<p>Hey guys, so here is the problem: So I play the clarinet and I'm okay at it, not exceptional and not horrible. I've played for a quite a few years. But, the problem is, I do not really enjoy it. No offense to those of you who really enjoy yout instuments, I know you guys are really devoted to what you love. However, I find it really dull and unenjoyable. To be honest, and don't laugh, but I actually first started playing the clarinet when I was young because I liked the picture of myself carrying a case. But now, it just takes up unnecessary time and I do not like it.
However, when I told my parents, they said I HAVE TO DO BAND! And they claim I have never committed myself to anything (I really only quit swimming and karate). I find it really stupid but if I don't do it, they're going to hold it over me 24/7 and I will not be able to do anything fun or hang out with friends ever again. My mom, the nicer one, says I can quit if I prove to her I am devoted to something else (I told her, "What about basketball?" and she tells me I need two). So, I was considering filming. However, do you know how long it would take me to prove my devotion to my parents? It would take months. And I cannot endure it any longer.
Can you guys help me find a way to convince my parents to not make me return to band?</p>
<p>Im a senior and in marching band. It is a ridiculous amount of time and defication spent to this. I honestly wish i culda not done band, but it was too late to drop especially after doing it for 3 years.
The only way it works with my parents is you have propose a deal/plan to them. Like dnt just say you wanna leave band… You gotta be like " ok i want to leave band because i want to focus more on my academics and dedicate more of my time to playing soccer or doing smthing else" … Do what you love to do.</p>
<p>I was your parents. The one thing my oldest child had exceptional talent in was music. Unfortunately, we forced him to do band throughout HS. Our HS would only allow you to join an ensemble if you were in the marching band. He called it “social suicide,” at our HS, apparently it was.
He is now in college and does not have his instruments with him. Honestly, I don’t think he’ll ever pick them up again.
If I had to do it over again, I would have found some middle ground so he would still enjoy it; I would not have forced an EC down my child’s throat. Ultimately, we killed the joy for him.<br>
I would be all over you to find an exceptional use of your spare time, however.</p>
<p>Switch to alto saxophone. Not a big jump and it’s more fun :D</p>
<p>If they’re gonna be jerks, lie and say you’re still in it. I think it’s ridiculous when parents literally force their children to do things they really don’t like (with the obvious exceptions of school, eating your “veggies”, etc). They’re just going to squash any joy you had for the activity (if they ever even had any in the first place) and make you miserable.</p>
<p>I’m in band and I have to say it’s a huge commitment. If you don’t enjoy it, it’s not worth it at all. Really talk to your parents because you’ll spend so much time practicing, that it can be hard to keep your grades up. It takes a lot of dedication to get good grades and participate, so I’d really talk with them about it.</p>
<p>I always had the impression that a lot of people in band are forced to learn instruments because of their parents.</p>
<p>My advice would be to not trade band for another hobby you may hey bored of down the road. If you like basketball and fiong, go ahead. Otherwise I would avoid doing that. Try talking more to you parents too and see if you can work something out. If all else fails, just quolit without permission, and brace yourself for the short term punishment (they can’t be mad forever).</p>
<p>PROBLEM SOLVED! My mother finally listened to me! Thanks for all the great advice guys!</p>
<p>@jasonleb1 LOL, I actually did that last year and when they found out, it was NOT PRETTY.</p>
<p>pardullet has it right. My parents forced me through 5 years of the most miserable piano lessons you could imagine. My teacher was a wicked old woman who would lecture me for over half of my lesson about what it takes to be a concert pianist - which I certainly did not want to be. She actually had the audacity to make mention of how I wore my softball uniforms to lessons sometimes if it was right before/after a game and would give me a disgusted look. I played from age 10 to 15. I am now about to turn 24 and I haven’t touched my piano since. I probably never will again. It’s amazing how much money my parents invested into making me miserable.</p>
<p>Your parents probably just want to see you involved in something so you are not wasting away your time. Find something you enjoy. It probably doesn’t even have to be a school club - what about writing or reading in your free time, or art? Volunteering someplace?</p>
<p>Edit - I was a bit late, but at least you worked it out!</p>