When did you become an advanced pianist?

[littleman713]

I have been taking piano lessons for about two years now and I can see a gradual increase in skill.  (I know that most people start when they are about 5.  I started at 19.) And I figure that at this rate I will not be able to consider myself advanced untill I am about 30!!!

But I am interested to know out there in the piano world when most people considered themselves to be advanced?

Meaning, when could you pick up a piece and play it through, even if not perfectly, or when you could play several pieces from memory without any mistakes, etc... 

[amelialw]

I am an advanced pianist now, probably just became one not too long ago.

[jlh]

September 7th, 1995  3:30PM CST

 

[ramseytheii]

George Szell said that when he was 12, he was fully formed as a musician.  He was a pianist, conductor, and composer.  he later went on to achieve amazing things not only in music but in administration, as anyone who has ever seen the operations of the Cleveland Orchestra both during the year and during the summer can attest - his legacy lives on!

Walter Ramsey

[hic]

If Brahms op. 118 is considered "advanced", then the answer is 1 year, 4 months, and 28 days after first lesson...(want time?)
I started at age 13; old enough to get the theory stuff faster than a 5 yo.

And for u, don't wory you'll be an advanced pianist in no more than 2 years (if you practice often that is)! I promise you will or your refunds back...

[desordre]

September 7th, 1995  3:30PM CST

Thanks, JLH! 
 If my memory is OK, I think I was at home, listening to a CD by The Cure, drinking a cup of Coke and smoking a cigarette when that happened.
 

[ramseytheii]

Thanks, JLH! 
 If my memory is OK, I think I was at home, listening to a CD by The Cure, drinking a cup of Coke and smoking a cigarette when that happened.
 

Smoking is a vital skill towards becoming an advanced pianist.

Walter Ramsey

[themockingbird]

er, still not quite sure what counts as 'advanced'? being able to sight-read what kind of piece?

I am nowhere near on the same level as most people here seem to be, most of the people on this board seem to be practically virtuoso after just playing for a coupe of years (or so you would thing)...if it takes longer than that I wouldn't worry too much, you've got me to keep you company :p

[shingo]

Hey,
I do not consider myself to be at an advanced stage myself yet, maybe the higher end of intermediate. But from my experience you will not suddenly feel any different or witness a massive change very suddenly. Looking back at what I percieved as difficult last summer I can see a lot of progress has been made over the year, but because it is in gradual steps over this period I was not instnatly aware of how far I had come, and with each step comes a new goal, so unless I looked back I would always feel below my aspirations in terms of achieving them.

[littleman713]

September 7th, 1995  3:30PM CST

 

Wow... You remember the exact date and time.    What happened then that made you consider yourself advanced?

[pianistimo]

maybe he broke through some sort of self-imposed barrier (either with a teacher's help or without).  for me, i considered chopin advanced.  therefore (like thalberg) i never asked or wanted to play chopin.  sure, i played the fantasie impromptu and the minute waltz - but it made me feel like a classical juke box and that was in seventh or eighth grade.  then, i heard this passionate rendition of chopin's fantasy in f-minor, opus 49 and figured that whenever i was able to play that - i'd be halfway decent.  also, i have to mention that i NEVEr though i could play the etudes (due to small hands and awkward approach to the etudes) even though i had played a liszt etude and ballade.  i don't know why the mental block.  anyways -several years ago i was tremendously helped by being taught about angling in and out and at different degrees of line towards top notes.  suddenly, i was whizzing along and thought it wasn't even myself.  it was a very happy moment not to stop and start.  and, though i haven't completed the fantasy yet - i am leaning toward understanding what i am doing both musically and technically and hoping that my practice hours will jump here in august to match my desires of repertoire for this year:

chopin fantasie in f-minor
mozart sonata K547
finish barber nocturne
finish chopin etude (definately from memory) opus 10 #1
and, of course, attempt liszt's spanish rhapsody

however, this said - i do not think repertoire alone distinguishes advanced pianists.  i think it is sort of an innate thing you feel when you don't shirk playing for musicians or your piano teacher.  it's easy to get people who don't play to 'ooh and aah' over your playing - but another thing to get critical response.  basically, you have to develop a confidence about what you are doing and be able to explain yourself.

