I play both organ and piano, though most of my time is spent on the piano. I'm a church organist and choir director and my degree from Westminster Choir College, Princeton is in organ performance. I also spend my practicing time at home learning new pieces mostly from the Romantic composers such as Chopin and Liszt. I love Romantic piano music.
I saw on Youtube yesterday a student taking his level 8 piano exam. The British system is somewhat different than in the U.S. I was being groomed to attend Julliard as my teacher was a Julliard Trustee and teacher. I had to jump through similar piano hoops: scales, arpeggios and selected pieces.
Yes, it can be. The incredible pieces are usually terribly difficult to play. I wish I could play everything and I can only play a few pieces. I've been working on Liszt's Liebestraum for months. It's coming but I need to memorize it if I'm going to master it.
Yeah, I love my grandchildren. They're all unique in their own ways. Not a one of them seems interested in music though. My son played guitar for a while but that's about it.