DEAR ABBY: I have been playing the piano for five years and I still enjoy it. But over the past year and a half, going for lessons every week and having to practice is getting old for me. In fact, I'm beginning to loathe it. It's not the teacher, it's not my parents -- it's me. I'm just over all of the weekly lessons and having to REMEMBER to practice. My heart isn't in it anymore. What do you think I should do? -- RYAN IN MICHIGAN
DEAR RYAN: You should talk to your teacher about it. After five years of weekly lessons and diligent practice, you should have a pretty solid musical education by now. You may need to take a break, change teachers or even change instruments. Your teacher may have a broader perspective on this than you do, so take your guidance from the pro.