Older Student

[ziuu]

I actually came on to get some information...I am in my early 20's thinking of taking up piano...have a strong desire to learn it...but I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me? Most it so far has been pretty discouraging for me starting this late...I was also wondering where/how I could find a teacher in my area or how I would go about it?

Thanks in advance.

[lazlo]

i started piano when I was 19. I love it. If you practice, you get better. Its purely a matter of attitude. I've been playing for a little over a year now, and am now playing some really great pieces that I enjoy a lot. Its so rewarding, I highly recommend taking the dive. Just be wary of comparison. Don't compare yourself to other people. it isn't constructive.

[ziuu]

so how do i go about finding a teacher?
I heard teachers charge like 20-40$ an hour...i can jus barely afford to go 20$ an hour like once a week...and what would i look for in finding a teacher?

[nightingale11]

Hi, Ziuu.

Start to have a look here:

https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php?PHPSESSID=7281824873422c2b3e470cc094ea95af&topic=2125.msg17864#msg17864
(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. - Bernhrard)

https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2976.msg26082.html#msg26082
(benefits of starting later)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,143.msg35967.html#msg35967
(comparison between adult beginner and a child)

https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3992.msg36199.html#msg36199
(Do children really learn faster than adults?)

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,11617.msg121717.html#msg121717
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then have a look here, I suggest you read it all(in a systematic way) and try it out--this will give you the idea about the effiecient way of practice. When you have done that you should be able to know when you have found a good teacher(Good luck with this one!)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5767.msg56133.html#msg56133
(huge collection of links)

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,9159.msg92755.html#msg92755
(m1469s index of the forum)

[stevehopwood]

A lillte bit of encouragement, ziuu, from a full-time professional teacher.

Of course you can learn to play if you have the persistence to practise. I have taught plenty of students in your age group.

Have fun

 

[garetanne]

Older Student?   

I started playing 18 months ago at 42. 
I'll never make money at it, but I enjoy the time I spend at the piano, and although it is frustrating at times, I can go back and play pieces that I struggled with earlier, so I know I'm improving, bit, by bit. 

I have a friend whose mom is 94 and she says what she enjoys MOST at her age is playing the piano.  I figure by the time I'm 94 I could be half way decent!   

[robertp]

I'd just add one point about teachers. The trick is to find one who knows how to work with adults. It was a major problem for me when I was in the late beginner through early advanced stages. I encountered any number of them who I'm sure were excellent for the younger crowd. But for adults, they simply took what worked with children, period. Doesn't transfer all that neatly. Moreover, adults have various mental issues for which such teachers just aren't prepared.

It's a sorting process; I recall one sretch where I went through three teachers in very short order before I could find one who just didn't recycle from the younger crowd. So be prepared to sort!

It's exactly for such reasons that for *my* teaching I'm going to *only* teach adults.

[electrodoc]

Don't let age put you off. You are still young enough to be able to get somewhere with the piano.

I started at 45 yrs (now 63) and find that I can play moderately advanced works sufficiently well for my enjoyment. I know that I will never be a performer but playing the piano and music in general has been the most absorbing interest. Go for it and do try to find a teacher who specialises in adults. Be prepared for blood, sweat and tears when your fingers will not do what you want but with sufficient practice things will get easier.

I also have two friends, one in early 50's who started about two years ago, and one in late 40's who started about a year ago and who has just gained a merit at grade 1. Not bad for a late starter.

Wishing you all success.

[pars]

I'm 41 (oh dear - just admitting it is sad! ) and I started playing piano just 18 months ago. By six months I had a merit in my grade 1, and now I'm sitting grade 3 in a month or two (No date yet...)  Yikes!! Couldn't do it without my fantastic teacher mind you..

On Tuesday last I played my grade 3 pieces in front of the choir I've just joined (Heavens! sight singing now! where will it all end??), something that six months ago would have been impossible for me. But it went well

Being an older student has it's benefits I'm sure. We have the will to practise consistently, be realistic about what we can achieve, and above all enjoy! I guess I'm doing graded axams because I like a challenge, but also as a benchmark to progress. Certainly the exam pieces are not all that I play.    My advice - for what it's worth - get stuck in! The sooner you start, the quicker you will reap the rewards. But as posted above, it takes effort. Big learning curve, but a fantastic experience,

Good luck with it all.   

[alzado]

As for the cost of lessons, I have been paying about $12 per half-hour lesson.  Half an hour is enough for me, as I am an older person and am largely self-directed.

There are some very competent teachers at modest rates, to include grad students who are working on a degree in performance, etc.   

One woman posted on this forum that she wanted "the best" for her child, and was hiring a faculty member from the university music department to teach her "little Johnny" at about $300 per month.

Waste of money.  Probably spent to procure bragging rights at her next bridge club.

My point -- you do NOT need a genius teacher if you are a beginner.  You just need a competent teacher.