I am 11 years old. I play the piano. I am really stubborn and I don't know why! I love and hate playing piano. It is a very bi-polar relationship. I think my problem is the piano but my parents will not let me quit. I really need help. The piano is tearing my life apart!! I don't feel like I am a good kid!! I am trying hard but it is not hard enough. Please help me! What should I do?

Sometimes parents insist on a musical instrument because learning it builds character. What is your parents' reason for the piano? I must say that it is a wonderful endeavour.

They say that if I quit I will regret it later in life

They say that if i quit i will regret it later in life

They could be right.

I went through the same thing, but stuck with it all the way into college. I have never been sorry and would have hated myself later for quitting. I learned so much about music theory and various composers and songs -- information that came in handy later. The piano is a very good musical instrument to know how to play (88 keys, sharps and flats, triads, clefs, key signatures, note values, etc.), plus it's good discipline to spend time on it practicing for your next lesson. What I regret is not doing more with playing improv (creating my own chords and key changes and riffs -- and also playing modern stuff, not just etudes and pieces from classical composers).

Here's a fun YouTube video, a song in 7/4 time (note how the piano leads) --

Jon Lord - Unsquare Dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WrK0UrqyE0)

Here's another one --

The Five Piano Guys - What Makes You Beautiful (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VqTwnAuHws)

My parents insisted on things they claimed 'I would regret later in life' when I grew up I still knew they weren't right about regrets but looking back I don't see that I was any the worse off in the long run. Ask them if you can just take some type of scheduled breaks from it because its causing resentment that you can not play for the love of playing

I know they are right but it just doesn't seem fair

I know they are right but it just doesnt seem fair
Do a positive spin. What benefits will there be?

Do a positive spin. What benefits will there be?

Well I will know how to play piano and music theory helps with math. I just can't find enough discipline to sit down and do it. It always turns into a fight. :(

:@

Well i will know how to play piano and music theory helps with math. I just can't find enough discipline to sit down and do it. it always turns into a fight. :(
Make it an appointment at the piano, an hour at a certain time every day or evening. Start by playing something you can do well even if it's "Heart and Soul" or "Twinkle,Twinkle." Add variations to limber up your fingers. Then do a few scales -- start slow and then go faster.

If you were assigned a piece for your next lesson, begin working on that. Play only part of it until it sounds good. The next practice time, work on a different section.

What is your current assignment?

Make it an appointment at the piano, an hour at a certain time every day or evening. Start out by playing something you can do well even if it's "Heart and Soul" or "Twinkle,Twinkle." Add variations to limber up your fingers. Then do a few scales -- start slow and then go faster.

If you were assigned a piece for your next lesson, begin working on that. Play only part of it until it sounds good. The next practice time, work on a different section.

What is your current assignment?

Master 5 major scales from my scale book then learn 2 new pieces!! I'm doomed :(

I have to perfect 5 major scales that I haven't played in a while and I have to learn two new pieces. Ahhhhhh

master 5 major scales from my scale book then learn 2 new pieces!!!! im doomed :(
Which pieces? When is your next lesson?

I like playing around on the piano and composing my own things but I don't want to be told what to do :(

I need to learn prelude and study in d my next lesson is this staurday. I really want to immpress my teacher and my parents! I'm tired of him calling me lazy

i need to learn prelude and study in d my next lesson is this staurday. i really want to immpress my teacher and my parents! im tired of him calling me lazy
Have you practiced at all since the last lesson?

I have tried really hard

I learned part of both of the pieces I need to learn. I also tried perfecting the scales but its really hard :(

i learned part of both of the pieces i need to learn. i also tried perfecting the scales but its really hard :(
It's like learning the times tables -- repeat, repeat, repeat and practice, practice, practice.

Now, get off the computer and go to the piano! You're wasting time!

I'm not at home!! I don't have a piano right now!! By the way do you know the ABRSM? That's the program I take for piano. I just finished grade 4 but I'm going into grade 5.

I promise as soon as I get home I will practice away! :D

I learned part of the piece

im not at home!!!! i dont have a piano right now!!! btw do you know the ABRSM? thats the program i take for piano. i just finished grade 4 but im going into grade 5.
No, I'm not familiar with that one. I took a program called John Thompson. I have all my music books and sheet music fifty years later. :)

I looked up ABRSM -- very good series.

Sorry didn't mean to send that again :p

i learned part of the piece
Pretend I am sitting on your shoulder and cheering you on, tapping my foot in time to the music.

Yep royal school of music! They expect a lot! That is why I'm really against the piano

yep royal school of music! they expect a lot! that is why im really against the piano
It means you will be really good if you stick with it. Don't be a quitter. Then every time you don't like something or feel bored or stressed, you will want to quit, and that's no good.

Do you have any good tips on practicing fast but good? I have a busy schedule but I'm supposed to practice every day

do you have any good tips on practicing fast but good? i have a busy schedual but im supposed to practice every day
What else do you have to do?

If I were you, I would set aside one hour per day to practice piano.

Definitely do not be a quitter. One thing I learned in life is when you don't really want to deal with something take it as a challenge, conquer it and then make it your own. Learn your lesson and think what can I do with what I learned. Next thing you know you could be a great composer

Wondergirl, you're a wonder.

I sure hope Anna takes your advice and carries on regardless. I have a suspicion she's at a fork in the road and she will do the right thing.

Do you even know what "Bi Polar" means?

Do you even know what "Bi Polar" means??

Yes I do.

Yes i do.
Remember when you practice, I will be tapping my foot on your shoulder.

There is no "fast" way to practice, good practice takes time and more time. Also some people learn faster than others. I took lessons for over 12 years, in latter years from some of the best teachers in area. There were points in my childhood, I hated to play, but when you are older you will be glad they made you keep going. It will be worth it.

Not every teacher or teaching style is right for every student, that is something that parent, child and teacher have to decide

The patience and discipline, and coping skills that's needed to learning to play the piano now will be a great help to you in many ways as you get older. You will need those skills later in other areas of life so see these practice sessions on the piano now as a key to opening doors of opportunities later.

The patience and discipline, and coping skills that's needed to learning to play the piano now will be a great help to you in many ways as you get older. You will need those skills later in other areas of life so see these practice sessions on the piano now as a key to opening doors of opportunities later.
Exactly -- and like I said earlier, if she quits this, it will be easier to quit the next time she doesn't want to put the effort into something and that will make it even easier to quit the next thing, and so on.

I am happy to say that I have done everything you said and my parents are proud of me so far! I want to thank you all!! I will keep trying my hardest to do a good job! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

I want to really thank wondergirl because you have been truly a wonder! Thank you SO much!! From the bottom of my heart!

i want to really thank wondergirl because you have been truly a wonder! thank you SO much!!! from the bottom of my heart!
You're very welcome, Annabeth. And Happy 4th to you too. (I will be thinking of you -- and tap-tap-tapping).