Should I give up music entirely?

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   Hello

I dont consider myself as a member of any religions but believe in our one true god, Allah. 

Since I was little I was educated and trained in music
Always thought my musical gift was from god and thanked him for the ability he gave to me. 

Last year I made friend with a muslim friend and he has taught me about Islam ever since and I've started reading Quran, he told me that in Islam practicing music is sin (haram) and I should stay away from it. 
I said to him "how can god dislike music, is it not one of his most beautiful creations in existence?" 
And to that he said, "its up to you, but you can see quite commonly that most musician end up defiling themselves with party, drugs and unclean sexual practices. 

And I sort of agreed with him and didnt play instruments or write music or anything like that for about half a year now. 

But I still cant believe how music is bad in the eyes of Allah, I feel in my heart that my craft and skills in music was a gift given by Allah, do I really have to throw years of study and practice out the window?
If I can control myself and stay firmly away from wrong doings, and make sure the content inside my music is not promoting the works of shaytan, is it still wrong to practice music? 
Why do Christians use hymn and music to praise god but muslims cant? It is written in old testament that ye should use your trumpet, harps and lyre to praise god. We worship the same god, are they not brothers and sisters to us? Is it wrong to participate with them and praise God amongst them? 
Help me please. 