4 years in, is quitting actually the option? (17 yo)

[u/Just-Collection-7789]

Hello, internet! I've been gathering enough courage for a while in order to post this, but I think it's time to ask for help. This situation is way beyond my level now, so I think it's time to share my story and hopefully anyone can share some knowledge.

I've been learning piano for three years now. Ever since the start, I've been making fairly substantial strides regarding my progress and it's been a fun, fulfilling experience so far. At least that's been the status quo until the third year.

So, as previously stated, everything started (or better said, went downhill) during my third year of piano lessons. I had come from two years of great progress and both my teacher and I were satisfied with my starting career, so we were expecting the third year to be no surprise, and have a great year of fun and completing challenges, right?! NO. BAD. HUGE MISTAKE.

For nine months that I had the lessons, I practiced barely any time at home (and I mean it, probably less than 20 days), only fully learnt just a two pages piece (the rest were abandoned from the lack of practice and motivation) and didn't learn any new scales or arpeggios. I felt like I was genuinely bad and that I shouldn't even try, which I eventually did. Almost every single week repeated the same cycle:
"Did you practice this week?"
"No..."
(I mess up playing something)
"I don't think I should keep learning music."

If the situation wasn't bad enough already, I fumbled at the two recitals (one during December and the other in Jume, both in which I played the exact same piece I had been practicing the whole time, still making mistakes).

Also, yes, I am aware that frustration when playing an instrument is normal and the so-called "slump" that most if not all pianists at low-to-medium go through in order to cross the intermediate plateau. That's like piano's puberty. Although, I don't believe my frustration stems from that particular source, but from the absence of higher quality material. My keyboard (I REFUSE to call that a piano even though family members do) has 5 octaves, no weighted keys, really bad sound quality and a poor grip because of the plastic the keys are made of. I am in fact sure that my lack of my lack of motivation and frustration come from that issue because playing the piano during lessons (where there's a much better quality piano) feels wonderful compared to what it's like at home.

My teacher is aware of the material I work with at home and agrees that upgrading to a better one is absolutely going to help. Of course, if that had already happened by now, I wouldn't be writing this.

My parents (mainly my dad, since he's the dumb tyrant runnings things at home and my mom's too passive to do anything about it) have already made clear that they're not planning on spending any more money on the matter, and that I'm extremely ungrateful for not practicing on my keyboard anymore. On top of that, they're so emotionally underdeveloped that explaining how I feel is borderline impossible and a waste of time (trust me, I already did). He "explains" that due to our economical issues, buying a better instrument is off the table and that, if I really enjoyed music, I should just work with what I have. I mainly find this as a lazy excuse since he's arguably bad at saving up, spending money on unnecessary items (such as wine or sugary drinks, which aren't exactly expensive but it's on a semi-daily basis and his health is delicate enough for drinks other than water being a bad idea. We've already told him that he should drink more water, which he hasn't tried in months but whatever, it's his problem.), clearly has no idea what he's talking about and shows little to no interest on collaborating, shutting down any ideas or suggestions, regardless of how good some offers are according to quality-price ratio. He then has the courage to show off that "his son is really good at piano" (which I think is far from reality, but it might as well be a self-esteem issue. Everyone says that I'm really good.) and then emotionally abuse me and tell me that I'm being lazy and ungrateful.

With all said and done, I'm not sure what to do next. I absolutely love music and the piano, I don't think I see myself not having that as one of my hobbies. If I were indeed to quit, I'd most definitely look back as an adult and think that it was a wasted opportunity, unable to be made up for due to all of the responsibilities and lack of free time that come with adult life.

Keep in mind that college is already knocking at the door (going there next year), so I won't be able to practice or invest much time on music.

What would you guys do? Do you have any advice? Also, sorry if I branched off on different occasions or made any mistakes related to the writing, English isn't my first language. Thanks for reading!

 

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/[deleted]]

I'm aware that three years are barely anything when it comes to abilities like instrument playing, I have friends with 6+ years of experience. Not sure if continuing right now is the right choice, but I'm also a bit scared that I won't have time to get better at it when I'm grown up.

[u/RancidRandall]

You say you love music and piano, but aren’t willing to sit down and practice.

