Hi, sorry, I don't post much (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'm a sixth form student who has been playing the piano for about 3 years, and am supposedly working towards my grade 6. I also play the flute, working towards grade 8. My first piano teacher was amazing, I got to grade 5 within 2 years, loved practising and was full of enthusiasm. Unfortunately she could no longer continue teaching, so I found another teacher, who is brilliant as well but I have little motivation for practising.

I'm looking to do medicine at uni and took 5 AS's this year, not including music, so balancing that with practise is tough. I do physically have the time, I just can't bring myself to get into it. Even flute has been neglected. Now my piano teacher is frustrated with my lack of progress and has suggested I don't continue with lessons. I had lapses in motivation with piano before, but my old teacher was amazing at knowing how to rekindle that enthusiasm, through working me hard in lessons, getting me to listen to certain pieces etc.

I don't know how to get back that love for music - if I should see if another teacher would spark it again, or if I should just give it up. I've struggled with my mood and stress levels this year anyway but I can't tell if that's because I haven't been playing, or the reason why I haven't been playing. My family are struggling financially at the moment too, which increases the pressure to give it up (and possibly flute too). I really miss loving music. I'm sorry this is so long, if anyone has any suggestions or has been in the same situation I would appreciate advice.

Sorry that your teacher appears to have missed the point. I know how bad I felt when one of my teachers suggested less frequent lessons or that I might want a break.
With the financial situation on top would less frequent lessons work for you?
If you do want to continue with piano it might help to talk to your teacher about how things are (s)he may be able to adjust her expectations and come up with things to help to get you enjoying it again. Even without A levels most people will have times when it feels harder to be motivated.

Thanks for such a fast and thoughtful reply (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I've spoken to my teacher about the problem but she says it just has to come from me, which is very true. I asked her about fortnightly lessons and she doesn't do anything more than a week's gap, because it hinders progress and she could easily fill that slot with another weekly pupil. Finding a teacher who could do less frequent lessons is a possible solution for the money side though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
I do want to continue with piano, if I can pull myself together again. We thought about not doing exams, because I've never been a fan of scales and sight reading, although my parents don't really want to pay for lessons if it's only casual playing, plus the exams do usually push me to practise.

I'm sorry, it feels like I'm just moaning on here. None of my friends or family have ever got into music as much as I did, it's so nice to be able to read about similar experiences and talk to people who understand.

Couldn't exams be deferred? Maybe some time playing some less challenging things at this point would be good. You'd be able to put more into interpretation which is going to benefit when you do come to grade 6.
If your parents are not musicians they may not see that playing is not primarily about exams and it's easy to see exams as a mark of getting value for money.

I think you're working too hard - you must need really good grades to do medicine, and doing advanced flute and piano at the same time must be very difficult. There is no shame in knocking the music on the head for a few years until you've qualified, and taking it up again later. I had a pupil in a similar position once - she has stopped for the time being but I'm confident that she'll return to it when life allows. Give yourself a break and good luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

jenflute, I found myself in the exact same position last year-already doing something else to a high standard (albeit mine was dance, not an instrument) as well as piano, as well as trying to get the grades required for medicine. I had a bit of a burn-out just before my AS's, and basically that had a detrimental effect on everything, both music and school work. I ended up effectively dropping the piano for a whole year, from my AS's to just a couple of weeks ago, and I'm thoroughly enjoying getting back into piano after the break-I'm full of enthusiasm for it again! As others have suggested, less frequent lessons, with no intention of exams, may be another option to keep your piano playing "ticking over".

You say that you have the time to practice, but can't bring yourself to do it-bear in mind that in your A2 year, you may not have as much time as you did this year, and if piano isn't what you want to do in your spare time at the moment, then don't-your breaks off from revision and school work are hugely important! Medicine is a tough one to get the grades for, and you already sound like you're working extremely hard in everything you do! A break may be the answer, and you might just find your passion for the piano will come back again.