[littleman713]

however, this said - i do not think repertoire alone distinguishes advanced pianists.  i think it is sort of an innate thing you feel when you don't shirk playing for musicians or your piano teacher.  it's easy to get people who don't play to 'ooh and aah' over your playing - but another thing to get critical response.  basically, you have to develop a confidence about what you are doing and be able to explain yourself.

Very nicely said... And I must admit that  at times I do lack the confidence to become an advance pianist.  Especially around recital time. 

[pianistimo]

you're not alone.  that is why, imo, it is imperative to have masterclasses every week (at least once a week) for performance majors.  it is an art in itself to perform.  to be so 'used to the butterflies' that they don't exist.  i am out of practice in this, too, due to not having an audience around when i have a work completed.  but, there are always retirement homes!  they're nice, too, if you make a mistake.

[valor]

i know what you mean. i've been playing for 3 years starting at 14 and i'm beginning to see how long that road is, i think i'll get there alot later though because i'm a slow learner and i have no real teacher.

[wjdgpdbs]

I've always wondered about that question.

I've been playing piano on and off since I was 5 years old. I played Fur Elise when 6 years old. I'm 16 right now and I'm currently learning Fantaisie Impromptu by Chopin. (Which I don't consider a great improvement :/) I could play some of the other pieces and sonatas I've learned by memory and I could play several waltz pieces by Chopin without practicing, although it's not perfect.

But I don't consider myself as advanced. I'm still learning a lot.

[nanabush]

Euh I guess when I was around 15-16.. this is really subjective, I did two chopin etudes and the Grieg sonata around then... I guess that's when :S

[timothy42b]

however, this said - i do not think repertoire alone distinguishes advanced pianists.  i think it is sort of an innate thing you feel when you don't shirk playing for musicians or your piano teacher.   basically, you have to develop a confidence about what you are doing and be able to explain yourself.

The most intimidating thing for me is to look at the congregation on a sunday morning and see six people who play better than I, three of them with music degrees. 

But they're not willing to play and I am.  Out of resentment, I torture them with wrong notes.  <hee, hee> 

[etudes]

when i die 

[m1469]

Well, I know there have been some definitions given on this board about what it means to be an "advanced" pianist and so on.  At this point, I think I don't care as much whether or not I fall into that category or any other one -- I mean, don't get me wrong, I want to be competent -- but, what's more than "compentent" really ?

I think I am constantly striving to be just competent -- not even "perfect" anymore, just competent -- and, in some respect I hope that I will always strive for this throughout my entire career.  If I were to describe the way I *feel* and perhaps *think* about it, I would say I feel as though I am a constant beginner.  Most times this has driven me completely crazy ... but, now, I wonder ... would I really want it any other way ?

Mind you, I don't believe nor have the sense and notion that I am staying in the same spot  .  Perhaps I am a competent beginner -- as I let that echo in me, it seems there is actually quite a bit of confidence in that attitude/concept for me . 

Somehow I am breathing just the slightest bit better now, and maybe I will breathe even better as the day goes on and I ponder this a bit.  It's almost as though a weight is being lifted from me and even the bothersome, constant tension in my neck is being released .

[counterpoint]

There is always so much more to learn compared to what you already know.

So "advanced" can only mean: knowing a bit more and playing a bit better than last week.

[littleman713]

Yes there are many abstract definitions to being or becoming an "advance" pianist. 

But I think we all know that when we hear such artists as Glenn Gould, Andra's Schiff, or Jeno Jando... We know that they have reached the plane we all are searching for: "The advanced pianist".

This is not to fully compare myself to others.  But in a sense we must in order to know where we stand.

[maxy]

Advanced?  I don't think I will ever consider myself as an advanced pianist.

[rob47]

Smoking is a vital skill towards becoming an advanced pianist.

Walter Ramsey

Yup, this is of course true.