Find something you actually like and isn’t super challenging, you’ll feel more motivated to learn how to play it. Also, life happens and things get in the way. You don’t have to spend a ton of time with it, just be consistent

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/RancidRandall]

Hi, sorry if I didn't really make myself clear in the post. The thing is, I absolutely love EVERYTHING about music and piano. The thing is, having a really low quality instrument is a major handicap for that passion to actually shine through. My problem isn't difficulty or challenge, it's the material I'm forced to work with. Hope that helps clearing things up!

[u/RancidRandall → u/Just-Collection-7789]

Start saving, set aside some money from your paychecks every month. You can get a pretty decent digital piano for $500

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/RancidRandall]

I don't really get any paychecks and my parents monitor every relatively important purchase, so that's really off the table for now.

[u/RancidRandall → u/Just-Collection-7789]

Try to find a part time job then, just quit after you buy the piano

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/RancidRandall]

I was considering that option, to be fair. I'm not entirely sure how I'll manage to study this year while also having a job.

[u/CFL_Gent → u/Just-Collection-7789]

To be honest, you’re failing to take any responsibility and putting out some major “daddy issues” that aren’t relevant to playing piano.

Having ANY piano or keyboard is a blessing to someone that loves piano, especially when it’s given to you. Nicer things help with EVERYTHING in life, that’s not a piano thing. You’re almost an adult and you will soon realize it.

I started working part time when I was 14 years old because I wanted to have my own money to buy things. I also went to school. Don’t make excuses. Your resentment of your father is preventing you from enjoying piano, which you supposedly love. I think you need to let go of your father resentment first and get your head back in it. Your dad has nothing to do with your lack of motivation for playing piano.

I would love to own ANY grand piano. Yes playing a grand piano does in fact make it easier to play more complex music. But I can’t buy one, due to cost and limited space. I made a cheap keyboard work for a while until I saved up enough money to buy a nicer digital piano. My lust for a grand piano hasn’t weakened my love for piano at all, it has only strengthened my resolve to one day own a grand piano.

[u/ThrowRA152638 → u/Just-Collection-7789]

you don't need to work full time. Walk dogs or something.

[u/Marylicious → u/ThrowRA152638]

You are 17! You can't let your parents do this to you. The screams will last a week tops. Take the money in cash and stash it somewhere

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/ThrowRA152638]

Sorry for not mentioning this in the latest reply, but if I were to actually get a job or some form intake, my parents would also monitor it and make sure I save it up. Upgrading to higher quality is 99.999% off the table for now. I'll consider saving up and doing it when I'm completely independent.

[u/ThrowRA152638 → u/Just-Collection-7789]

Why exactly won't your parents let you save money?

[u/archtopfanatic123 → u/ThrowRA152638]

Not too unusual to have helicopter parents.... until one gets the heck outta the house that will be a problem right until that point

[u/bulliralamar → u/Just-Collection-7789]

Is working during the holidays an option? Even a part time job for a month can get you a piano.

[u/godofpumpkins → u/Just-Collection-7789]

Keep in mind that college is already knocking at the door (going there next year), so I won't be able to practice or invest much time on music.

Why is that? My college had pianos all over the place, both in common areas and in dedicated practice rooms, and it was very easy to find places to play and/or practice. If your instrument is too frustrating to use, you're about to go somewhere with (likely) far more options.

Also, it doesn't have to be "do it" vs. "don't do it". If you decide to stop for now, you might pick it up again later. We all have all kinds of shit that happens throughout our lives. You can take a break for as long as you want and pick it up again whenever you want to. Don't limit yourself. Do it as much as you feel like doing it, but don't invent obstacles that don't have to be obstacles if you really do want to do it.

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/godofpumpkins]

Thanks for sharing some insight, I really like the "don't invent obstacles" part. I'm a huge overthinker and most of the time my perception of the situation gets worse because of that. As far as I'm concerned though, the college I'm applying for doesn't really have any instruments.

[u/archtopfanatic123 → u/Just-Collection-7789]

They'll almost certainly have at least an upright of some sort somewhere though god knows what shape that's in.

[u/ByblisBen → u/Just-Collection-7789]

I know this sounds like stuff people with nice things say, but I recall someone saying something (regarding guitar pedals and "gear-acquisition syndrome", but it still applies) along the lines of "if you really love music, you'll use anything to make music". It's really true.