P.S. Don't worry about feeling as though you're moaning on here, the forum's here to help (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Hi jenflute. As you have said you would like to continue with your piano lessons, would it be worth stopping lessons with your present teacher for the time being and then if you are missing your lessons finding a teacher who is able to give you ad hoc lessons and is more understanding of your situation.

In terms of your CV it's good to have an interest other than studying for your A levels. It shows you have extra capacity in you if you can organise your time enough to fit a hobby in. You could try to keep some music going so you can mention about this hobby at an interview.

Thank you all so much for your replies (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I can see it makes sense to slow down on the music front for a while, I probably will stop lessons with this teacher and see how it goes from there with one less thing to worry about.
@Fran*Piano, are you heading off to uni this year, or taking a gap year? I'm in awe of anyone who can dance, I've never been able to at all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) How has it been taking a break from piano, are you finding it ok getting back into it? I'm thinking of doing a deferred entry/ taking a gap year because I'm really not certain if med school is for me, to hopefully get some full time clinical work experience and think about it without the pressure from school. It could be a good chance to take up piano again too.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

@Alicia Ocean, I'll try to keep the flute going this year no matter what, so that, as you said, I have got other things to mention on my CV. I think my head would explode if I didn't have flute chugging along, there's only so much physics I can take (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

I'm taking a gap year this year, as my AS grades were not what I'd hoped-we'll have to see what A2 results bring, but I'm hopeful! I'm currently working as an HCA in local hospitals and loving it-it's completely reaffirmed my desire to study medicine, and if there's any way you can get into doing that, even for a while, I'd hugely recommend it. Being able to see how a hospital works "on the shop floor" as it were is tremendously interesting, and you'd learn all sorts along the way! As for the piano, I literally hadn't played since September, and I've gone straight back in to playing and practicing over an hour a day, now that the "pressure"'s gone, I just enjoy it so much more! Not that I'm saying it will be exactly the same if you took a break, but just so you know that taking a break DOES NOT mean the end of the road for piano playing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Wow good on you, that sounds amazing! I spent a day of work experience with some HCAs so it's weird to think that could be me in a year's time. I know some people who got gap year work as theatre assistants, which I'd also love to try. Best of luck for the 16th! I'll be needing it too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)
My older sister took a gap year as a carer to reapply for medicine - she seriously failed her AS's, then retook almost all of them with her A2s and amazed everyone with her results (I think she ended up with 2 A*s and 2 As (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) ) she's just finished her 1st year and is loving it.

Hi jenflute

I used to be in the same situation as you are. When I was 15 I was taking piano lessons, but lost all motivation for it, partly due to school exams, which led to lack of practise. So I gave up lessons. In all honestly, giving up is something I came to regret, so 6 years on (about 16 months ago - age 21) I started learning again, and I cannot tell you enough how much I now love playing. I infact went back to the same teacher I had 6 years ago. Initially I said to him I just wanted to play for fun, but I later decided to do some grades and have just passed my grade 4 exam.
So, my advice would be that if you have no motivation for playing anymore, stop for a while and see if that motivation comes back. It did for me, and it is one of the most enjoyable things in my life (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Good luck to you too, Jen!

Scales and sight reading are on the syllabus for a reason and if you have been neglecting them you may be finding the going getting tougher as you approach Grade 6. It's quite usual to reach a plateau for a while where you need to work at a skill before you can take off again. This might not be the best time to be doing that though with everything else you have going on. I took quite a long break from piano when I went to uni and picked it up again later when I had the maturity to realise what I needed to do to improve. I should try to keep playing at some level though if you can to maintain what you have learned so far.

I sometimes think I am the only person in the world who enjoys playing scales on the piano. I remember first being shown how to do it at about age 12 - thumb under for the fourth - then hands together with working out what fingers to use - I loved it. The thrill of achievement. I still love playing scales, and can play them at a more advanced level than I can play the piano. I try and pass this enthusiasm onto students and my own children - whatever instrument they are learning.

Scales can also be a great way to release tension after a hard day's studying.