starting too(?) late

[10Fingers]

Hi fellows,

my brother wants to take piano lessons, i wouldn't mind but he's already 14 years old and dreams to be able to play some chopin etudes some time. do think he can reach that? i know it doesn't count at which age you start, the main thing is you love playing the piano, but i'm afraid he might be dissappointed concerning his technique.

would be pleased to receive some answers.

greetings.

[SteveK]

Tell him to go for it!! Who knows he may become a great pianist!!! Or he may change his mind. Whatever the case he won't be able to say he didn't try. I had some lessons when I was eight; but only started getting serious when I was 13. So I think 14 is a good age to start!

[jeff]

I don't think 14 is too late. I started at 14 I've been  playing for a little over 4 years and I'm starting college this year, doing music. A lot of it does depend on motivation and love for playing. And getting a good teacher. I think I'm just about at the level for being able to do chopin etudes.

[tosca1]

14 too old to start learning the piano? No way. His love of music and application will determine how far he will go.  It will be certainly more difficult than starting at 5 or 6 but he still will be able to enjoy a lifetime of music making and be able to tackle most of the piano repertoire if even for his own personal enjoyment rather than recital standard performance.

Encourage him!

[Borut]

There is an EPTA (European Piano teachers Association) international piano competition ongoing in Zagreb these days, and one of the yesterday's contestants in the first stage, a 29 year girl from Korea, reportedly started playing when she was 18. Her repetoire included 3 Scarlatti Sonatas, Chopin's op. 10 #4, 5, 6, 8, and 12, Debussy's L'isle joyeuse aside from the obligatori Bach transcriptions. If she makes it to the second stage, she is supposed to play 2nd and 3d Scherzi by Chopin, Scriabin's Sonata-Fantasy #2 op 19, Waldstein Sonata and more. In the finals, if she ever made it, she would play Chopin's Concerto #2. How about that?!

[tosca1]

Borut's reply is inspirational for all adult learners.  There are many adults who began piano lessons as a child, fell by the wayside, but in later life  want to start learning again.  Borut's words are very encouraging for these people who so often lack confidence in their ability but love music and could derive wonderful enrichment from piano playing.

[10Fingers]

Okay, you all have convinced me. His talent will deermine whether he'll be a good musician. keep going on like this!

greetings from berlin.

[Borut]

Thanx Robert! That's just what I intended to do.  

[Hsakarp]

Never too late to start. I started 9 months ago at age 34. I'm an avid classical music listener since my pre-teen days. Ove started playing Fur elise and Mozart K545 now and expect to continue to build my repertoire over the next few years. I think the key is plenty of practice, enthusiasm and patience!!!

Go for it and keep at it!

[artist]

I too, started taking piano lessons only at age 14. I had to start technique and scales from the beginning. I also began to think that I started too late and would never "catch up" to students who had started as small children.
I went on to major in piano during which time  I perforned Chopins' Op. 10  #3, and #4 Etudes in recital. Today I'm an adult, and I'm learning Liszt's Mephisto Waltz for performance.
It can be done. Ambition and driven dedication can achieve miraculous results!

[10Fingers]

tanks everyone for these encouraging answers!

Thi.

[thomas_williams]

It is encouraging to hear of successful musicians who did not get an early start.  Although I got started at the age of six and was always interested, I did not accomplish what I wish I had at an early age.  When I was about nine or ten I practically stopped advancing on the piano and for several years didn't learn much.  I am not at a very advanced level (e. g., the only significant Chopin piece I have played is the Raindrop Prelude) but I am serious about music and am trying to move on.

Your brother has a worthwhile goal-- to play great music (and hopefully play it well) --and I will say he should be encouraged to pursue this.  Too late to start? I doubt it.

[rach17]

My teacher started when he was 14 and went to Eastman conservatory!  I don't think you ever get too old to enjoy playing music.

[willcowskitz]

I started less than a year ago and am able to enjoy the music I play. My teacher is amazed, but I think the secret is STRONG will and motivation and practice. (I pretend to play when I'm not even at the piano by knocking my fingers against a table or when I go to sleep I imagine the keys and try to play)

Definitely, without any doubt, tell him to go for it.

[thomas_williams]

YES!  GO FOR IT!

[amee]

Dear 10Fingers:
I think your brother should definitely go for it!  14 is not to late to start, and maybe if he doesn't start now, he'll look back later and wish he had started when he was 14.