There must be a thousand kids out there hating piano...
My son has been playing piano for more than 4 years. He is getting rather good. He passed level 6 exam a while ago.
Here's the problem--he hates it, or at least acts that way. I doubt any pre-teen is crazy about practicing piano, but he gives such sour face and sarcastic remarks they give me a headache.
My reason to stick with this while spending hard-earned $? I consider it a discipline that builds character. Every kid needs to do SOMETHING he or she doesn't like. Let me rephrase that--no kid can possibly JUST choose to do all things he or she likes. If life were that way he would just be playing video games. We do not force him to go to cram school, play any other instrument. I do not plan to live on $ he someday makes from playing.
I quit piano when I was in middle school. I hated it. Today I regret.
Is it worth the fuss...
2007-05-29 14:48:16 · 12 answers · asked by Pancake 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
BTW, please don't tell me he might like something else. He doesn't. No violin. No drum. He plays a little trambone for school. He doesn't have any other activity he is crazy about.
2007-05-29 14:49:20 · update #1
Maybe it's not the piano but the music. If he's so good, let him pick out some Billy Joel or who ever the kids listen to. Let him switch to electric keyboards and synthesizers.
2007-05-29 15:27:18 · answer #1 · answered by Sharyn 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did he ever enjoy playing the piano? If he did - if there was a time when it really made him happy - then don't let him quit. He'll find that joy again some day - maybe in just a year or two.
BUT, if he has always hated it, then why not let him quit? You've done your job - he can read music, he can play pretty well. It will always be a skill he can return to if he decides he wants to. Meanwhile, I don't think it helps you, him, or your relationship to force him to stick with it. If he hates piano and has always hated piano, he's not likely to regret quitting. Piano takes so much time at the upper levels. Hours of practice. Why not let him spend those hours working on a skill that he really enjoys and wants to keep working on through adulthood?
2007-06-01 07:31:50 · answer #2 · answered by pianogal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why insist on it if he doesn't care for piano? I think it would be okay to let him make choices when it comes to reasonable activities. He will only be more and more resentful if you force something on him that he's not interested in. So to answer your question, no, it is not worth the fuss. Leave him alone and let him choose what he wants to do as far as activities go. You'll have a much better-natured son who will have a chance to develop his true interests, and his own particular character. I know you mean well, but save your money. Not all of us can be Paderewskis! Good luck!
2007-05-29 15:04:14 · answer #3 · answered by gldjns 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's a pre-teen and naturally, they want to do NOTHING. If he really doesn't like piano that much, i don't think it's worth fussing over, but tell him "If you want to stop playing piano, fine, but then you need to come up with another activity, sport or club to join. You're not going to nothing." If he can't find something else to be a part of then let him continue to play piano. I'm sure it's not the most fun thing to do to him, but if he's getting good and find music that he can play that he likes, he might start to enjoy playing.
Best wishes and good luck! =]
2007-05-29 15:00:49 · answer #4 · answered by Sam 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I was on the other end of the scale -- I WANTED so bad to learn piano when I was a kid, but we lived out in the country, we didn't have much money, and my parents didn't think I'd stick to it. I finally got to learn the flute in high school, but it took a lot of pressure on my part, and a lot of talking to a lot of people.
Anyway, now that I'm an adult, I am making my kids take piano. And I am learning piano along with them, so finally my dream is coming true.
My kids grumble, but I'm thinking I will keep them playing piano for at least seven years -- that way, they get proficient, and if they ever decide to take it up again as an adult, they have a good base.
Talk with your piano teacher, and talk with you child, and see if you can come up with a good base-line number of years to practice piano. If he decides to quit after that, let him.
One other thing -- you might try sample lessons with other teachers. He may just have a so-so teacher.
And hey, indulge in some piano lessons on your own! There's nothing like seeing an example in the house to inspire kids. I practice about 15 minutes a day ((-: Yeah, I know, that's not much, but I'm making progress) and I keep up with my oldest girl's lessons.
BTW, a boy who plays piano gets a lot of attention from the girls (-:. He might be thankful later on that you made him stick to it.
2007-05-29 14:58:15 · answer #5 · answered by Madame M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well, mayb he's just getting bored of the piano, i did. all i had 2 do was try a different instrument 4 a while until i was ready 2 go back 2 the keyboard. it doesnt even have 2 b an instrument, he can play his arm pit 4 all we care. though, im not saying he should stop playing 4 good, mayb u should try coaxing him 2 play a little bit more, it is his choice whether he's really going 2 give up on it. and if he does give in, then, oh well, u tried, he may regret, he may not, who knows?
2007-05-29 14:56:18 · answer #6 · answered by Frawggy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My brother recently quit violin. He was actually fairly good. But the thing is, he is much happier now. First off, if he says he hates it, that only means he hates practicing. If you let him quit, I can guarentee that he will continue playing for fun.
Also, if you really want him to continue, ASK him what type of music. If you go to your local music store, they have a vast variety of movie music, and that is so much fun to play. If he chooses what type of music he plays, then he will probably enjoy playing the piano more
good luck!
2007-05-29 14:58:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
just because you are letting him quit piano does not mean you are gonna let him sit around playing video games all day. maybe give him things to choose from that you think are "good for him" or let him name things (even if he doesnt like ANYTHING just make him list some possiblities in his opinion that are better then piano) and you both can decide. if not then make him stick with piano.
2007-05-29 15:08:49 · answer #8 · answered by jENNY :] from;argentina 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think maybe you just answered your own question when you say that now you regret that you quit piano. Sometimes we make our children do stuff that we know will pay off when they are older. Obviously he might never be a professional musician but the day will come when he will be grateful that he can read music. It expands his appreciation of the arts. I'd make him go at least another year.
2007-05-29 14:53:33 · answer #9 · answered by Sharon M 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
oh well, u can make him keep getting piano lessons but he might not ever want to play it for fun.
say u have a family event at home, he might not wannna play the piano for everyone.
he should do something he likes likle maybe get guitar lessons or something
2007-05-29 14:57:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