Pertaining to practicing of course but also to many other aspects of life, the feeling of feeling like you do so much but in the same token you never do enough?

I don't because I do my best and leave it at that.

Maybe this isn't the best forum but I have a great teacher, she is very attentive to my needs, but I feel silly sometimes because she is a concert pianist and I am an absolute beginner. I know she teaches because she needs the income but sometimes I feel so inadequate and shy because here is this teacher who regularly plays Lizt and I can barely play She'll be coming round the mountain.

Alans, I asked a friend of a friend to teach me piano. She's really accomplished and has very good young students. I was so worried that I was insulting her by even asking. I live in Okinawa, and don't speak Japanese well, and I wanted her to teach me because she speaks English and I was struggling to find an English speaking teacher. It's working out ok. In some ways I think it's a good learning experience for her, too, since I'm her first adult student.

Joeb84, I definitely wish I had more time to practice. But when that "I'm *so* bad at this and I don't feel like I'm getting better" feeling creeps in, I try to just be patient and revel in the smallest accomplishments.

Every day of my life.

So do I but my best isn't good enough...clearly

I always figure I haven't done my best yet...but maybe today's the day!

Yes I was talking to my piano teacher today about how I have been slacking in the practice department so starting tomorrow I will start a journal and strive to practice 3-4 hours a day. I just hope I stick with it. I believe I will after "d*cking around" for so long...

Along these lines, today I was on a very long drive listening to Alfred Brendel play Beethoven sonatas, a new-to-me album of them. First reaction - they're gorgeous. Well, some of them are particularly wonderfully gorgeous and moving. But after a while on this drive, I was hit by - "lord, I will never be able to play these, much less like this, and that is a horrible thing." He isn't playing the notes - he's playing the whole damn piano like it's part of him.

So sometimes I think "wow, I can play some piano now, that's great", and sometimes I despair because I would love to have that kind of musical... depth... and I don't think it's going to happen in this lifetime.

But hey, I can play me some piano now.

Yes, I don't practice enough.

Yes, I want to be able to play better. I spend as much time as I can at it, though. In fact, now I think about it, I'm pretty pleased with my progress after 9 months or so.

I usually get that feeling when my practice time is less structured and without a goal. I try to say, "I'm going to work on X for 6 months". Hard to not see progress when you set clear goals. I also try to play for enjoyment often, improvise, really connect with what I'm playing. Since there's no real goal, there's less pressure. It's a balance for me. But I must admit, some days I give up and stop practicing out of frustration. Sometimes you just have those days.

For those talking about feeling bad for being so less skilled than your teacher, you have to see it from their perspective. Anyone who enjoys teaching loves to see even the complete beginner progress. I've had extreme pride watching a 6 year old play Yankee Doodle, or watching a new adult student play a simple Beatles song with no mistakes for the first time. Think of something you do really well and imagine yourself teaching that to someone else. Now imagine how good that feels when that person understands what you are teaching them.

Does a elementary school teacher not have pride when their young students get 2+3 right? I would hope that teacher's math skills were WAY above that level. It's a 2 way street.

Good enough for what ?

Good enough to become a concert pianist ?

Maybe not.

I have been at this for 7 years and I am not nearly as good as others are who have been at it much less time than me.

However, I still love to play what I can play. I am getting better and I am enjoying the process.

Leave it at that. Enjoy the process.

I really wish I could get myself to enjoy the process and journey more like the way I enjoy car rides going somewhere or something analogous to that haha

Yes!

I feel that way too and I remember talking to some people about regretting the fact that I didn't keep up with music and the piano all these years. They said "well some of us can't even play an instrument at all". And I thought well that's a good point some people don't even get to the point we're at. Some people just keep wishing they could or never thing of it as a possibility. So, I guess we should give ourselves credit for that.

I know what you mean. I find myself making excuses as to why I didn't get to practice as much as I wanted to (work etc). But she teaches at a university as well as gives lessons where I go AND afterwards she stays to practice for a few hours. AND she will have "lessons" with a mentor of hers and it will last for hours. Then I feel like a jerk-ha ha ha

Amen to that! Enjoy the process.
I think if you don't enjoy the process , then piano may not be in your best interest, sorry to say.

I don't set out to do much, so my days are filled with success!

Ed

2 steps forward, then 1 back. Rinse and repeat....forever!

Honestly, this is how it works. Always has.

Yea...piano isn't in your best interest or in your near future. I'm a psychic now. That's almost like telling a child that is learning to walk, walking isn't in your best interest hahahahaha oh my GOD. Get a clue guy whoever you are...

I'm glad to hear someone who has been at it longer than me say this.

hang in there, joeb84

This thread is for me! I am a 57 year old beginner and have been a bit intimidated by the advanced adult beginners on this forum! You guys rock!

If you had half a clue Joe you would know you were talking to a lady and not a guy there.

And if you had a full clue, you would also know that everyone is entitled to their opinion, whether you agree with it or not.

Thats the wonderfull thing about opinions, they are just that, and no ones opinion is any greater or lesser than anyone elses.

Remember your teachers are human too! I'm sure there are many things we all have more experience with and could do better. Maybe you are a mechanic and if your teacher's car bombed out you would be like a supreme being with amazing talent if you were able to fix the thing.

My teacher has been playing since she was 6 and has a masters degree in music. I hope she is way better than me!!! I just try to have fun and have some sort of sense of humor about my mess ups.

Sometimes I really enjoy the different finger exercises etc. because it is a small sense of accomplishment when I can master them. Of course there are always the next ones which are more challenging but that is part of the game.....always another level!

My teacher is cool in that we try to pick some songs that can sound beautiful that I will be able to be successful with. It is nice to be able to play a song that people know and I enjoy. I'm not there to become a concert pianist at this stage of the game.

Have fun and relax !!!!

Whatever, it's still an ignorant thing to say. I've seen everything in this life and if somebody has a dream and they want to pursue it, thats up to them. No matter what, people are gonna say and think what they want your right but I disagree with her statement haha And actually I do have a clue...a BIG one. Nice try tho bud

After almost 18 months of 90% perseverent practice i find myself on and off with these thoughts. Sometimes i feel like i'm just not progressing and after a shortwhile, especially after short few days time breaks, i feel like i made significant jumps:)

No, what piano joy said made complete sense, and we've seen this time and time again: If one doesn't enjoy the process then they will not succeed, period.

It's an ugly truth, and if you choose not to believe it, then so be it, but don't bash piano joy ("get a clue guy...", "it's an ignorant thing to say...") for expressing her opinion, again one many here know and have observed to be true. And she's not squashing anyone's dream, since if you truly want to be a great pianist, then this doesn't apply to you as you must enjoy practicing at least to some degree.

Ehhh come to think of it she's right in a way. If you don't love what you do then why do it? I am working on it haha I sincerely apologize

I think you will find that everyone will agree that you most certainly have not achieved that.
No one has,
no one ever will.