How many times do I have to play the piano before I'm good at it?

Answer 1

Know that the wonderful thing about playing an instrument is the same as learning a new skill or sport. You will get whatever you put into it. I have been a musician (drummer) since I was 10...I am now 40. I am very skilled as a musician but that is only because I love playing the drums and I have put many years into learning and mastering that instrument.

If you are playing the piano because someone else wants you to play it (like a parent) then you probably won't find the same enjoyment as you would if you chose your instrument. If you want to improve at something you will only if you put that mindset into action. Just hoping that you want to get better won't make it happen.

Music can become your best friend. It becomes a part of you and no one can take it away from you. It is a wonderful part of the world that still has the ability to unite people and bring them together in so many ways. Keep on playing and you will get better. I promise.

Answer 2

to become a good pianist, first of all, you should love music. Realise that a piano is 'only' an instrument in the litteral sense of the word : something you use to make music live again through you. If you're deeply convinced of the beauty and deepness of music, that's already a big step.
Second, it needs this specific mix between musical intuition and rational intelligence that people use to call "talent". you will need this for practicing : musical feeling to determine the goal you want to achieve (a coherent, singing, deep piece of piano music), and intelligence to help you think of how to achieve it.
Then you can start to study. I agree with most of the other answerers, saying that it needs a lot of practice. I would like to add however that it is not the quantity of your work that counts, but the quality. There's nothing so idiot like playing something over and over again and thinking that by the 100th time, things will automatically be better. that's false. you can play something masterfully after 3 times, if you have the talent of analysing what exactly is the problem : it might be a fingering, a lack of listening, a problem with the musical construction etc
If you study like this for years and years, think about what you're doing, and, most of all, don't forget to live (have an open mind to other arts, hobbies) and have fun, you will be good at it in the end. good luck ;-)

Answer 3

Practice makes perfect..

Just start with one piece. Keep playing it over and over again until you have it just right. Then work on others. Try going to a music store and finding the music score for songs you like and play those. Eventually you will find yourself getting better and better.

To become fantastic though you have to dedicate yourself to it and take lessons and learn about music and music theory and other things like that.

But - one thing to warn about - over practicing is not good either. You need to LOVE the piano to make it work for you. Your feelings are very important and that is the hardest part of making music - letting your love for the music show through your works.

You can be good at playing a piano in just a few short weeks. You can be great at it in the same time too. To be fantastic though may take a lifetime. It all depends on your dedication.

If you are bored, spacing out, dont like it, not playing music you like, you may find it takes years to become "good".

Answer 4

It really depends on how much you love piano. You can get better at anything quicker if you really apply yourself to it and just plain enjoy it. But for me.. it took 2 hours a day (except for sundays) for 6 years before I was considered advanced. Different people move at different speeds too though.

I would encourage you to not only play songs that are on your worksheet but also songs that are really fun for you to play. Maybe you like romantic songs or blues. Even though you get to a point where harder songs are better for you.. you may be surprised to find yourself enjoying the easy songs more. Just because you can rip them out in a little bit and play your heart out. I can't express how important it is to spend at least ten minutes of your practice time playing songs that are really only for your enjoyment. Some that are really fun would be famous songs you can sing while playing and reading the words in between the notes!

Good luck with your playing!

Answer 5

Can you play the simple stuff well yet? If so then you are good at it! Master the simple stuff to build confidence, then move on to harder pieces. Don't bite off more than you can chew or you will become discouraged and give up. It's a slow process to build your musical skills, your timing and your technique.

By the way, don't practice too much! This can lead to injuries. You have to take time off for your muscles to renourish themselves and regenerate. If you do this you will notice something magical called "post practice improvement".

Answer 6

you will die practising if you want to keep on playing. There is not being "good" at piano. "The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement" says my mum. And get this: when u are older and have a perfect ear and can play tones right after u hear them on the radio and can read music at first sight and everybody loves how you play...YOU STILL WILL HAVE TO PRACTISE!! because, sadly, our fingers lose their ability if we dont keep on training. I know this for a fact =( Mozart practised hours a day!! good luck!

Answer 7

It takes years to be "good" at piano. It's different for everyone, but to be very good at piano, it takes more than ten years for some.

Answer 8

Practice is absolutely necessary. Get the notes right and notice the rhythm and key signatures. Play slowly with the right hand and left hand separately then combine. Believe me, it works wonders. Also pay attention to fingering.

Answer 9

How are you defining good?
There's good as in being able to pick up pop sheets and play them, and then there's baroque classical good! They're entirely different, and both good in their own right.

Believe it or not... the parents & teachers were right. Practice, practice, practice. Pick things that you love to spend time on, because then it isn't as hard.

Answer 10

As many times as it takes until you're good at it.