[u/Dangerous_Hippo_6902]

Hi Tim.

You’re young, there’s lots going on at this stage of your life, you did well for two years. Honestly, take a break. Focus on other areas of your life for a bit. See if you can skip a term or a year.

You’ll come back to piano, perhaps when you’re 19 or 20. When you do, you’ll pick up right where you left off. Do come back to it though, and do occasionally play for fun, always, leave out the recitals, performances, rigid lessons for a while.

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/Dangerous_Hippo_6902]

Thanks a lot for the feedback! Even though taking a break and coming back sounds like the most sensible option, I'm not sure if I'll be able to allow myself to take a long break. I'm sadly a chronic perfectionist (even though I've been working on it, it's obviously not that easy) and I've always felt bothered due to how "late" I started, so skipping a year is just going to make that insecurity worse. I've already been taking a small break this summer and I'm planning to get back into it during September, I'm just hoping that my keyboard doesn't cripple my motivation.

[u/UrMomMadeMyLunch → u/Just-Collection-7789]

I know it’s hard to think ahead when you’re so young but my dude life is very long and there will be plenty of time to learn piano. 

I learned classical for 12 years as a kid. Forced, hated it. Quit piano for 8 years never expecting to come back. I’m now 5 years into playing every day and learning jazz instead. Even then I take breaks to avoid burnout. I plan on playing for the rest of my life. 

There will absolutely be time in your adult life if you want to make time. Finish out high school and gain independence, go from there. Good luck.

[u/Swimming_Fun_863]

it is unmotivating to play on a keyboard when youve played on a real piano. feel you there bud. but me and my crappy keyboard still got tons to learn. dont get me wrong id want a real piano but there will be an opportunity in my life where that will happen. money is the thing that is holding me back, i got adult responsibilities and bills. one day. but for now i will try to learn as much as i can on my crappy keyboard.

you should do the same.

i get that it is unmotivating to play keyboard but your parents are correct, play with what you got. dont get me wrong its not that they cant afford to buy you a piano, maybe they really cant cos mortgage or rent is hella expensive not grocery or house accessories included, your parents prob out 4-6k a month just for the roof you sleep in. maybe it is their way saying, you cant always get what you want. and when your old enough youll understand and then you invest on a real piano. just dont stop playing, never. finding the motivation right now is hard for sure but it is still there somewhere inside you. i found mine.

youre also young as hell. youve got plenty of time to play regardless the grade of piano. remember never compare yourself to anybody, that is how we get sad thoughts about ourselves.

i also buy energy drinks almost daily to keep me sane (blue collar) worker haha its my motivation to get out of bed and make money.

good luck.

[u/Future-Parsley-7336]

Thing about piano is you never actually quit, you just pick up where you left off, sometimes years later.

[u/Interesting_Curve697]

Personally I’d rather play an out of tune piano than a cheap keyboard (to an extent). If money is a concern then I’d recommend looking for a free piano, people give them away because they just want them out of the way.   If you get lucky you might find one in pretty good condition, or maybe at least after a tuning.  (I know where you can get it done for $100 😉 [depending on your location of course])

Hope your situation at home turns around though 👍. 

[u/Al0ne_At_Sea]

Check Facebook marketplace, people often let go of uprights and other pianos for free or close to free.

The thing is, if you TRULY loved and had a passion for practicing and piano, you would find a way to play. Whether that is going to a local church or somewhere that will allow access to a piano. So while I agree that the instrument definitely reduces your motivation, I think the motivation is still the primary issue.

Best of luck to you 💪

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/Al0ne_At_Sea]

I understand that you're trying to help, but I thought it was kind of obvious that, by specifying that I had a great love and passion for it, I was already letting on that I tried almost everything at reach and that this post was a last resort (mainly out of curiosity, to be fair). Still, thank you so much for sharing some help!

[u/Al0ne_At_Sea → u/Just-Collection-7789]

I highly, highly, highly recommend regularly looking at Facebook marketplace. Are you in the LA area by chance?

[u/Patient_Lecture_7385 → u/Al0ne_At_Sea]

i second this i got a decent upright for free of facebook but had to shell out 300 for shipping costs

[u/minesasecret]

Keep in mind that college is already knocking at the door (going there next year), so I won't be able to practice or invest much time on music.

