AT MY WHITS END

[Cory35]

ive probly been practicing and praying for about a year now, and nothing has really changed, i feel like giving up. i mean i really do read every post about music theory, and i try to memorize chorded songs and i practice at my church for hours. and the worst part is, for you who are COGIC, the minister of music of my church is Dr. Curtis Lewis, who was inducted in the Gospel Hall of Fame, and he is the Dean of Music for the National COGIC, he is basically the best piano player i know, BUT HE WONT HELP, he says he will, and to "be at the church at 10:00 am" and i go, and he always says ohh, im soooo busy, and the 2 times he did teach me a little bit all he did was holler and scream at me cuz i was doing it wrong..... i really really really have a strong passion to play the piano, but i feel as though, time is running down, cuz im only 16, but there're people out there who are 12 and are playing for churches, i really feel like giving up, what do i do, i mean i pray about this, and it seems like God forgot about me, i know i know, God doesnt work in time, you gotta wait on the Lord and be of good courage, trust that he'll make a way, but i dont wanna hear that right now, in my situation i need the Lord's help now.... what do i do?

[ManofPraise]

You just hold on man. As I said in one of my earlier post learning an instrument takes time,patience, and practice. Do not let others get you down. I am in the COGIC and I totally do not approve of how you said this man was treating you. I think that you should find you another teacher, stay on this website, and continue praying to God. Lean and depend on God and he will show you the way. God knows your heart, and if he sees that you really want to learn, no doubt about it you will learn, IF YOU DON'T GIVE UP. To many times many of us have lost opportunities and gifts and talents that we could have had, but we just gave up being frustrated. Do not get mad a this man(Don't turn rail for rail). I did'nt learn to play the keyboard over night it took time, dilegence, determination, and most definitely prayer. If you are doing all of this, all I can say is just keep holding on and don't get frustrated.
:Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. / But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Trust in Lord God, Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and the Holy Ghost to lead and guide you. They definitely will not let you down!!!!

[ManofPraise]

Another thing: 16 is still young!!!!! It is not too late!!!

[Mysteryman]

Man you need to get out if you can and hear some other musicians. This will open your ear up to stuff and if you really understand the music theory you can watch and try to understand what they are doing. Left Hand chording baffled me for years until one day I sat and watch this guy play. Some how the Lord opened up my understanding to how simple it was. I was able to play LH chords like the same night. 

Being that you are 16 Im not sure how much your parents will let you get out. If you can post a mp3 of your playing it will be nice then I may be able to guide you in the right direction. Even though I cant see you play live. Other things that can hinder you is bad posture and finger placement. If you play with your fingers flat you may be in the same place 3 years from now. LOL. Another thing is that its what you practice. You need to learn theory and it is important but you also need to try to play the style that you actually want to play.

If you can play the same thing in all keys, the basics, you may never see how certain keys correlate to each other. Also if you dont have enough understanding of what you are doing it may take you a while. Different teachers teach different ways. Every teacher might not be effective with you if you dont have a understanding of what they are trying to do.

Its the same thing with the karate kid. He thought his master was just getting him to clean up the house and do chores and wasnt teaching him anything. It wasnt until Mr Meyagee showed him how all the cleaning and doing things a certain way was actually teaching him. Thats when he really understood what was going on. Im not saying you have to stick with the teacher you have but you just need understanding. Some students fail in school because they didnt understand what the teachers expected of them. They thought every teacher was going to have the same method.

Just keep a open mind and expose yourself to more music.

[lumbebear1]

Don't Quit..................................T ake Mysterman's advice. I watch other musicians, look at DVD/Video's, I also check out the video's posted LGM MEdia Center and on Hear & Play. Hang in there...........There are a lot of musicians on this site that will help you out..................take advantage of the opportunity this site gives you

Blessings.......

[dyronjackson]

PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP. REMEMBER GOD ANSWERS PRAYER, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE STILL AND KNOW THAT GOD IS GOD AND WHEN HE'S READY FOR YOU, YOU WANT TO BE READY FOR HIM. NOTHING HAPPENS OVERNIGHT. IF YOU KNOW OTHER MUSICIANS, GET WITH THIEM AND ASK QUESTIONS GET THEM TO SHOW YOU DIFFERENT CHORDS. A GOOD THING IS TO HAVE A TAPE RECORDER HANDY SO YOU CAN RECORD THESE MUSICIANS AND LATER PRACTICE.

WHEN YOU PRACTICE DAILY TRY TO PRACTICE DIFFERENTLY. MEANING TRY ALTERING YOUR CHORD PATTERNS. ONE GOOD THING TO DO IS PRACTICE A HYMN OR FAVORITE SONG AND ALTER THE PATTERNS AND SEE HOW IT SOUNDS. OFTEN TIMES I SURPRISE MYSELF WHEN I AM AT THE KEYBOARD AT HOJME OR AT CHURCH. I THINK SOME OF THE PEOPLE AT CHURCH THINK I'M DRUGED UP WHEN ON THE KEYBOARD SMILING AND LAUGHING BECAUSE OF THE CHORD I HEAR. AND IN DOING SO, I WRITE DOWN THE CHORDS OR PATTERNS TO LATER PRACTICE THE CHORD OR PATTERNS IN DIFFERENT KEYS. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT WORKS UNTIL YOU TRY.

IF YOUR MOM DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOU, FIND SOMEONE ELSE.

KEEP YOUR HEAD UP

DJ

[z841]

Here's another view:  http://www.pentecostalmusicians.com/ - click the Music Helps link at the bottom.  There are some very easy to understand texts that will allow you to get a foothold.  Next I highly suggest getting the book Music Theory for Dummies. 

Whoa!  No ones calling anybody a dummy!  This just so happens to be a very well thought out primer on music theory.

Next, ask questions.  That's so good it's worth repeating.... ask questions.  Anyone who you might think will have an answer.  And don't be afraid to fail/fall... your gonna find yourself doing it less and less as the time progresses.

 

[Bronzee]

Cory, please be encourarged. Do not give up on learning to play. There are many people out there that are good teachers. Forget about Dr. Lewis. Find another teacher. You may have to go out somewhere else..not within your foe. I had the same problem with that kind of situation. The musicians can be something else. Remember you are paying a teacher to teach you how to play not yeah at you.  Be Blessed.