Parental Support....

learning to pick · #1 July 25th, 2006

I have been playing the guitar for about 3-4 months on and off. Once I first started learning (I have taught myself) my parents genuinly thought I was doing ok and that I sounded good (that was when I was learning the chords and what not) now I am moving onto learning songs and rhythms and things, my parents are saying that I sound bad and that I should give up

I am slowly progressing and sounding better, (to myself) but everytime they make a comment it knocks me back. I have told them that I would become better if I had a proper teacher, but they're too expensive, and that if they didn't want me to play guitar why buy me one in the first place. But still they moan...

What can I do??

D-Dawn · #2 July 25th, 2006

Well it could be that your song choices and your parents song choices just don't mesh...different generation and all that...try throwing in something they might like and hopefully they will encourage you!

fly135 · #3 July 25th, 2006

Tell them if they don't like it close the door. If you think that you are progressing then you most certainly are. I find that GuitarPro is a great learning tool. Also Powertab is similar and free. I would also like to get lessons, but it's hard for me to find the time to go.

Now is the time to learn, don't let your parent negative vibes deter your. Tell them to go focus their negativity at someone or something else. Maybe if you have a dog they can go kick it, or yell at the neighbors. (j/k about the dog)

Hippy · #4 July 25th, 2006

Dam...that post brought me down..Dude, if you think your progressing, then you are. As posted before, maybe learn a tune or two that they might enjoy, but you need to please your own ears or your interest will slowly go slip away. I'm not sure where you live, but here its summer and theres nothing like taking your guitar out somewhere in the shade and jammin the hours away. Never let negativity stop you from anything in this life that you enjoy...if its legal ;-)
~Hippy

allthumbs · #5 July 25th, 2006

The goal is more to enjoy what your doing. You seem to do that. I never understood why some people don't get that. The joy of doing is the thing. Would your parents rather you were bugging them to buy you video games or watch tv all day long? Learning to play guitar is Learning new skills which has to be a good thing. As long as it makes you happy. Play your guitar for you. If you can do a tune that they can enjoy, bonus.

bluesguy · #6 July 25th, 2006

Are you playing really loud? As a parent that might make me

. I would more likely ask you to go to your room and play a bit quieter or get you headphones for your amp

.

But I really

what is up with your parents. I know I am encouraging my children to learn how to play musical instruments. My son (11) is learning to play drums in the school band.

Another option for getting lessons if $s is the issue would be to get a part time job and earn the $s to pay for lessons on your own. Maybe even work at a guitar shop and trade for lessons?

Lcjones · #7 July 25th, 2006

Dear learningtopick,

Parents know some things. They know when to feed you. They know when you should be home. They know when to pay the electric bill. They especially know squat. Particularly when it comes to music.

Practice anyway.

I know. I'm a parent. I bought guitars and dulcimers and what-not for our kids when they were young. They had nothing to do with them. My son, now 28, is an acomplished bassist and my daughter, now 30, critiques my work to make me a better musician.

**
Les
Cheer Down

Hilch · #8 July 26th, 2006

Lots of good advise here people

Learning to pick listen to what everyone has said , " it really is good advise "

learning to pick · #9 July 26th, 2006

Wow
thanks for the advice, I'll learn some Robbie Williams(to please my mother) and get better at the Celine Dion ones (to please my father) and I'll try mcfly (to suit my sis)

Thanks for all the advice. If my parents continue, I'll talk to them nicely and yeah, I'll get a job. I have to get one soon, to be able to pay my insurance and what not on my bike i'll be getting next year.

So thanks everyone!!

tsiratiug · #10 July 31st, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by learning to pick

the Celine Dion ones (to please my father)

Dude! Even if that's true.... you shouldn't broadcast it to the world. Don't even whisper it to yourself. Can you say psychological scars?

D-Dawn · #11 August 1st, 2006

metalkour · #12 August 1st, 2006

my parents arnt help full when i play metal
but when i play blues my parents love my

737blues · #13 August 2nd, 2006

Sounds like you're gonna have the blues when your folks are home, I thought that was normal for teenagers!

metalkour · #14 August 2nd, 2006

ya i guess so

scotty_b · #15 August 5th, 2006

Hey
A couple of things to keep in mind is that '3-4 months on and off' is really not a very long time at all. I appreciate we all have different expectations, but I think we are serious beginners after a couple of years. Most people have no appreciation of playing an instrument well.
As for dealing with comments that hurt, it can be difficult. We need to decide how we will deal with those, and where we can 'place them' so they do the least amount of damage to us.
The comments about learning something your parents will recognise and like is great. Learn the melody, not just the chords, and that can make a world of difference.