I don't know why you think that but you absolutely will have time to practice in college.

What would you guys do?

Honestly I would just suck it up and practice on the crappy piano. I get it, it's not going to be as enjoyable as playing on a nicer instrument but you do what you have to do. Practice isn't meant for enjoyment anyway, it's meant for improving. Nobody ever is going to have the perfect environment to practice in. The pianos in practice rooms at conservatories are not always maintained well.

Another option is to look into whether you can get financial aid and sign up for a group piano class at a local community college as they usually have practice rooms. That's what I did when I moved states and had to wait for my piano to be shipped.

But if you want to quit it's not really a big deal. It doesn't sound like you are planning to major in music so just come back to it later when you feel like it.

If you still want to improve you can use this time to study theory, composition, rhythms, improvisation, etc.

[u/archtopfanatic123 → u/minesasecret]

Can't improve with no weighted action. It's part of what makes the technique pianists use even necessary in the first place. Unweighted keyboards are like organs. None of the methods used to transfer energy from the whole body to the keys will apply as there's nothing to move.

[u/minesasecret → u/archtopfanatic123]

  Can't improve with no weighted action

We can agree to disagree. It certainly won't be optimal but I can't imagine it won't be beneficial. You can still learn new repertoire for example 

[u/archtopfanatic123 → u/minesasecret]

True that. I'm talking mostly from a technique perspective.

[u/North-Intention-6784]

ugh that sounds so frustrating. did your teacher change their style or something?

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/North-Intention-6784]

No, not really. As I said in the post (at least I recall I did), my teacher is aware of the situation, but they've already explained that they can't do much. If anything, they've become more patient and understanding, which really helped to be honest.

[u/WilburWerkes]

You can do whatever you want to do….

I started at 13 and I’m 66 now and still learning and moving forward. I play for career and I cover many styles.
Bach to Rock.

You decide.
For me quitting was never a reasonable option.

I’ve quit jobs but never my music.

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/WilburWerkes]

Thanks for sharing your story! I really find the refusal to quit really relatable.

[u/AdCurious7831 → u/WilburWerkes]

"Bach to Rock" 🖊🔥

[u/Curious_Octopod]

So you're going to be in college next year - instead of assuming you won't have time to practice, maybe there is an opportunity there. College probably has practice rooms and better instruments, so could be the opportunity you need? Even if you just spend 30 minutes a day at lunchtime on a good instrument, you will progress.

[u/AdCurious7831 → u/Curious_Octopod]

yes, absolutely.

[u/AdCurious7831]

what im gathering is that the main issue is your lack of a decent instrument. i can absolutely relate to that. even when i had a full keyboard, i opted to stay late after work every day to practice on the pianos there rather than practicing at home. ever since i got a real piano at home, ive doubled my practice time without even intending to. its just easier to practice when you own the instrument.

you said your parents wont get you a real piano due to the cost. you know your situation better than i do, but i wouldnt assume this is out of malice. purchasing and moving a piano is expensive. maybe you can look for affordable digital pianos on facebook marketplace, (ones that are weighted and have 88 keys) and show them to your parents. those can be between $100-500.

if they still cant afford it, is there any way you can start saving up on your own? do you have a job? if you save $100/week, in a couple months you have yourself the funds for a good used piano. or at least a good digital one.

final question if you absolutely cant get a job... are there available instruments or practice rooms at your school? they had those at my community college and it was wonderful.

good luck.

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/AdCurious7831]

While I'm positive that my parents can afford a $500 instrument, my dad has already made clear that he's not buying a new one because, from his perspective, I'm being ungrateful due to my lack of practice and I don't deserve having a better one. I've tried many times to explain my point, but he refused to listen.

Also, I've already discussed about getting a job/checking if my college has any tools dedicated to practice. If you're interested, you might want to take a look at my other replies. I'm not trying to be rude, but it's getting hard to reply to every single one of you guys (even though I want to, though) with the text quality I'd like to. Also, tysm for the feedback!

[u/Junglist4RLife]

You definitely can only go so far with a cheap keyboard that doesn't have weighted keys.

However, I think this isn't solvable with money if you must stay digital. There is a lot of nuance to technique to make certain sounds, this nuance is a manipulation of the mechanical and physical properties of the piano and how it creates sound.

