Was Andy Unreasonable? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Madame X · 09-12-2007, 10:44 PM

In "Opie's Piano Lesson," season 7, was Andy unreasonable to make Opie practice the piano for 2 hours a day? It was right during football practice and a child's prime-time: 3:30-5:30.

I started playing the cello (my first instrument) in 4th grade. My mom made me practice 1/2 hour a day and it was torture. It sounded like I was sawing a moose in half with a hacksaw. I ended up playing it for 9 years, along with several other instruments I played for 7+ years. If my mom made me practice for 2 hours a day in the beginning, I'm sure I would have bailed.

I can't imagine a grade-school boy sitting still and practicing a piano for 2 hours!

Janice · 09-12-2007, 11:52 PM

I think two hours a day is unreasonable. It takes away from so many other activities, including homework. I took piano lessons, and if memory serves, I had to practice an hour a day, with weekends off. I rarely went the full hour anyway. My parents weren't strict.

AB · 09-13-2007, 04:48 PM

It does sound a little unreasonable, but I guess he figured if he had to pay for the lessons, then he wanted to get his money's worth. lol!

Ireneparalegal · 09-14-2007, 12:26 AM

I so agree with you Stacy. That is not something I would put on my child. By doing that, you are making it seem like work or a chore, rather than something they find entertaining or fun.

Also, Andy annoyed me when Aunt Bee got her new wig. He was DEMANDING she go upstairs and take it off. He was speaking to her like she was a young girl wearing too much make-up. Pfffft.

dav4463 · 09-15-2007, 02:44 AM

Never question the "Greatness" of Andy Taylor!

tdr · 09-18-2007, 07:56 PM

I thought by the title of this thread, the question was if Andy Griffith was unreasonable, not the character Andy Taylor. In either case an argument can be made for yes or for no. I am more inclined toward yes as far as forcing Opie to practice for 2 hours daily, and that right after he gets home from school. I took piano lessons for a year starting when I was 9, and the instructor didn't specify how long or how oftent to practice-- though I seem to recall her telling me I need to practice "more"

. But certainly Opie's arrangement-- decided on by Aunt Bee, if I remember right-- did take away the daily time of fun and recreation for kids that age. And even though the 'coincidence' of a former pro football player suddenly appearing to coach Opie's football buddies and demanding the same practice time seems a stretch, it is true that piano can be practiced at almost any time, while a football team does need daylight, and eagerness for the boys to engage in physical activity after being cooped up in a school classroom is also a help. Andy (if not Aunt Bee) should have understood this. The only thing in Andy's defense IMO is that he warned Opie about learning music and the need for much practice and the propensity for kids to let themselves be distracted from it.

09-12-2007, 10:44 PM	#1
Madame X Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,831	Was Andy Unreasonable? In "Opie's Piano Lesson," season 7, was Andy unreasonable to make Opie practice the piano for 2 hours a day? It was right during football practice and a child's prime-time: 3:30-5:30. I started playing the cello (my first instrument) in 4th grade. My mom made me practice 1/2 hour a day and it was torture. It sounded like I was sawing a moose in half with a hacksaw. I ended up playing it for 9 years, along with several other instruments I played for 7+ years. If my mom made me practice for 2 hours a day in the beginning, I'm sure I would have bailed. I can't imagine a grade-school boy sitting still and practicing a piano for 2 hours!

09-14-2007, 12:26 AM	#4
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	I so agree with you Stacy. That is not something I would put on my child. By doing that, you are making it seem like work or a chore, rather than something they find entertaining or fun. Also, Andy annoyed me when Aunt Bee got her new wig. He was DEMANDING she go upstairs and take it off. He was speaking to her like she was a young girl wearing too much make-up. Pfffft.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

09-12-2007, 11:52 PM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I think two hours a day is unreasonable. It takes away from so many other activities, including homework. I took piano lessons, and if memory serves, I had to practice an hour a day, with weekends off. I rarely went the full hour anyway. My parents weren't strict.

09-13-2007, 04:48 PM	#3
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	It does sound a little unreasonable, but I guess he figured if he had to pay for the lessons, then he wanted to get his money's worth. lol!

09-15-2007, 02:44 AM	#5
dav4463 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 18, 2003 Location: texas Posts: 252	Never question the "Greatness" of Andy Taylor!

09-18-2007, 07:56 PM	#6
tdr Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Posts: 1,454	I thought by the title of this thread, the question was if Andy Griffith was unreasonable, not the character Andy Taylor. In either case an argument can be made for yes or for no. I am more inclined toward yes as far as forcing Opie to practice for 2 hours daily, and that right after he gets home from school. I took piano lessons for a year starting when I was 9, and the instructor didn't specify how long or how oftent to practice-- though I seem to recall her telling me I need to practice "more" . But certainly Opie's arrangement-- decided on by Aunt Bee, if I remember right-- did take away the daily time of fun and recreation for kids that age. And even though the 'coincidence' of a former pro football player suddenly appearing to coach Opie's football buddies and demanding the same practice time seems a stretch, it is true that piano can be practiced at almost any time, while a football team does need daylight, and eagerness for the boys to engage in physical activity after being cooped up in a school classroom is also a help. Andy (if not Aunt Bee) should have understood this. The only thing in Andy's defense IMO is that he warned Opie about learning music and the need for much practice and the propensity for kids to let themselves be distracted from it.