I am 15 now, is it too late for me to start playing piano? How long does it take to be super good on playing piano?
Certainly not too late to start learning. Before answering how long it takes to get "super good" we should set some proper expectations of what exactly does that mean. How are you defining it to mean and what do you want to do with your skill -just enjoy playing beautiful music OR make a living playing OR impress your friends and family? Are you assuming super good means you would be able to read music and play some relatively challenging pieces in a nice musical way or even does that mean you are the soloist with an orchestra at Carnegie Hall? For me, after one year of intensive training, I could play some of Bartok’s Children’s pieces, Bach’s Two Part Invention No. 1, and Chopin’s E minor prelude and just barely play the C# minor prelude. I don’t think I played any of these that well, it probably took another year or two for these to start sounding musically beautiful rather than just the right notes and a reasonably close rhythm. I practiced several hours a day and worked very hard at it but even this isn’t enough to be a "super good" pianist. I would suppose a minimum of 10 years to get quite good plus you would have a little bit of that extra special quality that sets you apart from the others who have been playing for 5 to 10 years. As for what I would define "super good" as being someone who is especially gifted, the piano being a natural extension of themselves, plus a unique or revelatory interpretation and flawless technique, I would say you are too old for that – those are the ones who started when they were four years old. I know some people who have no memory of themselves not playing the piano. Even they aren’t good enough to be that really rare super player (and they know it).
As for finding cheap lessons, you should find a student perhaps in your school or someone in their first years of college to see if they can give you lessons. Also, talk to a good teacher and tell them your money issue and see if they can recommend a star pupil of theirs. Some universities and conservatories offer group classes and those aren’t too expensive. It is a good way to learn some of the basics but of course it isn’t as good as a private teacher who will cater the lesson to your specific needs. Also, don’t forget to ask the parents for help doing this while promising some extra chores in return.
December 23rd, 2009 at 4:50 am
Certainly not too late to start learning. Before answering how long it takes to get "super good" we should set some proper expectations of what exactly does that mean. How are you defining it to mean and what do you want to do with your skill -just enjoy playing beautiful music OR make a living playing OR impress your friends and family? Are you assuming super good means you would be able to read music and play some relatively challenging pieces in a nice musical way or even does that mean you are the soloist with an orchestra at Carnegie Hall? For me, after one year of intensive training, I could play some of Bartok’s Children’s pieces, Bach’s Two Part Invention No. 1, and Chopin’s E minor prelude and just barely play the C# minor prelude. I don’t think I played any of these that well, it probably took another year or two for these to start sounding musically beautiful rather than just the right notes and a reasonably close rhythm. I practiced several hours a day and worked very hard at it but even this isn’t enough to be a "super good" pianist. I would suppose a minimum of 10 years to get quite good plus you would have a little bit of that extra special quality that sets you apart from the others who have been playing for 5 to 10 years. As for what I would define "super good" as being someone who is especially gifted, the piano being a natural extension of themselves, plus a unique or revelatory interpretation and flawless technique, I would say you are too old for that – those are the ones who started when they were four years old. I know some people who have no memory of themselves not playing the piano. Even they aren’t good enough to be that really rare super player (and they know it).
As for finding cheap lessons, you should find a student perhaps in your school or someone in their first years of college to see if they can give you lessons. Also, talk to a good teacher and tell them your money issue and see if they can recommend a star pupil of theirs. Some universities and conservatories offer group classes and those aren’t too expensive. It is a good way to learn some of the basics but of course it isn’t as good as a private teacher who will cater the lesson to your specific needs. Also, don’t forget to ask the parents for help doing this while promising some extra chores in return.
References :
Composer, orchestral performer
December 23rd, 2009 at 5:16 am
Its never to late to learn an instrument. Even at 40s or 50s, anyone can play any musical instrument. If you’re passionate about the piano, about the music it produces, you will be really good at it. Your passion for music drives you to strive more and practice more and to be a good pianist. But it also depends on the practice you give to yourself. If you practice regularly and practice the techniques that are needed and dynamics too, you’ll be a great pianist someday. As for a cheap piano lesson, I guess it would be better to have self study first before any lessons. I myself only had self studies until I knew how to focus correctly on piano. But I also went to a teacher for any advice, though. Just look for your schools, any music teacher will help.
References :
Etudes!
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 am
to the internet
References :