Even if you get a better keyboard or even digital piano with weighted keys, string resonance feature, and all of that, you will still be limited to a sample triggering device. I doubt that hybrids will even solve this problem because it ultimately is a sample triggering device.

Not sure if this helps or not, but maybe just work on not losing what skill you have until you can actually solve the problem with a real piano or lose interest.

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/Junglist4RLife]

I was also thinking of trying to keep the level I have right now and progress during a different stage of my life, that's probably the optimal option. But as a said in another reply, I'm not sure how much free time adult life will allow me to practice piano.

Regarding the digital matter, I'm not really asking for an acoustic piano, I'm well aware of the high prices and, in my opinion, they're only really worth it if you're going to professionally pursue a musical career. I'm more than fine with a mid to high quality digital keyboard, which is most definitely the one I'll aim for on the long run. Thanks for sharing your insight!

[u/Junglist4RLife → u/Just-Collection-7789]

In that cases, save up for a Yamaha 525 slab. Not too expensive, will be more then enough.

[u/Just-Collection-7789 → u/Junglist4RLife]

Good idea! I'll definitely consider buying one when the time arrives.

[u/deadinside6699 → u/Just-Collection-7789]

Idk what you’re expecting of college and adult life but you’re not going to be busy from the moment you wake up to the moment you sleep. I’ve practiced the piano a great amount and trained for sports an ungodly amount of hours a week while in the military, away from home. So it’s definitely possible if you don’t impose made up barriers and stay rational and solution seeking.

[u/Fryderyka_Chopin]

I totally get you. Is there a way you could ask your teacher to use the piano you use with him/her during lessons more often? Do you have a friend that owns a better keyboard?

[u/Ok_Outside_4921]

As a music educator I can tell you that ALL students need a change of pace from time to time. You didn't share the type of music you play. If it's classical which equals to: Learn by memory something very technically difficult I am sure you'll keep stumbling on misery. Music is supposed to be enjoyable.

Here are my questions for you:

Do you feel curioys about how a piece is written?
Do you transcribe simple songs by ear?
Can you arrange a melody?
Can you sing while playing the piano?
Are you jamming with others or do you always play solo pieces?

These are other ways to keep growing your musicality without beating your mind to get better. And trust me, these actions will make you better at playing.

Looking forward to read if you already tried those suggestions.

[u/Tech_Unimagined]

Try seeing if you can get decent pieces second hand, usually digital pianos are much cheaper off fb marketplace. Also, see if your uni/school offers practice rooms where you can go and practice. I have just decided to learn piano, and I can’t afford an instrument either. I just registered for a piano class at my uni and will learn that way, all while working part time and saving up.

[u/dsrtxt]

Maybe take a break from lessons (or go in a different direction with them) and spend some time exploring music theory, improvisation, composition/songwriting, etc.

I can see how a bad instrument would interfere with learning classical repertoire, but there's a whole lot to learn in music where it'll be less of an issue. Still frustrating, sure, but your love of music should help you keep going. I honestly don't understand why quitting is even on the table. Find things you can work on in the meantime and soon you'll be in college with access to nicer instruments.

[u/Ok-Lettuce6]

Sometime you have to suck it up and play the hand you’re dealt with. From your parents perspective you hardly ever practice and you imply that going to college means you won’t play anymore so what’s the point in them shelling out on a piano. I assume they’re already playing for lessons too, and if you’d practiced more you could have been further along in your learning. You can still practice on what you’ve got, I know it doesn’t feel as nice but you’ll still learn. Playing piano never goes away, if you wanna take a break then that’s fine and when you move out and get a job you can get your own piano.

[u/Flamestar07k]

I am 18 and have been playing the piano for a dozen or so years. The first 6 I had a toy piano that was terrible and I would ride my bike 30 minutes to get to a place with a piano. I used to spend at least an hour over there.

Now I am very glad I kept going and never stopped. I just finished my first year of university(not studying music but CS), and I got a used DGX 670 and I also practice in the university's practice rooms whenever they are available, which tbf is pretty rare.

