to play within a certain repertoire and do specific technique along with sight reading and music theory. I don't mind much doing the technique and theory and stuff but one thing that definitely makes music feel like a chore for me, is the pieces I have to play. Last year and the year before were okay, and I even noticed when I was preparing for a recital and wws playing something i loved, i practiced for hours on it happily! But this year I had to pick pieces I honestly don't enjoy playing. I've been in the longest slump I've ever been in and I'm thinking the reason is because I don't actually enjoy the pieces I'm playing. But these exams have definitely helped me improve, and next year when I take it I have the chance to perform for some people at a convention which I really like to do but it wouldn't even be a piece I like to play. I'm just unsure if I should skip the exam for this year and just play the music I love or if I should push through and try to get back on track. I'm just asking for some words of advice if anyone could give me some. I'd really appreciate it.

[klavieronin]

I can definitely sympathise. Choosing the right repertoire was very important for me when I was doing exams and I always made the most progress when I was learning pieces I loved. I know exams are helpful to motivate some students. Personally I never needed the extra motivation. I just did the exams because I wanted the certificates. I think if you’re the kind of person that really loves music and is motivated to practice solely on the strength of your interest in music then there’s no harm in skipping the exams. I actually went straight from 5th grade to 8th grade just so I could get to the repertoire I really wanted to play (but it did take well over a year to prepare for that exam).
Hope that helps.

[ranjit]

Agreed, what you need to develop are skills. It's simply unnecessary in most cases to play pieces you really dislike,  because someone out there is sure to have composed some pieces at a similar level of difficulty which are much more palatable. Every song won't be one you love,  but I wouldn't ever pick a piece I really disliked.

[lostinidlewonder]

It is important to communicate with your teacher that certain pieces are not "interesting" to you. Exams have a wide range of repetoire that can be used so there shouldn't be a case where you dislike everything you play. Don't feel afraid to tell your teacher you have more of a specfic taste for music, especially at the higher grade levels were you will pour even more hours on single works. Even with pieces you initiallly dislike surely you can find some kind of joy playing them? That is what I always looked for when I had to play works I wouldn't necessarily choose.