Is it time to stop piano?

[Anonymous]

DD is 10, and has been playing for a few years. She likes lessons and for the most part practice has not been a struggle. What I've realized this year now that she is more intermediate is that she isn't playing musically. Her teacher is trying to teach her how to shape the phrases and play with expression, but it is a real struggle for her. She tends to play mechanically (and gets all the right notes etc.) Her teacher also mentioned that progress has been slow recently because of this. Has anyone else experienced this and how did it play out? Can a child grow into real musicality? Time is precious for all of us and if she isn't going to get past the mechanical playing, then perhaps it is time to stop and enjoy music in other ways. I'd love to hear from you if you have experience with this.

[Anonymous]

Based on the fact that you said she likes lessons and practices without a struggle, I say she should keep playing. Maybe it's time for a different teacher.

My boyfriend plays piano and has taught all four of the kids. The two oldest (college age) can now sit down at any piano and sort out any current pop song and stumble through any music thrown at them, plus play around making up their own songs for fun. That's a valuable thing to be able to do. The goal was to get them to this point - not to turn them into pianists playing Carnegie.

[Anonymous]

Its possibly that she's not got musicality but it could be other things like the wrong pieces (if there is no emotional connection there won't be wonderful dramatic phrasing), the wrong instrument (maybe she's more a jazz guitarist) or maybe she simply isn't naturally inclined towards music generally.

[Anonymous]

Keep it coming! OP here. DD can shape her phrases but it takes a lot of work on the part of the teacher for this to happen. She can execute quite nicely once she learns what to do with every phrase in a piece. But it does not translate to the next piece at all. And it does come intuitively to her.

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

If she's enjoying it, I'd continue lessons. She didn't have to be a master at it. I'm not great myself but it's brought me lifelong enjoyment to play.

[Anonymous]

She likes it, and she practices. So why would you make her stop?

Now it is possible that she's gone as far as she can go with this teacher, and that she would do better with another teacher with a different approach, or a different focus, or a different something. If I were you, I would ask the teacher what the teacher thinks.

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is 10, and has been playing for a few years. She likes lessons and for the most part practice has not been a struggle. What I've realized this year now that she is more intermediate is that she isn't playing musically. Her teacher is trying to teach her how to shape the phrases and play with expression, but it is a real struggle for her. She tends to play mechanically (and gets all the right notes etc.) Her teacher also mentioned that progress has been slow recently because of this. Has anyone else experienced this and how did it play out? Can a child grow into real musicality? Time is precious for all of us and if she isn't going to get past the mechanical playing, then perhaps it is time to stop and enjoy music in other ways. I'd love to hear from you if you have experience with this.

Time is precious, and therefore should be spent doing things we enjoy. If your daughter is enjoying the piano, please don't take it away from her because she's "not good enough." Think about the message that would send to her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is 10, and has been playing for a few years. She likes lessons and for the most part practice has not been a struggle. What I've realized this year now that she is more intermediate is that she isn't playing musically. Her teacher is trying to teach her how to shape the phrases and play with expression, but it is a real struggle for her. She tends to play mechanically (and gets all the right notes etc.) Her teacher also mentioned that progress has been slow recently because of this. Has anyone else experienced this and how did it play out? Can a child grow into real musicality? Time is precious for all of us and if she isn't going to get past the mechanical playing, then perhaps it is time to stop and enjoy music in other ways. I'd love to hear from you if you have experience with this.

Time is precious, and therefore should be spent doing things we enjoy. If your daughter is enjoying the piano, please don't take it away from her because she's "not good enough." Think about the message that would send to her.

This. Let her enjoy it. Sometimes kids need to master the mechanics before they have room in their brains for playing with expression. If she likes it, she's obviously getting something important out of it. Give her time. Musicianship may come with maturity.

[Anonymous]

My son is 14 and has been playing piano since age 7. It has always been a struggle to get him to practice, etc. But at one point he was able to start selecting music he likes. Once that happened (a couple of years ago), his practices were not as painful. He still plays some pieces mechanically, but others he does with more emotion. I think it depends on the music and whether he likes it. I intend to keep pushing this until he graduates from high school...4 more years!

That being said, his teacher never made this an issue. I am not sure you have the right teacher if she is complaining about this. This is something that comes from the soul, not from instruction.

He still complains when I ask him to practice, and hates to memorize pieces. But when I ask him if he wants to quite, the answer is, "I don't know," which to me means he wants to keep going.

[Anonymous]

Try a different teacher.

[Anonymous]

I think this is where the difference between talent and practice come in. She can practice and perfect the music mechanically but it won't have the feeling or expression without having the actual talent for it. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is where the difference between talent and practice come in. She can practice and perfect the music mechanically but it won't have the feeling or expression without having the actual talent for it. Sorry.

OP, don't listen to this poster. I expect he or she is just a mean spirited person. Lots of people who play instruments are talented in different aspects. My child is a great sight reader, but doesn't like to memorize pieces. A good teacher finds the strengths in their student and works with that. Find another teacher.