a survey by a piano teacher.......

[go12_3]

Hi, I teach piano and this has been on my mind lately.
 
I want to ask students(or anybody that plays piano for that matter):

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age? 

Thanks!  go12_3

[db05]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?
5 or 6
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?
My parents made me, and I switched teachers until they finally gave up on the idea.
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
Yes, simply lack of interest. I was pretty stubborn. But perhaps I also couldn't read the notes (nearsighted).
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
Not really. It just happened. I was taking this integrated music course as a guitar major and piano was required.
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?
Well technically, I did take lessons at an early age. Maybe a bit later would be better, when I already had glasses on. 

[kytribefan21]

Hi Go.  Here's my response, although I am only a self-taught (or learning) student.

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?  45
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?  I've had a desire for much of my adult life to learn the piano.  I don't know why I didn't start earlier, although until my wife was given a piano 8 years ago or so I did not have one to practice on.
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)  I do not and have not yet had a teacher.  All my lessons are going through the Alfred's adult series of books.  I may take lessons at some point from a teacher, but it is another expense that we don't need right now.
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?  I have only slowed during the summer months since I started.
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?   I deeply regret not taking lessons as a child.  The opportunity was there, I don't have an excuse.  My sister took lessons and became a music teacher/performer like yourself.  Maybe it was sibling rivalry, I don't know.  That is my biggest regret in my life.

I'm probably not the typical student you were hoping for.  I do love the music and only dream about making mine sound good.  Its been a struggle for me and at times I consider stopping and just listening to those that can perform.

[nyonyo]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?

At 7 yr, 3 lessons and quit
At 11 thru 21 yr, 10 years of Electronic organ lesson
At 21 yr, 3 months and quit
At 24 yr, 10 months and quit
At 40 yr, 1 yr 8 monts and still going


2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?

No, never been forced.

3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
between 7 thru 21 yr old, I did not have good teacher. I felt it was a waste of time.

4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again? Yes
.
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?  Yes. I wished I had better guidance.

[go12_3]

Hi Go.  Here's my response, although I am only a self-taught (or learning) student.

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?  45
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?  I've had a desire for much of my adult life to learn the piano.  I don't know why I didn't start earlier, although until my wife was given a piano 8 years ago or so I did not have one to practice on.
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)  I do not and have not yet had a teacher.  All my lessons are going through the Alfred's adult series of books.  I may take lessons at some point from a teacher, but it is another expense that we don't need right now.
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?  I have only slowed during the summer months since I started.
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?   I deeply regret not taking lessons as a child.  The opportunity was there, I don't have an excuse.  My sister took lessons and became a music teacher/performer like yourself.  Maybe it was sibling rivalry, I don't know.  That is my biggest regret in my life.

I'm probably not the typical student you were hoping for.  I do love the music and only dream about making mine sound good.  Its been a struggle for me and at times I consider stopping and just listening to those that can perform.

No, you are a student, any one learning to play piano is a student regardless of age.  What matters is that you love the music and even though it can be a struggle, keep going.  Do not quit.  I have times, I wonder how am I going to learn this piece?  But I take steps at a time each day and I progress, just like many of the students do.  Playing the piano can be a challenge yet the reward can be wonderful.   Best wishes, go12_3

[jgallag]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons? 8 years old.

2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to? I wanted to.

3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?) No. I am now a freshman piano major (Music Education) at Ithaca College. I have had several teachers, though. The first I stopped taking lessons from because we got into an argument (bear in mind that I was about 12 or 13 at the time and hardly at a mature point in life) over a piece I either wanted to play or didn't want to play, and so she told my mom to get another teacher. The next teacher had his studio in a dark alley on the streets of Albany. Nice guy, but a small-town family doesn't go walking around Albany, NY on a regular basis. The next teacher was a student at the College of St. Rose, and one day, I guess for summer break, she didn't show up to lessons. My mom had no clue what was going on, so we left. The next teacher was a kind (though not very skilled) old man at a Hilton Piano Store. My mom constantly made the joke that she was afraid one day we were going to go and find out he'd died. During lessons with him, my dad found an ad for a studio that promised to be able to prepare students for college, so my sister and I moved there. I studied with the director of the studio for three years until I was accepted into Ithaca College and now I study with Dr. Jennifer Hayghe.