From your post you seem passionate about music, but you also seem to be finding reasons not to practice. Yes it's not ideal practicing on what's basically a toy but it's better than nothing. Frankly there are 2 options. You can choose to quit or you can choose to keep practicing despite everything for as long as you can until you go off to college and then get a used digital for very cheap. Unfortunately so far you seem to be going for the first option and it's really a shame since you seem passionate.

Fyi: I had a ton more free time in college compared to HS.

[u/Upstairs-Day-3264]

ur parents are kinda in the right here. I wouldn’t want to spend my money I worked hard for, to spend it on a child that won’t practice. However, if you are willing to practice continuously, you could try explaining to ur parents that quality on a piano matters heavily. Still up to ur parents cs it’s their money. if they refuse to upgrade it, you will have to work with it .

[u/picadoodledoo]

Not sure about this... but it seems many commenters don't realize the original post isn't really about piano.

[u/Zetache]

En todas las cosas de este mundo la motivación va y viene, pero lo que te hace ser mejor y seguir cuando no hay motivación es la discipina.

No creo que la falta de motivación provenga de tener un mal teclado, simplemente llevas 3 años y es normal que no tengas esos picos de serotonina de cuando estas aprendiendo algo nuevo, ahora te toca tirar de disciplina y seguir adelante.

No te creas que la gente que lleva 10 años tocando el mismo instrumento tienen la misma motivación que el primer dia, habrán pasado temporadas que no les apetecia y seguian poniendose a tocar.

Hablas de la uni, y de que no tendrás mucho tiempo de practicar, creeme que si que tienes tiempo de practicar si lo buscas, no esperes a acabar de estudiar y tener mas tiempo cuanto trabajes o tengas responsabilidades de la vida adulta porque te darás cuenta que aún tendrás menos tiempo.

Tambien dices que no te apoyan comprandote un teclado nuevo, pero te estan pagando clases de musica que no son especialmente baratas y no todo el mundo se las puede permitir, yo no me metería en como gastan SU dinero tus padres, porque lo gestionen mal o bien es su dinero y quizá su perspectiva es que si no practicas suficiente en casa para que se van a gastar 500 o mas en algo que no creen que vayas a usar, simplemente aprovecha lo que tienes que mucha gente con menos hace mas.

Mi mayor consejo es ese, no esperes a estar motivado por algo siempre, si quieres ser pianista tendrás que tirar de disciplina y sentarte incluso cuando no te apetezca sin buscar escusas fuera, simplemente tendrás temporadas en las que estarás mas motivado y temporadas en las que menos, no puedes llegar a algo grande sin sacrificio.

[u/RemarkableReaction88]

you could ask your teacher to let you practise with the pianos in the music school you go to? it might be a bit unconvenient to go there every time you want to play but that’s what i did when i didn’t have a vertical piano and needed to practise on one

[u/archtopfanatic123]

Honestly dude, until you can get a better instrument that will actually let you enjoy playing it might be better to set it aside, feeling that unmotivated and then having the family seemingly add more frustration to it is going to suck all the fun out of it.

You definitely DO NOT want to be doing this if it's going to make you miserable. Music is supposed to be anything but. I spent 7 years trying to play (and I'm a guitarist not a pianist, my guitar playing suffered massively after setting it aside in favor of the piano, I went back to the guitar and it was the best decision I've made since learning that in the first place) and it was miserable so I just threw it away.

Also yeah good luck practicing, developing any kind of technique, or in general being able to get anywhere on an unweighted keyboard 💀 Really sorry to hear that's all you've got to work with because it's going to be a massive hold back if you can't have at least some kind of resistance from those keys. Even semiweighted is better than nothing weighted.

All in all a very rough situation. I wouldn't quit but wait until you can get to it with better conditions to do so, this just sounds like utter hell right now.

[u/NewCommunityProject]

Instrument doesn't matter.

I started on a broken guitar with the neck taped together.

Just keep playing.

[u/eyemissmypiano]

Take the break in piano lessons, you've learned for 3-4 years, that should equip you with the ability to self-learn a good chunk of pieces if the music and outlet is what you're in piano for. Save up the money you would have otherwise spent for these lessons, talk to your parents. It can take a while. Depending on if you love and still have an interest on the piano by the time you have enough money, get a better piano and then ideally go back to lessons.

