Is it time to stop piano?

[Anonymous]

I always enjoyed having something where I accepted that it was just for fun and I was never going to be great at it. Took the pressure off. I also say that if she enjoys it, keep going, unless it's keeping her from things that she gets more out of

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can a child grow into real musicality?

Well, I'm not sure I could "grow" into real artistry as a painter, but should that stop me from doing art as a hobby?

+1

If your child enjoys piano, why stop? Is the goal to help her become skilled at an instrument she likes, or to turn her into a concert pianist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can a child grow into real musicality?

Well, I'm not sure I could "grow" into real artistry as a painter, but should that stop me from doing art as a hobby?

+1

If your child enjoys piano, why stop? Is the goal to help her become skilled at an instrument she likes, or to turn her into a concert pianist?

+2 if she enjoys it, it is something she can enjoy her whole life. My mother plays piano and guitar. She is not a musician but is technically proficient. We loved singing around the campfire, playing duets, and singing together at the piano. Now she plays songs and sings with my 3 yo. We all love it. Now if your daughter doesn't enjoy playing that's different.

[Anonymous]

OP here. This has been very helpful. I asked because practice does take up time - real time. My child is at the Levine School of Music, and can practice anywhere from 20-45 minutes per day. Its usually somewhere in the middle. But when you add that to homework (and some days there is a lot of that when projects are due) it can feel like a lot. We aren't the family that does tons of activities because DD and DS both need a lot of downtime. So whatever DD does, should make sense. We definitely aren't in piano to make her into a concert pianist but if it just isn't going to come easily (the musicality) then I wondered if it was worth the time and effort. It sounds like most of you think that it is. And yes we don't want to send her the wrong message either that only talented kids should learn music.

[Anonymous]

I would switch away from Levine to a more low-key, recreational teacher.

[Anonymous]

I'm torn. My DS quit piano at age 11, just when 6th grade wrapped up. We joked that he never did well at the jazz compitition, but rocked the technical compititions. Kinda the same thing you mentioned, he wasn't "feeling" the music. he enjoyed piano, but fencing is more important to him and with the increased practices at 7th grade plus homework we decided something had to go. I'd stick it out another year, find a "fun" teacher. You will most likely have to leave piano due to middle school or high school, but you can leave on a happy note.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the comments regarding staying with it and maybe changing teachers. All I wanted to add was to make sure/ask her if she wants to play music that she likes, as well as whatever her piano teacher is choosing for her. Maybe she would bang the hec out of Shake it Off, or wail out True Colors, and certainly might start playing with more emotion when she hits the teen years and everything is angst. If she sticks with it, she'll have the ability and mechanics to play however and whenever the mood strikes her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm torn. My DS quit piano at age 11, just when 6th grade wrapped up. We joked that he never did well at the jazz compitition, but rocked the technical compititions. Kinda the same thing you mentioned, he wasn't "feeling" the music. he enjoyed piano, but fencing is more important to him and with the increased practices at 7th grade plus homework we decided something had to go. I'd stick it out another year, find a "fun" teacher. You will most likely have to leave piano due to middle school or high school, but you can leave on a happy note.

I'm one of the people who said not to quit yet, and I think this is good advice. Another thing to consider is whether she'd like to try another instrument. I did piano all through elementary school, but in middle school I started a second instrument through school. Eventually I switched from piano lessons to lessons for that instrument, which I continued playing recreationally through college. Now, I never play that second instrument, but I'm happy that I can sit down at a piano and sightread something easy.

As someone who values the music education I got as a child, I want to make sure that my kids develop some basic proficiency in at least one instrument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She is enjoying this and practicing. That's what you want. If this teacher has grand plans that won't be achieved, find a different one who understands music as a lifelong hobby.

+1! The ability to play any piano and enjoy music will be a lifelong enjoyment. Who cares about achievement in it?

Another +1 to this. My biggest life regret is quitting piano lessons. My husband and I recently purchased an electric piano so that he can learn and I can get back into it, and it brings such joy to me now. While I retained some skill from years of lessons, I'm nowhere near as good as I used to be. Seriously wish I had kept it up just for fun as a kid!

[Anonymous]

Another vote for a new teacher - we have had both great teachers and ones that aren't great fits and you should find one that suits your child

[Anonymous]

OP here. We don't want to quit Levine, for various reasons. I do love the curriculum and structure, and my child loves it too. But finding the right teacher isn't always easy. Would anyone recommend someone they just loved for their child? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like the "fit" with this teacher is a problem. Most the teachers at Levine are either pretty ambitious and serious for their students, and push competitions/juries constantly which my DD found to quash most joy she got from playing, or very junior/new teachers (there tends to be quite some turnover because teaching at Levine versus in your house results in less pay per pupil). If your child likes to play and wants to continue then start to look for a new teacher, go talk to the department chair at Levine and see if he/she can think of a better fit. If they can not, you need to go outside. Another idea if your child loves music and now has a pretty good musical background (i.e. reading music) would be to consider joining a chorus instead of doing piano. Very social and there are some great children's choirs in town (Children's Chorus of Washington, DC Youth Choir).

[Anonymous]

If she's enjoying it, practices regularly, and isn't asking to stop lessons, I'd let her continue. Maybe talk to the teacher about different music, or try a new teacher.

If she expresses discontent with the piano, you can revisit the issue, and consider a different instrument or a different hobby altogether.

[Anonymous]

Op I answered early on with this, about liking the pieces and the teacher. What I failed to add was I played the piano from age 9 until 17. I went to Music school in New York every weekend. I was by no means a prodigy or indeed one of the best there, but for me it was an outlet which wasn't school. There were other friends to be found through it and if I had experienced a particularly shitty day at school, sitting down to play for an hour sort of rid me of it. ITs worth keeping up if it can in any way improve your child's quality of day to day living.

[Anonymous]

Levine's piano department is not very friendly towards kids (or parents) who just want to play and aren't likely to become competitors. That said it is a good curriculum and I would just not worry about what the teachers think. they can be quite unsupportive of kids they don't think are "serious" but that doesn't mean your child still can't benefit from taking lessons there.

i'd say stick with it if possible.