do you have to start young to make it as a pianist

[PhilDawson]

do you have be a child prodigy to have any chance of becoming a concert pianist? im 19 and started playing last year with some chopin nocturnes,i can now play peices like liszts la campenella and my teacher is now working me towards grade 8 in summer this year she says that i have a natural ability at playing which im happy about but as i play more and more i wish to become a full time player is this worth while??

[Clare]

I think you can start whenever and still become successful. Some advantages kids have are that they have lots of spare time, and that they will end up being able to play difficult things earlier, but only because they got the easier things out of the way earlier too, I guess.

I started late too (well, 11 but that's a lot later than many people) and now I'm studying piano at a conservatorium. I don't see why you couldn't play full-time eventually, and there are lots of options open to pianists than just being a concert pianist.

[djbrak]

Marvis Martin's (opera singer) accompanist started taking piano lessons in his early twenties and is an excellent vocal coach and pianist (accompanist).
I don't see why anyone else can't do it.

Like Clare said, little kids don't gotta worry about bills and paying a mortgage...

[faulty_damper]

IMO, you don't need to start young.  But one benefit of doing so is that you'd be a better sight reader if you started young.  Otherwise, it's like learning how to read novels without the basic foundation.

[hoffmanntales]

I started to play at 19, then I gave it up and spent years in playing pop music. Now, at 38, I'm back to classics and I have to say my enthusiasm is greater than 20 years ago...
Of course I'm not looking for success as pianist (I can only play a couple of hours a day because life now is not like in teen's years!) but, as Clare said, there are many options always open, not least just deeply feeling and enjoying the music you play!

hoffmanntales

[mark1]

Chopin nocturnes and la campenella...only a year of playing...hmmm?

[newsgroupeuan]

im 19 and started playing last year with some chopin nocturnes,i can now play peices like liszts la campenella  

THAT is what I call progress lol!!!  Keep up the good work.

[comme_le_vent]

i was playing sorabji in my 1st week  

[piano-_-ger]

Absolutely not. I think you have the talent to be a really succesful concert pianist. Sure , there may be people that will doubt you along the way, but they are just jealous of your progress. Trust me, I have been ridiculed the same way too. I started at 17 last year, and after one year I manage to acquire a large repertoire that many players take tens of years to practice. Some people like you and me are just born with that natural talent to play piano, so no matter what age you are, go ahead and pursue your dream. Cheers.

[Brandon_Natelli]

I just started (um...  Three months ago).  I am a classical trained trombonist and I wanted to start branching out into the composing world.  And it is a lot easier with piano skills.  I look at the greats, like Mahler and just wish my parents were as supportive.  But then I look at the greats in the trombone world.  Christian Lindberg started when he was 17 and won solo trombone with the London Phil. when he was 19.  This is very encouraging for me.  Just depends on how much you spend at it with beneficial practice.  Good luck, I hope I show your progress!

[CloUd^-^]

piano ger...that was a very mean comment...we can't say they r jealous..pple like us learn faster because we r determined...pple who start young r different...they still do not know what they really want in life...n piano learning is not as easy as u think it is...yes u may b able to play difficult pieces...but can u play it well it enough?is the tonal quality good enough compared to Cds?...try recording ur piano playing n listen to u...u will be surprised...oh btw..i started piano at the age of 14...now i am 16 n taking my diploma soon!~...

[lallasvensson]

yes you have to start young. there are some very rare exceptions though. I believe a genius as Horowitz could have started when he was 50, for the reason that he was a genius. Are you a genius ?
If you ask this question in this forum, i doubt.