Age to Skill comparison

[notmello928]

HI i was just wondering what some poeple think of my abilities at my age and where i am at playing that piano. I am 14, 15 in september. I took piano lessons for 7 years and have been playing about 8 or 9. YThe latest song  I have succesfully mastered is Sinding's Russle of Spring which took about 2 months. I am surrently learning variouse other peices, such as Liszt's Leibestraum and and have ust recently (as a couple of days now) started to learn Balakirev's Islamey. And i am about done with the 1st page at about 1/3 the correct speed (mkind you only playing it about 10 min day). If some history of my playing would be helpfull i played FurElise in about 2 months when i was 8, about a year after i started lessons. As i stated in my last post i am NOT bBRAGGING! I do not mean to try to seem big and very talented. I underdstand i may not conquer Islamey but i only half expected to. I am just wondering how people thing i sit skill wise, like below average, average aabove average or very advanced for my level. THanx!   

[alzado]

You should be very proud of yourself.  You are doing wonderfully. 

Do you really enjoy it?

Good luck to you--

[pianohopper]

Word to the wise -- nobody is going to conquer Islamey with only ten minutes of practise a day. 

It is very difficult to gauge piano playing ability as compared to peers since there's not so much exposure to other pianists of your age unless they are either your average (lousy, recreational) pianist that play in your teacher's recital, or a "prodigy" featured in a PBS special.

[markov]

You are doing well.  Better than me.  I'm 14, turning 15, and I'm working on
Bach's Goldberg variations
Beethoven's Tempest
Chopin's Torrent etude no.4, op.10
Debussy's Jardins sous la pluie (funny how they're all rain-related)
and I will be starting Brahms second piano concerto.  It's a jump... and hopefully, just hopefully I wont kill it.

[grazioso]

Concentrate on how well you play the pieces not how hard the pieces are. that is the way to master the piano

[Kassaa]

You are doing well. Better than me. I'm 14, turning 15, and I'm working on
Bach's Goldberg variations
Beethoven's Tempest
Chopin's Torrent etude no.4, op.10
Debussy's Jardins sous la pluie (funny how they're all rain-related)
and I will be starting Brahms second piano concerto. It's a jump... and hopefully, just hopefully I wont kill it.

Doing the Brahms is just retarded IMO, you'll definately kill it. Wait a few years before you're going to play the Brahms Concerto.

[e60m5]

lol @ this thread

[raffyplayspiano]

seriously, whats up with this thread?

   lol


raffy

[da jake]

I played the Goldberg Variations flawlessly by ear aged 6 after hearing a recording it only once. By 7, I sightread all the Scriabin sonatas in one sitting.

Today, aged 9, and already the greatest pianist in history, I feel it is my right to use the Wanderer Fantasy to blow my nose, and The Art of Fugue as toilet paper.

[Dazzer]

oh stop it you're depressing me

[da jake]

Your sarcasm detector could use a tune-up. 

[BoliverAllmon]

or get a new one.

[jeremyjchilds]

Concentrate on how well you play the pieces not how hard the pieces are. that is the way to master the piano

That is the most sensible thing anyone has said in this thread...

[minimozart007]

Concentrate on how well you play the pieces not how hard the pieces are. that is the way to master the piano

'Nuff said.

[llamaman]

You played Fur Elise. By yourself. In 2 months. At age 8. Right..........

I learned that piece 5 months ago, and it's just about completed right now. I started learning it before I had lessons, and I had so many things to correct I can't list them here.

And you managed to play it well without any instruction when you were 8 in almost half the time It took me to, when I was 3 years older? Something seems fishy.

[BoliverAllmon]

You played Fur Elise. By yourself. In 2 months. At age 8. Right..........

I learned that piece 5 months ago, and it's just about completed right now. I started learning it before I had lessons, and I had so many things to correct I can't list them here.

And you managed to play it well without any instruction when you were 8 in almost half the time It took me to, when I was 3 years older? Something seems fishy.

yeah you suck. LOL J/K

[gorbee natcase]

I think your a verry nice person you are unassuming, polite, and doing very nicely with your piano practice, are you happy drive hard play hard practice hard and drink hard they are my life phylosophy keep it up and going its all good, you are in an excellent position as you are young set yourself some goals and reach them and most importantly please don't let your current pieces get forgotten soooooooo important and so easily done keep on top of them write your pieces that you can play
down, thats your repertoir, add to it and build it up, thats the way to go,

[jeremyjchilds]

