I have been playing the piano for 2 years and 24 days and I am doing my grade 5 next month. My piano teacher then wants to s kip me to grade 7. am I having a disadvantage by going through them so quickly

Why does your piano teacher want you to skip so much?

Don't know, not being big-headed but I do practice 6-7 hours of a weekend and every grade I can have all pieces complete in about a week

Did you tell your teacher how much pressure this would put on you, that it would be nearly impossible?

I don't mind piano is my life

Then apparently you will not have any disadvantage by going through them so quickly. What disadvantage would there be (besides stress)?

Not getting all of the techiques in that you need

Well, you should have been taught most of the techniques and have them firm in your head (and fingers) by now. All you are doing is trying them out and making them more perfect. Right?

Have you played Chopin etudes? Bach's Goldberg Variations?

I am learning chopins revolutionary etude and op 10 no 4 which is really hard

Good -- those two pieces are good ways to practice techniques.

What's your favorite piece to play?

What's your most hated piece to play? Why do you hate it?

My favourite piece is the valse op 69 no 2 by chopin because of its simplicity but effectiveness how can you hate a piece that is played on the most delightful instrument in the world

I wondered about hating because of the techniques involved -- too aggravating to play. Good answer, though!

Can you play "by ear" -- meaning, play anything without looking at the printed music?

Can you improvise? Have you tried jazz piano?

Jazz piano, in my opinion, is not what a piano is used for, I use the saxophone, oboe, flute and clarinet for that and no I am appalling at playing by ear by can improvise

Hmmm, some pianists do well at jazz piano -- Nina Simone, for instance. My piano teacher never allowed me to experiment with anything other than classical or church music. I was one-dimensional. I did not play other instruments, though.

It sounds like music is your life. How old are you and in which country do you live?

I am 15 years and 4 days to be specific and I liv ein the uk. I have been playing since 2 days after my 13th birthday :)