is there anyone that started piano late and managed to make it a carreer?

[canardroti]

Everyday I wonder if it's suicide, I started when I was 20, I am now 24 am currently going to university hopping to get a degree in music education. When I see the level of pianists here, my jaw drops everytime i hear how well they play and how fast they learn new pieces. It takes me countless hours of practice to get a page done(getting hte notes and playing it expressively). I can't sight read to save my life, even the easiest pieces. It's alot of pressure everyday just to catch up and keep up with the school's expectation. Here's my question...is there really anyone who has made it as a pianist starting really late? i'm talking past 20 years of age. I'm sure at that age the brain works differently than when you're 10 and absorbs so much information without even knowing.
I'm not just talking about being a pianist..but a well rounded musician ( theory, other instruments, well devleoped ear, etc) please let me know if i'm just dreaming or if it's not suicide. Thank you

[lazlo]

At this age if you want to be a concert musician, it is really dependent on how much natural talent you have as much as how hard you work. I started piano when I was 19. I've often thought the same things, but in the end I just practice as hard as I can and that's all you can do. If you come from a previous instrumental background you definetely have a chance I think. I played violin for 12 years before beginning piano, and that has helped me tremendously, but its all challenging.

[ramseytheii]

It does depend, but famous pianists who started their careers - I emphasize the word careers, not practicing - late are Paderewski and Richter.  Many others started when they were in their twenties, and still others started as children or teenagers.

If you live in America, I think the interesting thing is that a person who has achieved something can gain recognition at any random time.  There are people who have been for instance in the journalism business for a long time, or in fashion, and who were unknown, but recently became media personalities.  The cards just fell in the right place.  If you want to be in music, you can't be afraid of obscurity.  If you are afraid of obscurity, you are in the wrong field. 

You might gain recognition and you might not, but you have to accept that it could go either way.  Think of some of these pianists who were ripped off by Joyce Hatto.  I never heard of half of them.  But when I heard some of these recordings, I was really impressed (especially Szimon Transcendetal Etudes).  When did he record those?  Ages ago I think.  And only now is he getting the deserved recognition for his hard work.

Follow the advice in the Gospels which tells us to work without expecting reward: "Does the master thank the servant because he did what was commanded?  So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

Walter Ramsey




Walter Ramsey

[leonidas]

Early starters reach a plateau in their technical ability.

They have a headstart, but by and large they can be caught up with.

Their main advantage is that they have accumulated repertoire in that time, and during gorwing up they have had the time to practice, which late starters may not have, with other duties.

[dmc]

Its easy to get bogged down in the negative possibilities you describe if you think too much.

I went through similar doubts at your age because everyone else seemed to be so much more accomplished.  The things you describe (theory, ear, other instruments, etc) will come with patience and hard work.  But before you get too deep, make sure you doing this for the right reasons.  Determine WHY you are following the path you have chosen &  ask yourself what your expectations are.  If you truly love what you're doing and want to grow in it, you're in the right place.  Its OK to dream of course but if your motivation is only to be famous, you'll be disappointed even if you do make it big.  The successful concert pianists (most of them anyway) all got there because they realized that love what they do.  So the hard work they put in along the way was a labor of love.  Their fame was just a by-product of that.

My father is a physican.  In medicine its often said that the learning never stops.  Its also true in music so if you love what you do, keep an open mind, work hard and things will work out !

[thalberg]

Everyday I wonder if it's suicide, I started when I was 20, I am now 24 am currently going to university hopping to get a degree in music education. When I see the level of pianists here, my jaw drops everytime i hear how well they play and how fast they learn new pieces. It takes me countless hours of practice to get a page done(getting hte notes and playing it expressively). I can't sight read to save my life, even the easiest pieces. It's alot of pressure everyday just to catch up and keep up with the school's expectation. Here's my question...is there really anyone who has made it as a pianist starting really late? i'm talking past 20 years of age. I'm sure at that age the brain works differently than when you're 10 and absorbs so much information without even knowing.
I'm not just talking about being a pianist..but a well rounded musician ( theory, other instruments, well devleoped ear, etc) please let me know if i'm just dreaming or if it's not suicide. Thank you

If it takes you forever to learn a page and you can't sightread and you're 24, I'd say you're in a very difficult spot.   You should for sure take this decision seriously, because I have seen schools let students graduate knowing they have no chance for any success in the real world.  You have to be your own policeman here.  Your piano abilities are obviously way, way behind, but how is your ear? Your theory ability?  Any other instruments?  I have known people who went into conducting or music education who have overcome a late start in the piano area because they were so strong in every other area. 

 I know some excellent choral conductors, for example, who are terrible pianists but they have great ears and a great knowledge of the voice.

However, IF you feel you could be genuinely happy in some other occupation, IF you have a secondary passion, I'd say go with that and you'll have a lot more peace of mind.  Music careers are tough.

[kard]

hey everyone, first post (long time reader)   

I have the same set of worries..only im still in high school. I am pretty proficient, but a little short of what college auditions would require (i can tackle some of the level 7+8 stuff here)
Im pretty sure if i put a good, solid year into practicing and theory, i would be prepared, but i have no support basically (parents, proper teacher etc.) so its like..a hassle whenever i bring music up. so i plan to do something else till i can support myself. so heres basically where i ask the same question as the OP... im a bit worried that if i dont go for it now, ill lose my way by the time i can support myself.

[lazlo]

One of my friends was rejected from every music school he applied to his first time, (oberlin, CIM, Eastman, SF conservatory, Peabody... ect. ect.). He took a year off and then got in everywhere, including Julliard. So you just have to decide if your going to give up or go for it.

[mattgreenecomposer]

OH CONARDROTI I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!

I started when I was about 22.  I did almost the exact same thing you did.   I was so far behind everyone else and had to totally bust my arse just to keep up everyweek.  I was a terrible sight reader and piano lab was a complete humiliator every week.  But you know what ...I stuck it out and now I'm a proffesional musician/composer for a living and most of those people either quit, got pregnant, or totally suck now cause they don't practice anymore.
I don't play piano for a living (as in a concert pianist) but I do gigs, teach, compose for money and have a small recording studio---bottom line is I pay my mortgage everymonth on time doing nothing but music.  Im not wealthy but I get to sleep in and set my own hours etc.  So you have to ask yourself is it worth it?  Some perks out weigh lack of $$$$ for some people.
I'm 30 now.  Im not going to lie though, practice was brutal.  Sometimes I would skip class because I would practice all day at home.  Literally all day, so I could keep up...
well I hope this helps...good luck.

[canardroti]

Hey Matt, thanks for your input, very inspiring. I checked your website and enjoyed your compositions. You also play very well, I'd be satisfied doing what you do for a living if I could. I still go to my classes heh, and practice alot as well, I barely sleep but I got used to it now. I hope your input has also inspired other late starters as well, thank you so much.