age limitations

[liszmaninopin]

I started playing the piano when 12.  I had played the cello for a couple years before that, so I had limited knowledge of music, but age 12 was when I started piano.  How much would that limit my ultimate ability to progress?

[bernhard]

The answer to that question is that no one knows.

However let me approach it from a different angle.

I read somewhere that Daniel Baremboin had stated the following:

“There are no bad students, only bad teachers.”

My initial reaction was : That is rich of him! He probably has a severe scanning procedure and carefully selects whom he teaches. So of course he ends up with all the good students. I truly would like to see him cope with some of my lot!

But then on reflection, he was right. You see, he is not putting forward a scientific statement. He is suggesting a teaching philosophy. As such it is a very good philosophy. Every teacher should approach students with this philosophy: There are no bad students, only bad teachers.

This philosophy, although excellent for teachers, would be disastrous for students. Students need a completely different philosophy (let us call it Bernhard’s corollary, shall we?) Here is a good philosophy for students: “There are no bad teachers, only bad students”.

Now this new philosophy although excellent for students would be equally disastrous for teachers. Both philosophies will generate attitude, and attitude is the single most important factor in learning (or teaching) anything.

Imagine the results of a meeting between a teacher and student that have the appropriate philosophies. And now imagine the consequences of a meeting in which the philosophies have been reversed.

Now back to your original question. It does not matter what is the actual relationship between age and accomplishment. What matters is that the only correct philosophy is to believe that age does not matter at all. If you believe otherwise your own belief will be the source of your limitations.

Not only “age does not matter is a very good philosophy”, as there is no evidence to the contrary and plenty of evidence for it. And if you ever come across any psychological/pedagogical study that says otherwise remember that these guys do not know statistics, they do not know how to plan experiments, and usually their conclusions are false.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

P.S. The only limitation human beings have is death. If you are alive, you can still have hope!

[comme_le_vent]

i started at 16, and i have the most kick ass technique in history. so dont worry - just keep at your godowsky.

[Clare]

I started at 12 too, never EVER practiced, had a totally useless teacher for many years, things were looking hopeless.
Then, I got a kick-arse teacher, learned off her for four years, then passed the auditions to go off to my first-choice conservatorium as a mature-age student.
I think, yeah - teachers are the most important thing in getting good at the piano, and age comes way down the list of importance.

[dj]

when i started with my new teacher (at age 17), he basically had me start from scratch because my technique was all wrong, so i was playing 2-part inventions. after like 4-5 months, im just starting prelude and fugue, and i can play several chopin waltzes, along with mozart and haydn sonatas quite comfortably, and my sight reading has improved considerably.....do any of you guys know how long i can expect this rate of improvement to last? if everything comes this quick, i would say who cares when you start?....however, i've only been serious about piano for a few months so what do i know?

[zhiliang]

Well and for me, i started at 5 years old. Had a not too bad teacher who focused a lot on the phrasing and interpretation of piece. She was never one to emphasize on technique and i didnt do much technical studies or etudes during my learning days execept for the basic scales and appegios. For her, she has quite a natural way of playing which makes me conclude that she also does have this natural facility to play the piano. SHe also put much emphasis on a singing tone and even scales have to be played in s singing manner and not a headlong rush. Well for me, when i become older like now, i feel that there are many flaws in my technique and many things, i am unable to achieve due to the lack in proper training. O course i have improved much musically under her, but the bad habits that i have cultivated, its hard for me to get rid of them.

Sincerely,

Zhiliang