Piano Forum
Piano Board => Student's Corner => Topic started by: toby1 on June 24, 2012, 11:39:10 AM
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Has there ever been a pianist who started lessons in their 20s or later and became a professional concert musician?
Or is it something that is limited to the child prodigies. I'm curious if there has ever been an "Old prodigy" or whether it's possible to achieve a really high level of piano playing while starting late in life.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Cicoria
Is close perhaps but I'd like to get to a near professional level without the lightning if possible.
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Hey, that's the guy I was thinking of. That tv special is around somewhere online. I bet that's all that guy will be known for. And the documentary said his wife left him.
I would say it's very doubtful. Yes, someone can become good, a decent accompanist, but they're very, very likely not going to be an international recording artist.
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I'm thinking the hit by lightning makes a great story and that perhaps he just practiced a lot.
Maybe if I dedicate myself with intensity for the next twenty years I will be able to become very good if not international quality? Assuming that I can manage serious practice for twenty years and have a full-time career. I would only be 48 then :P
Yes, I suspect that the opportunity to even make the kind of connections necessary to be able to earn money as pianist at concerts is for me unlikely to happen. Maybe I can practice a lot and then become a background musician at a hotel or restaurant like David Helfgott did in his younger days.
Anyways, I better get back to the keyboard and do some more practice, eh :D
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I think it changed the wiring in his brain a bit. It's in the documentary. He came home from his doctor job and practiced late into the night.
We can always improve. That's for sure.
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Has there ever been a pianist who started lessons in their 20s or later and became a professional concert musician?
Or is it something that is limited to the child prodigies. I'm curious if there has ever been an "Old prodigy" or whether it's possible to achieve a really high level of piano playing while starting late in life.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Cicoria
Is close perhaps but I'd like to get to a near professional level without the lightning if possible.
James Rhodes
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Some sketchy stuff happens sometimes when you get hit on the head or struck by lightning.
Have you heard of the guy who got hit on the head with a baseball, then was able to remember the weather of every day for like 40 years?
Something like that...