4. N/A

5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age? Yes, and no. Yes, because I feel I could be better than I am today and gotten more stuff done. No, because whatever path I took got me into college today, so there's really nothing to regret. Sure, I have to correct a lot of bad habits, and it'll be a long road ahead and I probably won't become a world-class pianist, but in the long run I'll be a better teacher because of it, because I don't want other kids to get into my situation, where they're constantly fighting tension and having to relearn how to play scales and pretty much redo their entire playing mechanism. I'll endeavor to know what works and what doesn't so my students can know that and spread the knowledge to their students. I believe that even the casual pianist should be able to learn the vast majority of piano repertory. Just because a student doesn't plan to go to college doesn't mean he/she shouldn't learn college material.

[keypeg]

.  1. What age did you start taking piano lessons?
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age? 

1.  Age 53 - sort of.  It got mixed in with violin lessons when I got the DP.
2.  No
3.  N/a.  I've been forced to take a break for for financial reasons.
4.  Re above, ASAP.  Working on my own meanwhile.
5.  Yes.  But it's now that counts, isn't it?

KP

[alexis_]

Hi go,

1. What age did you start taking piano lessons?
I started to take lessons when I was ... 7 I think.

2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?
Yes I was kind of forced :/

3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
Yes I quited piano lessons near my 11 years, because my parents finally accepted that I didn't like them. Even if i doesn't clearly remember why i quit, I'm sure it was because it was my parents who wanted me to play piano and not me, also I remember a book of sightreading that I hated. I didn't see the chance that was given to me 

4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
I took the piano again one year ago (17 years old, now 18 :p), and since then it has become my only passion
 
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age? 
A little, maybe if someone taught me the love of piano before to force me to play it I wouldn't have quit. I really regret the choice I made when I was a child




PS : I'm sure there are a lot of english mistakes so please don't kill me, it's not my first language 

[mr music]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?
     7 (2 yrs)
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)
     Yes (my parents)
Or did you have a desire to?
     No, not at all
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?
     Yes
Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
     To play trumpet
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
     Yes, but 33 years later
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?
     Yes, I regret not pursuing piano lessons now. But life if full of regrets & what-ifs

Edit: I must say that after reading this agian it looks a bit negative. But 2 years of piano was a GREAT grounding for trumpet, and I thank my mum & dad for that.

[njalli]

1.  10
2.  No, it was the opposide, i forced my parents go go to piano lessons
3.  nope
4.  i didnt quit
5.  No, because if i would have done something differently then things might have turned out different

[mark737]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?
     18
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)
     No
Or did you have a desire to?
     Yes
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?
     Yes, in less than a year.
Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
     Couldn't see how to make it work....
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
     Yes, at 52
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?
     Yes...very much. Major regret

[quantum]

1. Age 9

2. I think it was mutual.  I didn't really have a strong desire, but there was some interest.

3. Yes I tried to quit many times, but always kept coming back.  Sometimes quitting meant studying a different instrument for a while, or taking a break from the sometimes dull nature of repertoire contained in method books.   I never really quit music, maybe just shifted gears for a while. 

4. Renewed interest.  It seems that diversity of experience within music - the studying of several other instruments, composition, improvisation, musics of non-western cultures and many non music related activities led to a renewed interest and approach to piano playing. 

5. Never thought about what would have happened if I started earlier.  Maybe I would have been immersed in a music school at an early age.  I don't know.  I don't regret starting the age that I did.  You just have to make due with what has already happened. 

[mr music]

Go, you have not given us your answers !

[go12_3]

Go, you have not given us your answers !

As you look throught the threads here, you will find that out of 10 responses, thus far, 6 had a desire or interest in taking piano lessons; 4 were forced.  The ones that were forced lost interest or quit for a while and returned to playing piano or taking lessons. 

Therefore, my young student, Justin(who is 6 years old) took lessons from me since last Summer and quit taking lessons, because he lost interest(if you would read my post about that experience(under Teacher posts), then you will know why I am doing this survery.  It goes to show that beginning lessons as a young age, in my assumption,those students will lose interest and therefore quit.

