Too old to dream?

[wishful thinker]

I wanted to be a concert pianist when I was a child, but due to lack of organisation (by me and others) is wasn't to be. 
20 years on, have been taking lessons again, and studying (as time permits) for eighth grade.   As an out-take, recently been working on Brahms Rhapsody in G minor (79, 2) and the piano has started singing at me again.   
Question: given time for the practice required (the tricky bit  ) is it ever too late?  Money isn't really an issue...

[canardroti]

Well if money isn't an issue and you have all the free time in the world, I don't see why not.

[freakofnature]

Well, I don't know if it's possible to be playing in these great concert halls all over the world - but there's always the possibility to play somewhat smaller local concerts. I hope I'm getting there, too - I'm 29 now and been playing for only 2 years. But I hope that I'll become good enough to play some concerts in churches or something like that in some years from now...

[tyler_johnson]

Maybe it's too late to dream, but it's never too late to play.

[moi_not_toi]

Rhap 2!!!
You also!!!
Cool!

What fingering are you using for measures 16-20?

[quasimodo]

If I understand well, you don't give up dreaming of concerting, right?
I am of those who believe that whatever your age is, you have the potential to match the required level. Fullfilling it is another story of course, but not impossible.
However, the system is such that you won't be taken seriously if you did not go through the normal path, graduating a fancy conservatory at a young age and stuff.
Now, if money is not an issue, who knows? Maybe you'll be the next Paderewski  ...

[desordre]

Maybe it's too late to dream, but it's never too late to play.

Very true.

(...)However, the system is such that you won't be taken seriously if you did not go through the normal path, graduating a fancy conservatory at a young age and stuff.(...)

I guess that's the easier hard path. Anyway, the standard conservatory-competition-CD points toward standard repertory and standard results (which is another discussion). If you are able to create a very personal pianistic identity, it can work out: sometimes people get a bit tired of listen to the same thing played almost the same way, and a fresh breeze is always welcome.
 

[wishful thinker]

Thanks for your replies.

When I said that money wasn't an issue, I didn't mean that I am loaded, but merely that I do not need to make a living from playing the piano.

So when I was in my teens, I had to decide whether to risk a lifetime of poverty, or being actually in a position to afford a decent piano!

I am a Romanticist at heart; stuff I think that you need some life experience to really be able to do.  So who knows

[quasimodo]

Thanks for your replies.

When I said that money wasn't an issue, I didn't mean that I am loaded, but merely that I do not need to make a living from playing the piano.

Was actually thinking about funding your performances by yourself.

[penguinlover]

Never quit dreaming, that's your motivation.  I am pretty sure I will never give concerts, maybe only a solo here and there, but I still dream.  As far as age goes, I am much older than most of you.  I find it more difficult to keep my concentration going during my practice times.  Then there's the phone, the kids, the TV, the cars, the dog, the cat.........sigh

[starlightjenny]

As penguinlover said: "Never quit dreaming, that's your motivation."

A "Dream" is an important source of your faith and strength in music. Through this, you may turn something "impossible" into "possible".  You are younger than me. While money is not the problem, why not dreaming?

Try your best and have no regret!! 

Looking forward to your success.

[ada]

Don't dream. Just do!

Dreaming is fun but it's ultimately an indulgence, a procrastination and a waste of time. Just start working and don't look back and one day you'll wake up and realise you've achieved your goals.

To quote John Lennon, life is what happens while you're making other plans

[rimv2]

I wanted to be a concert pianist when I was a child, but due to lack of organisation (by me and others) is wasn't to be. 
20 years on, have been taking lessons again, and studying (as time permits) for eighth grade.   As an out-take, recently been working on Brahms Rhapsody in G minor (79, 2) and the piano has started singing at me again.   
Question: given time for the practice required (the tricky bit  ) is it ever too late?  Money isn't really an issue...

You start later, you train your mind to learn faster.

Its never too late...

[kitty on the keys]

To all of you who replied---YOU ARE ALL GREAT PEOPLE!!!!! We must support and encourage each other. Never stop dreaming or making goals for yourself at any age. Surround yourself with good people who will help you make it happen. Have a very good teacher or coach who will see you through your goals. We all need this. I am very happy we can encourage each other--this is a great sight and has been a wealth of knowledge for me---THANK YOU ALL!!

KITTY

[BoliverAllmon]

I think of it like this. Say you have concerto gigs all over this world this year. How many concerti do you need to learn to play them all? Technically just one. The problem is when we think that we have to know 15000 pieces and 40 concerti before we can even think of performing a large concert stage. It just isn't so. Learn what you can as best as you can and everything else will work out just fine.

boliver

[wishful thinker]

I find your replies very encouraging.  When I get home from work, I'll squeeze som more in before dinner 

[leucippus]

I don't believe that age should ever stop anyone.  However health issues can.

If you're in good health and you have the time to practice there's no reason at all that you can't achieve your dream. 

I'm 57 and I'm having severe health problems.  But they aren't due to age, they are merely coincidental.  I have an aunt whose 75 and is in better shape than me because she is quite healthy.

I still decided to learn both piano and violin about a year ago.  I'm making progress on both instruments.  I'm a self-learner but I have had both a violin teacher and an piano teacher tell me that I'm doing things very well and I'm right about where they would expect a one-year student to be.  So maybe I'm not doing as bad as I think.  I only know that I'm not doing nearly as well as I would have done had I started when I was healthy.

I have no desire to perform though.  I just enjoy playing the music for myself.

So if you're able to do it then go for it.  Don't let a number get in your way.

[c18cont]

Go for the best you can do...always.

It may be at a different level than another, but if you attempt the method mentioned earlier, of making your performance different and special, within the bounds of quality, then you will be heard.

I did concerts...but as a choral director... What I did as a pianist, even when I was doing quite a few and my best would better qualify as recitals...Am I sorry? Not on your Life....and I do a bit of dreaming, but I am 67, after all...and now my trouble is in the wrists, which require caution, as I cannot play as much as I would like....so DO IT NOW..

Just go for it...!!!

John Cont