Should i quit piano

Piano lessons are also one of the only extra curricular activities that require children to take responsibility on their own at home. With most sports you are simply required show up and practice or play a game. Piano is different in that it requires a sense of self-discipline to continue the learning at home, and it can be hard for kids to see the benefits of developing this self-discipline of which there are many.

I admire your desire to not make this a dreaded activity, because music should ultimately be an expression of joy.

However, as with learning any new skill there are times when what we are learning is more difficult. If we let children quit when things get tough, then they lose those opportunities to prove to themselves that they can do it; that they can work through an obstacle and come out on the other side better than they were before.

These benefits are the main reason I run my music studio and started it in the first place. We were happy to hear back that this particular parent re-registered their child! Mission accomplished. Having motivating and varied music is key to keeping your piano students interested and excited.

PianoBookClub can help! Your response to the parent was very well-thought out and written so eloquently. You put into words what is the true experience of a child who pretty much lives in the moment and does not think long term. Hi Michelle — so glad to hear this! Not many people have their livelihood dependent on the whims of an 8 year old. Thanks for commenting! I love it! One question, though. Any thoughts on that? Any other ideas? Hi Melissa — Kris just left you some ideas in a comment below that are spot-on.

I said some of these very things at a recent recital. There were several non-piano students there, and I wanted to let them know how hard these students worked, how some will quit before they should, how they all go through those peaks and valleys.

I saw knowing looks from the piano students and even had a mom come talk to me later about it. For expample, would the child like it better if a parent were present while the child is practicing? Can you offer fun rewards, like going for a bike ride together right after practice? Parents can also help motivate a child by engaging in an activity that requires commitment themselves: knitters can knit while their child practices.

Even writers or non-writers with a lot of correspondence to catch up on can share the space and be company for their child. And, best of all, how about learning piano yourself and making duets with your child part of the fun? Really really great points Kris. Thanks so much for sharing. Doing duets with Mom or Dad… well that would just be the ultimate to any child! Andrea, this post is wonderful.

I love the letter. Kris, thank you for the suggestions. I myself used to have knitting time or baking time when my kids were practicing. I have never actually suggested this to my parents, although I do talk to them about things to holler back from the kitchen. Very helpful! Usually though, I just get an email and text now, so sorry will not be taking any more lessons. The texting people, I tell them you need to talk to me and I will not accept a quit by text.

After 8 weeks, it was time for more books. I saw the mom and kids just 2 days before their lessons and told them how excited I was for Tuesday lessons.

No more word or contact from the family. That was a substantial loss for me. But I have seen over the 40 plus years that I have been teaching that there may be embarrassment over the fact that they are stopping lessons. I do appreciate a phone call or an e mail in advance. How much will you like it in the future? What do you imagine when you think of playing the piano in five years? What do you think it would be like to play whatever music you wanted? What would it be like to be able to accompany others, or to sit down at any piano and have a spontaneous dance party, or to play in a grand hall, or to be a YouTube sensation?

How much do you think you will like piano in 10 years? As you answer these questions, decide how it makes you feel. Does it make you stand firm in your dislike, that you never liked it and that you never will? Or does it make you remember just how much satisfaction it can bring sometimes and how much you would enjoy your ability to play well in the future? Answering the questions above and taking a close look at your goals for your future can be very motivating. Sometimes we need to get a glimpse of what future piano playing looks like.

Attend a concert or turn on some amazing piano playing YouTube videos. Maybe you need some new music to work on. Something your really want to be able to sit down and play. Schedule a performance. Playing for others, or for a recording, is definitely motivating and give you a deadline for mastering that music! Two major deciding factors of if you should quit piano are the amount of time and money you have at your disposal.

This is the 2 biggest factor for deciding if you should quit piano. Piano takes time. It takes time to attend your lessons. It takes time to practice.

A lot of time. And time, no matter who you are, is a commodity that nobody can get more of. You must decide if the time it takes to play piano is valuable to you. You certainly have many other demands on your time. What is your priority? Just minutes a day can and does make a difference! You can continue to gain skills in piano if you carefully practice, even for just a few minutes a day! Naturally, the more time you put into piano, the more piano can do for you.

Make sure you are playing smart as well and choosing wisely how you use your time at the piano. Piano lessons take money. I am sure you are well aware of this! If money is a factor, then decide how satisfied you are spending your money on lessons now. Are your lessons what you expect them to be? Do you feel that the money you spend on your lessons is well spent? If not, there are other ways to continue to take lessons that may not be as expensive.

On the other hand, it may be worth investing a little more to get the teacher resources that would work better for you. One of the BEST, fail-proof ways to get more time to practice piano is to set a time every day that works well for your schedule and stick to it! What I mean by that is, decide when and how long you are practicing and then do it. Just do it without even thinking! If money is an issue, take a look at all of your options. Do you realize how many free online resources there are to learning piano?

Buy into a program if you need to. Or find a teacher that charges less. Many teachers are willing to swap services. I have several students that I have swapped with over the years. We have swapped for babysitting, house cleaning, meals, essential oils, bread, and eggs.

Get creative! I am sure there is a way to figure it out. This should be the next big factor in your decision of if you should quit piano lessons. Did you ever quit piano yourself as a teen? Or almost quit? Tell me what it was like in the comments below. What made a difference for you to return to playing?

I hope some of these tips will help spark an idea the next time you have a teen on the rocks in lessons. Check out our Teen Course in membership and let us help you further. Tim Topham is the founder and director of TopMusic. Tim hosts the popular TopCast show , blogs regularly at topmusic. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Is it just me or is it getting harder to stop teens quitting piano lessons? Not even 30 minutes on the weekend? So how do you motivate teens?