My family hates when I play my flute?

Question

I play the flute and the piccolo, and I'm in 8th grade, and I'm first chair in the symphonic band. I loooove to play the flute and I have All state auditions in a week and I'm soo nervous and I really want to make it. So I practice my etude and scales every day, along with my band music, and stuff my flute teacher gives me. So when I play, my brother tells me to shut up and yells at me all the time because he's trying to play a video game, and my sister comes in and tells me to shut up and stop and tells me everyone hates me and I sound horrible and then she slams my flute on the floor (I have 2 dents) and my mom usually listens but rarely has anything good to say. She just closes her eyes and is like "Oh my god, can you please stop playing for just a minute?"
I'm not bad at all! I'm first chair out of 8 flutes, and my band teacher chose me as the piccolo player because I'm good enough for it. And my sister plays clarinet but she NEVER practices it because she's not serious about band. And one day we had a guest over and I was practicing and I picked up the piccolo and my brother was like "Oh Godddd not that! Nobody wants to freaking hear that!"
What can I do? I feel like crying because they are so mean to me! I'm not even bad! I don't know where else to practice!

Answer 1

dont take it personal. They are being unsupportative. BUT I grew up with a dad who played piano. All freakin day.. then he would inlist my help to push the "record" button while he played. He would play the same song over, and over and over. It drove me NUTS!!! I was so sick of piano music.

My son's father plays bluegrass guitar. He comes home everyday, and starts playing around in the living room, where I am sitting after a long day, and I just want to quiety watch tv. Somehow he thinks it's fine for him to just fiddle around, practice whatever. Being Loud so I can't hear the TV. He takes offense and thinks I don't like his music because I want him to take it to the other room...

This is what happens with many musicans, and their family. You have to share the same audio space. and when you are practicing all the time, it gets old, as does anything. It's different for you because you are playing, making the choices, you are interacting and learning. To others, it's an unfinished song, that doesn't get resolved, the same song over and over..

I'm sorry that they are being so mean about it. I hope that they come to the events you play in and are listening then. You should try to work on them, on finding a spot in the house that is sound proof that you can go to. There are materials that you can buy and find that will help to create a space.. even your room? Remember just because they are not wanting to hear it, doesn't mean you are not good. or that they don't think your good. Maybe it's not their cup of tea, but if you are choosing the path of a musican, then this WILL be an issue for practice... don't they usually have practice halls too, where you can rent a room.. I think you should talk to it with your music teacher. This is a classic issue, he/she will know how to deal.

Answer 2

I kind of have that same problem. Not that they hate it in my family, they just don't like it every day. I would either:



1) Go to a friend's house

2) Go in a room and shut the door and play quietly

3) Go in the basement



If all is lost just tell them that you have to practice, the flute means so much to you and that they make you feel bad when they say things like that. I'm a first chair Clarinet :)

Answer 3

What a shame - typical sisters and brothers.

Of course you have to practise.

Can you ask the family where they suggest

Can you explain that you need ? hours a day practise and could they help you find a slot.



Here some ideas of where to go

Get to school/ college early or late and practise there

A friends house

church (I used to have a key to the church and go there



Here is a challeyour for yor own attitudes

Could it be that you use the practice to get back at the family so soyoiu choose inappropriate times



Good luck with the audition

Answer 4

Do you like rock? Let's say you don't, and no one else in the family except your brother. Hel turn on the radio every day. How would you feel after few days? You'd be annoyed just like they are. Me neighbor practices on his flute or w/e the hell it uses. It started to irritate me after a week and I told him to practice at a friends house or dot play it all day.

Answer 5

That's really sad. I'm sorry :( Maybe you could talk to the people in your family about your frustration and ask them if you could work out a time when you could practice that wouldn't be bothering them. Explain your love of music and your wish to do well at your auditions. They shouldn't be putting you down for doing something that you love to do.

Answer 6

Hhhmm.. This is a pickle. Why don't you take up prostitution and drugs? See which they prefer. Your family sounds like a bunch of asses. You can come play the flute at my house any time. I hope when my son is a teenager his flute playing is the least of my worries.

Answer 7

part of being able to succeed as a muscician,and being able to hear people clap for you comes with a price. when people say it doesnt come easy thats why becuase you have to go through that along with long agonizing hours of pratice,and giving up having fun with freinds and stuff,mabie you can have a family talk and explain that,and try to be understood,and ask for their support,and let them know when you are performing you want them there to be proud of you claping in the audiance.know one has the wright to disrespect your instrament it is an extension of your soul! as far as practice perhaps you can find a diffrent place in the house,or outside,in an evirment that might be more trankwill to you,you need to be relaxed when you pratice! and it is worth it,good luck

Answer 8

i play flute too, and my family hates it. i usually stay late at school and practice in one of our practice rooms. it's a lot more focused than when i practice at home anyways, because i'm not distracted at all.