Can you master the piano even if you start learning to play it at an old age ?

Answer 1

I started when I was 7, so I suppose it was easier for me to learn. I'm 15 now and I have finished the Royal Conservatory for piano, so it all depends on how much time, effort and practice you are willing to put in. Piano is a great instrument to play and I highly recommend you pursue this endeavour, no matter what the challenges.

If you are new to music in general (meaning you don't know notes, measure, time, tempo) then I suppose you will have to work harder than most to master the piano.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

It's never to late to learn an instrument. Although "mastering" it may be difficult. Becoming a advanced player of any instrument takes time. So, the later you start the more work you'll need to do to be able to advance at a faster pace. Another concern with piano would be when arthritis starts to set into the hands. Piano involves a lot of flexibility in the fingers and tendons of the hands. As you get older you may lose this flexibility. Learning an instrument can be a very rewarding endeavor, even if you don't "master" it. Go for it, and have fun!

Answer 3

Yes. However, I don't know what you mean by "master." You can learn to play very well, but even people who have played since they were toddlers have never mastered it.
There are several things you will need to know though.

1. You need to be very patient. You will probably start out with very simple melodies, and find them very difficult. However, if you keep practicing, you will get better in no time.
2. Piano has a way of making people feel very uncoordinated. This isnt just a problem for pianists starting when they're older. Actually, i think older pianists progress more quickly because they already have more hand eye coordination, they can read, and they can remember more.
3. If you get really impatient with the simple melodies, you can always learn to play chords. Every song is made up of chords... you just need to learn to play the chords and you can play anything. It is a quicker way to sound good fast, but you will probably want to learn melodies too because you won't get any better in chords if you don't.

Answer 4

This is possible, but not all that easy. And it depends on the kind of music you most want to learn to play. In order to give yourself a fair chance at accomplishing this, you will need to find a good teacher (someone with experience teaching adults), practice faithfully, and stick with it for many months.

I speak from personal experience, having begun taking piano lessons when I was 40. The first couple of months were especially discouraging and frustrating. I seemed to have virtually no control over over my fingers--they simply wouldn't do what I wanted them to do, and having to play entirely different notes with each hand seemed totally impossible. It was only by sheer determination and practice that I gradually began making some headway.

Part of the trouble was that I didn't want to just play scales or "baby" pieces--I wanted to play BACH! If I had been less ambitious, I probably could have gotten some real satisfaction much earlier by learning to play less demanding stuff. To make a long story short, I took lessons for 7 years, and eventually have been able to master some moderately demanding pieces by Bach and other Classical composers.

I can't honestly say that I play very well, but good enough to satisfy myself--which is what this is really all about, anyway!

Answer 5

I was wondering this myself- I am 23 (almost 24) and just decided to pick up the piano last week. I teach at an after school program where we have a piano and some of the students (as well as other teachers) there are so inspiring. I think that's the first think you need to find- your inspiration.

Obviously it goes without saying that you have to practice, practice, but I believe it takes more than that. IT's a willingness and a determination. I think it's tougher being older- you dont absorb things as quickly as say when you are 6, but it also has its advantages.

I found the following website to be really helpful in picking up the basic scales and chords (its too boring and lets face it- we're too old to start with mary had a little lamb)

http://www.hearandplay.com/beginner-piano-lessons

Goodluck and have fun!

Answer 6

You can, of course. There are many examples of famous concert pianists who took up the instrument in their late teens, in their twenties, or even their thirties!

However, I'd like to provide an answer which is different from all the others. An explanation of why learning the piano at a young age is favoured:

1. Young children are purported to be able to grasp concepts more easily. This could be because they are unfettered by preexisting prejudices and notions. This is not, of course, an iron-clad rule.

2. Older students have more pride. They are more likely to feel embarrassed or ashamed when they play badly, and that can lead to a dislike of playing in front of others. They are also more likely to compare themselves (unfavourably) to great masters, which is of course unrealistic.

3. Many easy pieces which are intended for teaching sound 'kiddy' or childlike. In fact most of them are written for young children in mind. Older students may be reluctant to play them.

Therefore, you have to get around these limitations to be able to master the pieces. Practise more, check out the classical or pop repertoire for pieces which you like to play, and don't expect results overnight.

Answer 7

Yes, you can learn piano at almost any age. Master? Um... depends on your personality. I've been playing piano since I was 8 (I'm 17 now) and I love to practice and play. I'm at a 5+ playing level but unfortunately, i'm at a 3a (a mediocre level) reading level. Define master.... if by master you mean play well and impress people, try just messing around with the keys and some chords. After learning a song, modify it. Learn chords mainly, don't focus on physically reading music. If by master you mean playing in a group or with accompaniment, learn to read music, learn rhythmns and time signatures because it'll bite you in the but if you play by ear with someone who depends on your timing, tempo, and structure. One thing to contemplate is your devotion to practice and possibly lessons. If you have to force yourself to practice it may be difficult to master it but if you can find a way to enjoy it you will be more apt to practice more. Remember, you don't actually "play" a song if it's straight from a sheet. Pianists are lucky because while rhythmn is important we don't have to be so precise with our music. For example, in a recent solo I noticed the music didn't tell me to play loud or soft, so I played it loud in one part and softly in another. Analyze your feelings in order to play well and it is deffinately do-able.

Answer 8

Yes. I think that is extremley possible. I have been playing since the age of 7 and although I am okay at it, I know I could be ALOT better.

As long as you are willing to put in the time and dedication you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Some of the best pianists started at an older age.

Just stay focused.

Answer 9

Nobody can master the piano. It's impossible, the thing is so complex! You can, however, learn to play well. You won't be on TV or playing in Carnegie Hall, but you can always entertain the family and it gives you something constructive to do.

Answer 10

You can certainly learn to play - my Dad did, in his late 70's. But to be a master of anything requires more than that. I'd settle for whatever gives you satisfaction. Go for it?