I think your a verry nice person you are unassuming, polite, and doing very nicely with your piano practice, are you happy drive hard play hard practice hard and drink hard they are my life phylosophy keep it up and going its all good, you are in an excellent position as you are young set yourself some goals and reach them and most importantly please don't let your current pieces get forgotten soooooooo important and so easily done keep on top of them write your pieces that you can play
down, thats your repertoir, add to it and build it up, thats the way to go,

Gorbee, that was so nice...I am glad that there are nice people like you on this forum

[pianowelsh]

Well i am quite open about the fact i was not tackling such pieces at your age and i just graduated from a National conservatory - so if you keep up you should be on track to do ok! Sounds like you are like me and have moments of repertoire madness ( i refer to islamey) dont expect to give a fully polished performance of this work for at least another 4 years of hard work i have heard several quite good pianists shipwreck with this one so better to play safe in my opinion but dont let that ever stop you learning pieces for your advancement. The great teacher Cortot always used to emphasise that it is beneficial to let a student work at pieces that are obviously too hard for them right now because it really does bring on your musical skills and you learn how to problem solve so much better and that helps you to learn easier pieces quicker. He was very careful to say however that when you play in public you should always be well in control of your repertoire. Rustle of Spring is really nice piece - good job! You have been advised well to keep up pieces you have learned (your repertoire) this is important, this is difficult, this IS best done when you have a reason for doing it... organise little concerts for friends or relatives etc or take some festivals and force yourself to bring out pieces you have previously learnt....if you dont use it you loose it!

[pianohopper]

Why are you people still replying?  This user has not posted since July 23rd!  Obviously he has lost interest, and ... the fact that he said he "isn't bragging" is quite an obvious clue he only wants attention and praise.

[llamaman]

That and that he surely is bragging. Just like when people say:

Simply type your e-mail password here and I will send you a link to a page that lets you get money. I swear it's official. IT's NOT A SCAM!!

[perfect_pitch]

You played Fur Elise. By yourself. In 2 months. At age 8. Right..........

It could be possible... I mean, some people have perfect pitch to the point where they can mimic any recording within minutes.... I know, because I can do it.

I performed Fur Elise within 3 months of starting lessons, and I did it damn well. (I'm not trying to brag, I swear, but when you realise what the human mind is capable of, it astounds you).

and Llamaman... how much money you getting from that scam.....I mean scam... NO NO i mean..... I'm pretty sure it's a scam. 3c a day? OK. Just for fun... here is my e-mail: reaper_man2004@hotmail.com

[jeremyjchilds]

Why are you people still replying?  This user has not posted since July 23rd!  Obviously he has lost interest, and ... the fact that he said he "isn't bragging" is quite an obvious clue he only wants attention and praise.

Ha!

so true

[clef]

I've just turned 15 and i am playing:

Gigue by Johann Ludwig Krebs
Six Progressive Pianoforte Sonatinas by Muzio Clementi
Escenas romanticas No. 6 by Enrique Granados
Time's Up from Jazzin' Around 5 by Kevin Bailey
and Beethoven's Sonatina, Op. 49, No. 2

that is the type of music that i am currently playing, but i will be moving onto harder things very soon. 

how behind am I? 

[llamaman]

I'd say about grade 5 ABRSM

[jeremyjchilds]

I've just turned 15 and i am playing:

Gigue by Johann Ludwig Krebs
Six Progressive Pianoforte Sonatinas by Muzio Clementi
Escenas romanticas No. 6 by Enrique Granados
Time's Up from Jazzin' Around 5 by Kevin Bailey
and Beethoven's Sonatina, Op. 49, No. 2

that is the type of music that i am currently playing, but i will be moving onto harder things very soon. 

how behind am I? 

Behind what!!??

There are a lot of people who are playing harder songs at your age...so if you want to be the next child prodigy....

The fact that you did not say that you are working on Fantasie impromptu and La camp...leads me to respect your asssesment of where you are, and respect your maturity

The only thing you should be comparing yourself to is Where you want to be Depending on your goals, you are either almost there or nowere close.

That the beauty of it

[nanabush]

You can play entire Waldstein at 14?  When I was fourteen I was learning prelude/fugue in C minor by bach, and fille aux cheveux de lin..

[pianohopper]

You can play entire Waldstein at 14? When I was fourteen I was learning prelude/fugue in C minor by bach, and fille aux cheveux de lin..

No, not the entire thing.  Just the first movement, prety poorly, and it took me a long time to learn.    and 15 my technique is crap. 

[da jake]

If you had told 14 year old me that I'd be playing piano one day, I'd have said "I'm already too old".

Silly 14 year old me. 

It's NEVER too late to start. Taking lessons was the best thing I've ever done with my life (thought this might take second place one day when I finally find a girlfriend.)