My piano teacher was telling me about some lady was 90 and still giving lessons. She said her ideal death would be to go while waiting for her next student, and the person who found her would be the one who never practices.
Since I don't play anymore, and she moved away anyway, I have a more relaxed attitude about it. I also meet lots and lots of people who studied, but now don't play either.
It really isn't that satisfying for a lot of people, let's face it. If it is for you, that's great and I'm genuinely happy for you. But there's nothing wrong with not wanting to play. It doesn't mean there was any fault in your teachers or your learning methods. Now you pick up your instrument or sit down at it, and everything's difficult. Pieces you used to play are now impossible.
In the old days, playing music and listening to music were much more closely related. Nowadays, you can hear a much better version of the Goldberg Variations than you'll ever manage to play (and if that statement doesn't fit you, I apologize). You can hear guitar solos that you have no hope of ever playing.
Furthermore, your friends most likely don't want to hear you. Once you've made them smile with your Smoke on the Water riff they'll politely move on.
I think it's a good thing to have done. It makes you appreciate the music you listen to, much much more. But if you don't practice anymore, don't feel bad about it.
I think it is important to note that the music that was played by middle and lower class amateurs in the early part of the 20th century (and earlier) was more like This Land Is Your Land than anything as technically difficult as the Goldberg Variations. Group singing (and dancing) was an important component, and mistakes were not really that important.
I spent a bunch of time talking to my Dad who learned to play under those conditions. It is a real difference from the generations that have quality recording by technically proficient musicians easily available.
Since I don't play anymore, and she moved away anyway, I have a more relaxed attitude about it. I also meet lots and lots of people who studied, but now don't play either.
It really isn't that satisfying for a lot of people, let's face it. If it is for you, that's great and I'm genuinely happy for you. But there's nothing wrong with not wanting to play. It doesn't mean there was any fault in your teachers or your learning methods. Now you pick up your instrument or sit down at it, and everything's difficult. Pieces you used to play are now impossible.
In the old days, playing music and listening to music were much more closely related. Nowadays, you can hear a much better version of the Goldberg Variations than you'll ever manage to play (and if that statement doesn't fit you, I apologize). You can hear guitar solos that you have no hope of ever playing. Furthermore, your friends most likely don't want to hear you. Once you've made them smile with your Smoke on the Water riff they'll politely move on.
I think it's a good thing to have done. It makes you appreciate the music you listen to, much much more. But if you don't practice anymore, don't feel bad about it.