However, the students that started taking lessons at the age of 8 and older, had the interest and desire to continue  taking  lessons.

Now, mr music, I don't know what answers you want me to give, or have I already answered your question?  Thank you.

[jgallag]

Go, unfortunately, as I'm sure you know from experience, six years of age is not one where kids should be making such decisions. It's not Justin's fault he lost interest. I'd bet his parents don't listen to him at each opportunity they get, don't encourage him to keep going on a regular basis, and don't make him feel important because he's taking lessons. I got lessons after a few years of working with piano blues tapes that my dad had bought me. Eventually my parents figured I would do well in lessons since I was making a lot of progress with the tapes and using them consistently. I didn't take lessons from 8 onward because I was old enough to consciously choose to like lessons. I kept going because my parents and my grandparents supported me every day, went to all my recitals, and listened to me play at church. I played because my friends in school thought it was cool that I could play the piano. I played because it gave me a place in life, and it made me important to others. It wasn't until high school that I was mature enough to decide for myself that music was what I wanted to do. Children cannot make decisions for themselves, it is even proven in psychology (I took AP my senior year). Humans do not begin to mature mentally and differentiate until the teen years. That is why adults, as parents, MUST expose their children to music, dance, sports, all recreational activities, and encourage them and keep them at it until high school when the child is old enough to choose for him/herself. It's frightening to me how much a child's future depends on the parents' decisions in these early years, and I hope that when I am finally a parent I can do a good job for my children.

My only guess as to why my sister wanted to quit is that she wasn't making the progress I was, because she was two years younger, because she had a different life than I did, and because I can't imaging it's easy living under me (I was also salutatorian). She is making her own life with her voice, now. In reality, that was why she started wanting to quit. The true reason why she quit is because she did not like her teacher, and she got into a terrible fight with my dad over it and he refused to get her a new one. Mom, unfortunately, didn't make herself heard as much as she could have in this argument. She either remained with the teacher or quit, and she quit. But she is 16, now. Not 6. Of course, it's not your duty to parent for Justin, only to recognize that he did not make the decision to quit. He's just not living in the right environment for it.

[go12_3]

Go, unfortunately, as I'm sure you know from experience, six years of age is not one where kids should be making such decisions. It's not Justin's fault he lost interest. I'd bet his parents don't listen to him at each opportunity they get, don't encourage him to keep going on a regular basis, and don't make him feel important because he's taking lessons. I got lessons after a few years of working with piano blues tapes that my dad had bought me. Eventually my parents figured I would do well in lessons since I was making a lot of progress with the tapes and using them consistently. I didn't take lessons from 8 onward because I was old enough to consciously choose to like lessons. I kept going because my parents and my grandparents supported me every day, went to all my recitals, and listened to me play at church. I played because my friends in school thought it was cool that I could play the piano. I played because it gave me a place in life, and it made me important to others. It wasn't until high school that I was mature enough to decide for myself that music was what I wanted to do. Children cannot make decisions for themselves, it is even proven in psychology (I took AP my senior year). Humans do not begin to mature mentally and differentiate until the teen years. That is why adults, as parents, MUST expose their children to music, dance, sports, all recreational activities, and encourage them and keep them at it until high school when the child is old enough to choose for him/herself. It's frightening to me how much a child's future depends on the parents' decisions in these early years, and I hope that when I am finally a parent I can do a good job for my children.

My only guess as to why my sister wanted to quit is that she wasn't making the progress I was, because she was two years younger, because she had a different life than I did, and because I can't imaging it's easy living under me (I was also salutatorian). She is making her own life with her voice, now. In reality, that was why she started wanting to quit. The true reason why she quit is because she did not like her teacher, and she got into a terrible fight with my dad over it and he refused to get her a new one. Mom, unfortunately, didn't make herself heard as much as she could have in this argument. She either remained with the teacher or quit, and she quit. But she is 16, now. Not 6. Of course, it's not your duty to parent for Justin, only to recognize that he did not make the decision to quit. He's just not living in the right environment for it.

jgallag:   Indeed, Justin did have the right environment in his home.  He has an interest in guitar and is musically inclined.  His parents were quite supportive in his taking lessons; his mom came to every lesson and was learning the notes also, so that she could help Justin when needed.  He has a regular piano to play on.  So, with this student, it isn't the parents' fault.  It is just one of those things that happens with a young student.  By the way, I have a post , in the Teacher board, about when a student loses interest.  There you will read about my impressions and experience with Justin, okay?  And good for you that you have had the support from your family and friends while you were learning to play piano! (by the way, I took a lot of psychology classes too)   

[db05]

Now, mr music, I don't know what answers you want me to give, or have I already answered your question?  Thank you.

