As you all know not too long ago, I started piano lessons, however something happened and I got left with no teacher, and unsure as to whether i wanted to carry on. Now, I came in this evening and my Mum proceeded to tell me she has rung a piano teacher who can take me on. The problem being I am unsure whether I want to, or even if I can. I arent ready yet and am very worried about it. I dont know what to do

Agree on a few trial lessons or....to review if you want to carry on after one term? My son did this with his new teacher, he wasn't sure if he wanted to take up piano, now he loves it more than violin and at the end of his 'trial' he told the teacher he wants to carry on!

Give it a go Soph.
Though there was no doubt in my mind about carrying on I wondered about waiting a while after my teacher became terminally ill 3 years ago. I realised that waiting would just make it harder to make myself get in touch with another teacher and so didn't hang around.
I've not regretted it.

I don't agree with the other advice offered .Should I shouldn't I . You don't tell us why you have doubts and on the face of it maybe your mum wants this more than you do . Be strong and make up your OWN mind . There,s only one reason to learn music - because YOU want to

Soph, remembering how much you enjoyed it before, I would at least meet the teacher and ask if you can see how it goes for a few weeks.

Ok, I lost my teacher, and no one needs to know the details, and the few forum members who know will understand why I dont want to say anything about it.

The whole thing knocked me, and while part of me wants to carry on, another part doesnt want to. I am supposed to meet this new teacher next week and I am really worried about the out come. My parents are encouraging and not as someone previously suggested pushy. My parents want me to do what I enjoy/ enjoyed and want to help me get where I want to get.

Why are you worried about the outcome? The outcome will simply be you learn to play piano

The outcome of meeting the new teacher, and whatever decision I make... You well know I am good at making bad decisions.

I think you should meet this new teacher. If it's apparent from the start that things aren't going to work then surely you can tell your parents so. If you don't go then you'll never know what you could be missing - this person could be just right for you and help reveal so much hidden potential (which you probably do have!).

It's understandable that you are concerned after all that's happened but I really do think you should at least give it a go. And if it doesn't work? Well, don't we learn through making mistakes?

Just have one lesson or meet the teacher, you've got nothing to loose. Good luck!!

with the other posters - I know it'll be tough Soph, but ultimately, you love music, and you don't want to give up on piano really. One lesson, or even a short trial period won't hurt - and you can drop it later if you don't like it...

*Sorry for butting in on the piano thread - though, actually I have just started lessons with a friend... So maybe I'm allowed to be here now!*

I don't know how old you are, so I hope my response isn't inappropriate in any way, but when I lost my piano AND recorder teacher at 12, I stopped piano entirely. Now it's 10 years later and I regret it more than you could imagine. Anybody with the opportunity to have a piano teacher shouldn't turn it down in my opinion.

If you start hating exam pieces or rigid structuring (as I did) then why not try jazz piano or just enjoying the piano, but learning the proper technique and opening up new avenues of exploration.

Honestly I'd love to have a piano teacher now so I just say go for it and if it really doesn't work out what's the worst that could happen, you just don't continue after a few months?

If I had a quid for every time I heard someone saying how much they regretted giving up a musical instrument neither I, nor any subsequent generation of my family, would ever have to work again!
Being able to play the piano will give you pleasure for the rest of your days.

There is only one good reason for voluntarily giving up the piano:

That there is some other skill/activity/interest/career/vocation that:

- you absolutely love to do
- you want to devote yourself to
- needs as much time and effort as you can make available

Power struggles with parents and friends and authority figures, relationship difficulties with teachers, ... etc. they are all minor issues (though they may not seem that way at the time)


Don't waste your youth (Believe me 22 is still young!). We are not immortal. And once you have grasped that grasp this: Life is not even as long as we think when we are young. You will be middle aged before you know it, and you don't want to look back and regret missed opportunities, and wasted time.

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression, I'm learning now, I just think it's far better to learn when you're young

No, sorry, I think it's me giving the wrong impression. I quoted you because I agreed with what you said.
It's great you're learning now. I have lessons too, but there was a 25year gap between when I left school and when I started again. I WISH I'd worked harder at music at school - I so agree with you about it being easier to learn when young.
I wish I'd learned to play tennis, to speak a foreign language. There are so many things that give pleasure that are much easier to learn when young. I'm glad I learnt to ride - that's given me years of fun.

The reasons I am so unsure, as you seem to put it as 'relationship difficulties with the teachers', has nothing to do with it. My old teacher was the best teacher I could have hoped for, they were awful circumstances I had to give up for, which I dont wish to post online. However it had NOTHING to do with relationship difficulties, and I know it seems as though I am being stupid for pulling it up, I have my reasons!!!! If I could I would still be taught by my old teacher!!!