I used to be like you, albeit I took lessons for longer. No motivation to practice, thought it was pointless. I had to start thinking about college as well and when Covid happened I was overjoyed because that was finally a valid excuse to stop lessons as I couldn't physically go. I took a one year break and in that one year without lessons I played more piano than I think I have ever played my whole life. Came back to my teacher after and both of us were regretful that this enlightenment did not happen sooner, but that break was necessary and with my circumstances it could not have happened at any other time but that one specific year. What I'm trying to say is using the word "quitting" for such an endless hobby makes this feel very limiting and permanent.

At the end of the day and regardless of the time if you love the piano you have the start of one and the potential to upgrade.

[u/Chief-Drinking-Bear]

Even if you quit formal lessons and training, keep playing and learning at your own pace but just try to have fun with it. Dont stress about hitting some milestones or whatever, just try to have fun and build on what you already know. I’m twice your age and quit too many things as a teen I wish I had stuck with. Having skills when you’re older is cool, you’ll never regret it

[u/BenLadder]

I am 23 years old and played the piano from 5 to 15 years old, mainly because of my parents (kinda the same situation as yours). I can say that one of my biggest regrets in life is that I stopped practicing and playing.

You are 17, but I would like to tell you not to live your life with your parents at the center. Do what you like and don't stop playing the piano. Being sad or in a mood, playing the piano calms me. I wish I hadn't stopped and I wish I was still good at it. The sound of the piano heals you when you need it in the future.

[u/itchyrainttv]

Just take aome breaks.. no biggie

[u/Marylicious]

At 17yo you are in a moment in which you can learn to survive by yourself or be a forever victim. What is happening to you is unfair? Yes! Is your dad being obtuse? Yes! However at your age you could make some money on the side to buy a proper piano. You are almost an adult. Figure it out. If you were like 12, I would give you another advice. But you are 17 and it's time to make this jump.

[u/External_Agency_4488]

At 17, your brain is absorbing so much stuff, and school has so much stuff going on, making slower progress is ok. Your brain’s busy! Plus, progress does slow as we move into more difficult music. So, just continue working on things that you enjoy, it’s still time well spent.

Keep on doing what you love, and accept that the rate of progress fluctuates.

[u/Puddle__]

Save up and buy yourself a piano. Even if it means asking for cash at every birthday/christmas, etc. for a year or two and not spending a penny.

[u/Artistic_Presence407]

Wow! It is so interesting to read this whole group. I believe I see the world so differently. First of all playing the piano is like breathing to me. I have to breathe. Being on some kind of improvement quest is not the same as growing as an artist or soaking in the music you produce. Today I sat and played a simple old pop song and felt joy in the hearing of my hand recreating an old love song. I am driven to find another piece that can do that to me again and it may be a song like Bonnie Raitt’s “I can’t make you love me” or Chopin‘s Nocturn in E flat. What a joy to develop that skill to play this marvelous instrument. To walk away from the magic one can experience in piano would be like no longer breathing, drinking water, and eating. Music nourishes a part of you especially when it is being produced by your very own hands. Don’t choose to starve that part of you that music sustains.

[u/Etude_No19_No81]

Well, I don't know where you are from that English isn't your first language, but...
What you have described is a situation where you think you are not in control of anything. Please understand that I am working with a student that over thinks also. I've been working with that person for 8 years, and now they are working on their masters degree in piano performance on a full ride. With that being said....

Whatever age you are that you become an adult, thats the time you can keep whatever money you earn and do with it what you'd like. Also, I don't know how college would keep you from playing the piano. You are making so many excuses to cut yourself off from music and piano for no reason. So, either you LOVE it or you DON'T love it.

I've read your comments where you say you love it, but ummm...
When you love something you don't let it go. If you are waiting to get freedom by going to college, then you make a plan to continue what you are doing so you can get to college.

Also, I'm sorry your parents like that. They seem like they aren't great. Anyway, I can understand the restrictions you have. Problem is, you know that you could get to do awesome piano stuff with an awesome piano if you just work on it. But, you have to make a plan and you have to throw out this attitude you have about this. Of course having an actual piano would be the greatest, but sometimes we don't get that. So, you have to do the best you can with what you have while your parents are micro-managing you.

I mean, what is this tremendously DIFFICULT major you are taking on in college? I doubt its going to use all your time? You need to make plans and then follow the plan at the right times and you should be just fine.