I think he wants you to answer your own survey.

[go12_3]

I think he wants you to answer your own survey.

I did reply unless otherwise......

[go12_3]

Here is my reply: 
 * desire and interest at an early age, 4 or 5, played on a little toy piano(not joking!)

  *  self-taught, had some group lessons at an elementary school, then I had an upright to play on at home until I moved overseas when I was 12 years old

  *  didn't have lessons until college for 2 years,as a Performance Piano Major; quit, and then later  for 1 year; I did have a piano at home!

  *  didn't want to quit learning, but circumstances such as moving overseas and  not having a piano to play each day, I self taught guitar instead in high school 

  *  I wished I had formal lessons throughout my childhood and teenager  though.

[mr music]

 

[go12_3]

Yes, mr music,  I am confused by your response:   

[kmehan]

1. 10 years
2.Was Forced At First But within a week i found out that i had a talent for playing the piano ,it gave immense relaxation and peace.
3.No, I'm Still Taking lessons just passed Trinity Grade 2 Practicals with 94 marks and plan to complete up till Grade 8 and i can already Play Fur Elise,Moonlight Sonata,Love story, ballade pour Adeline etc.
4.I Dint Quit
5.I Regret Not taking lessons at an earlier age a lot ,that is one thing that bugs me all the time

[fenz]

1. 6 years
2. no
3. no, i'm learning piano until now 
4. -
5. not at all... i regret because i didn't meet a good piano teacher who makes me truly love music in my early age until few years ago...

sorry if my english is bad...

[jacksolem]

I have no teacher, just books, I am 16 and yes I do regret not asking for lessons at a younger age, and the piano just attracts me

[momopi]

Hi, I teach piano and this has been on my mind lately.
 
I want to ask students(or anybody that plays piano for that matter):

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age? 

Thanks!  go12_3

1. Around 11?

2. Nope. I forced my mom to let me study. 

3 & 4. Yep. After two months. I'm sensitive to criticism and I cannot memorize. I learned to read and play notes fast and my teacher back then thought I could memorize easily as well. But the thing is I never memorize. I'm almost in my mid-20s and up until now I still don't know how to memorize. I just managed to do well in school without thinking too much about it. (I'm graduating in few months!!!  )

Actually, I never studied piano continuously. Last year, I studied under a teacher for for three to four months, then I stopped. Now that University days are over, I will start to get lessons again. (I already called my teacher!) 

It was never the lack of interest. I was very much interested in piano but there are other more pressing demands in my life. How I wish someone lower middle class like me could own a cute condo unit with a nice piano. There's a piano at my parent's home (I forced my mom to buy and she bought me a second-hand one  ) but I don't have one at my other place near uni...

5. Yes, I do. All the time. It's hard to find time when you're older and there's too much restraint in your life (money, time, etc...)

I also think, if I had started earlier, maybe I could be more disciplined with learning and practice.

[maisymouse]

1) 2/3 yrs old
2) nope! i wanted to myself.
3) yep. i quit after a couple of months. i was too little, and at that time i hadn't even finish learning my A B Cs yet, and the teacher was really fierce, strict, and scary.
4) yes, after a few years of pestering my lazy mom, i took up piano lessons at 7 yrs old again.
5) not really. i'm doing great as it is. i just wished that i had liked practising and practised more when i was little.

[tsagari]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?
     38 years old, four years ago
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to? I had the desire since I remeber myself
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?) I still hold on and I still want to eat the piano
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again? N/A
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?  Good question, because not taking lessons was not what I have choosen.However, I would say with the only exception of the fact that I am a minority student at the music studio where I am studing if I had took lessons as a child I might have quit because of high school work, university, job finding etc. So now I have the opportunity to enjoy the whole process. It is just that I am alone

[timothy42b]

Hi, I teach piano and this has been on my mind lately.
 
