FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Play The Piano

Question:
I'm wondering what you would say about the possibility of beginning to play the piano at age 20. I already have some experience playing clarinet and basson. But some people (like my mother - not very encouraging) told me that anyway I probably won't be able to get to the level of being able to play the more dificult of the classical compositions fluently and (almost) without mistakes i.e. at the level of participants in the major competitions Of course, it depends on my own ability, but will the age be a handi-cap-ing factor? will it make it very unlikely for me to advance as far as I would have if I began earlier? It would be comforting to know examples of prestigious pianists that began learning to play the piano at at least the same age. If access to recordings was not so easy, I would have been more inclined to begin earlier. And I think that in general if this is an effect on many people, that is very unfourtunate, and shows how convenience - which is greatly prized - can make people passive; even incapable of expression because they haven't developed any means.

Answer:
Music is all about enjoying to play or to listen to music. Starting to play at a later age has two disadvantages: * you usually learn faster when you're young * your musical taste has evolved and you're probably less easily satisfied with playing simple tunes On the other hand I've seen a lot of people that are more motivated and this could very well be the decisive factor. In any case there is only one recommendation I can give: enjoy! I you're having fun making music don't let anyone spoil the fun you have - certainly not the comparison with professional musicians and top-quality CD's - listen, be inspired, not jealous.