I want to ask students(or anybody that plays piano for that matter):

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?  52 or so. 
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?  No.  I've been a musician all my life, brass and voice.  I'd been doing the music for church in software, my wife pointed out that if I put the same amount of time into practice I could probably just play it. 
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)  I work for the Army, they moved my teacher away then later me. 
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again? Absolutely, as soon as I find somebody who is willing to do an adult.
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?  Not as much as I regret not winning the lottery.  I've never not been learning something, and it all adds up to the total musicianship.  Granted i would have far more technique at this point, but I'm not sure I'd know what I wanted to do with it. 

Thanks!  go12_3

[neardn]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons? 12... actually i'm self taught, i've read just about every book on piano...

2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to? i was bored so i played every day for hours... i was homeschooled so i had lots of free time, and my parents didn't mind

3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?) i've never had a lesson

4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
.

5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age? 
i can't really regret... i feel like i wish that my parents had made me much earlier so i could be much better now!

[amelialw]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?
I was 2& a half when I started electone lessons at Yamaha(practicing on an upright at home) and I started proper piano lessons(private) when I was 7. Stopped electone about a year+ after that.
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?
It was'nt forced. I always asked for lessons and when I had to stop lessons at Yamaha I was sad because that was what taught me to enjoy music (had to move because the school that i went to was to far from home after we moved to a new home).
My parents wanted to stop me when I was about 11 because I was'nt doing well in school, I rebelled by refusing to talk to them& just crying for a whole week plus till they could'nt take it.
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
Nope, I will never quit. Almost did at 2 points of my life though...once when i was about 14 because of school and my mom wanted me to stop flute in my school band or piano, I told her I hated piano at that point because she and my teacher constantly just accused me of not practicing when I did. Another time was when I was 16+ after moving to canada and my mom interfered so I was unhappy and my piano teacher was strict(to me at that time and I had tons to correct which drove me crazy), wanted to switch teachers and mom said if i did she would stop my lessons forever. That was probably the only positive thing she did for me throughout because of that threat I started to excel after 2 yrs +under that teacher.
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
N/A
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?

[amelialw]

private lessons yes initially because when I went to my canada teacher (one of the 1st times that I met her and again after teaching me for almost 2 years) she said: "It's such a pity that you did not come here when you were 7 or even 9 like my other students because you are so talented that I could have made you into a full-blown concert pianist by now!" !!! I don't doubt that because her 4& a half+ yrs of teaching me really changed my attitude towards practice as well as other things.
not anymore because afterwards (after 3 yrs plus and again after that and before I left) she told me: "Remember no matter what that you can do it and will suceed one day. I am so extremely proud of you and what you have achieved, i've never had a student come in the way you did and be able to prove to me that he/she was able to become what you have".

my present private teacher too has told me many times not to regret because she said that i'm capable of so much more then of someone younger then me or about the same age as me and even though I may still need more training technically but in other ways i'm able to pick up things on my own musically and capable of moving people's hearts when I play.

[silverchair87]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?

age 7

2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?

no, I begged my mum to let me go after watching a friends' lesson

3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)

I'm still taking lessons at 22!

4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?

as above

5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?

no, I was really quite young to be honest.

[db05]

3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)

I'm still taking lessons at 22!

You're 22 already?               _{I thought you were 21.}

[silverchair87]

It was my birthday on the 6th of May

[db05]

It was my birthday on the 6th of May

Happy birthday!!  You're a year and a half older than I.

[concerto_love]

1. Seven years old
2. Well, no... I just didn't want to lose to my sister
3. Yes. Because I was bored and my mother said that teacher wasn't good.
4. Yes, and I'm taking lessons until now.
5. VERY, if I have children later, I will take them to piano lessons as soon as I can.

[nanabush]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?
7 and a half

2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?
Art lessons (pastel ugh) weren't quite working, so I wanted to try piano lessons; my parents put me in the minute I asked them

3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
Nope, still playing, and taking performance in university this fall
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
...
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age? 
Starting at 4-5 would've been cool, but you never know, maybe at that point I would've had a different teacher who could have turned me off of the instrument.  I don't like to think about that much, because it's scary imagining never giving it a chance because of a bad experience as a really young beginner.  2 more years of playing would be a great benefit, but I like what I've accomplished now, and I don't mind retiring from music 2 years later to make up for lost time 

[keyboard kitty]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons? 12
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to? I wanted to take them
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?) Nope
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again? -
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age? I wish I had the opportunity to take it at an earlier age

[soitainly]

 1. I took a piano class at a junior college in my early 20's. I had already been playing guitar for 10 years.

 2. I was not forced at all. I had been trying to study music theory on guitar and I thought piano would really help.

 3. I quit for a couple of reasons. Main reason was I didn't have a piano. I live in apartments so an acoustic piano is not an option, and back then digital pianos weren't really viable. Another reason I quit was that I really didn't listen to much piano music and didn't have anything to strive for.

 4. I started playing again this year. I found I was listening to piano music as much as anything else. The advent of digital pianos that sound and feel good through headphones opened up the possibility of learning in my apartment.

 5. I definately see the advantages now I would have had if I had studied piano from an early age, but I was always a poor student. I am stubborn and tend to want to work on things by my self.

[perfect_pitch]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age? 

1 & 2.   I was forced to learn Piano when I was 9... didn't care for it before.
3.   No... still take lessons now so I can sit my Fellowship exam (highest exam Australia has to offer) and pass.
4.   Not applicable
5.   Since I was born with perfect pitch to a degree that usually only autistic people have, I wish I had started earlier.... No... scratch that... I wish I had competent Piano teachers for the first 10 years of learning.... instead of self-taught nobodies who didn't care that I had bad technique, bad posture, bad hand positioning and only played about 10% of the articulation on the page and did sweet *** ALL to fix it.

[xmrbrightside89]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?
     15
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)
     No, Not at all! That was my own personal choice! And I so don't regret it lol
Or did you have a desire to?
     Yes
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?
     NO!!!
Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
     /
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
     /
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?
     MMM yeah, Kinda! But It's okay, I like the way I play so... give time to time

[langsam]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?
     7

2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)
     yes, i hate it

3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?
     my parents won't let me quit.

4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
     N/A

5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?
     i would have quited playing piano then.



i now likes playing piano a lot    i toke me 10 years to get interested in piano lol.

[dr. j]

1.  What age?  4
2.  Was it forced?  Never
3.After taking lessons did you quit?  No, even though I now teach piano I continue to study new repertoire and challenge myself to keep learning
4. N/A
5.  Earlier age?  Couldn't have started much younger

Great survey.

Dr. J - The More You Play the Better Your Day

[daintydollyz]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?
8, I think.
2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?
I had always talked about taking lessons, but I never wanted to commit. So I guess you could say it was forced, but eventually I warmed up to the idea and I continued on with the lessons.
3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
Recently I've considered quitting. I've always felt that since I could read music well, I didn't need a teacher to guide me through it.
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
N/A
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age?
Nope. My teacher would've hated me if I started at an earlier age, due to my rambunctious mannerisms.

[kaii]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?

12. I started fairly late...

2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?

More of a desire, but I think that even if I didn't want to, my parents would've made me.

3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)

Still going. I'm turning 15 this year 

4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?

N/A

5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age? 

Definitely.  But I wasn't able to, so no use fretting over it now

 

[dannycyc]

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?

At age 59.

2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?

Yes, I have a desire to learn piano.

3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)

After 1 1/2 years, I am still taking lessons.

4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?

not apply

5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age? 

Yes!

[twiltot]

1. 10

2.it was first, but then I liked it went to academy, (I still do)

3.No

4.-

5.Yes

[hanlat]

1.  Age 5
2.  My parents got me started, but I kept going because I like it.
3.  After 9 years I am still playing.
4.  N/A
5.  I couldn't have started much earlier.

[angierc]

I started playing the piano when I was 4. First, it was forced by my mother and I really hate it because I improve very slowly, and the pieces are boring.
A few years later, I started to get interested in the piano, since I started to play more difficult pieces and those pieces are nice to hear.
Now, don't ask me whether I hate piano or not. I'm a total music maniac now. One of the reason is that, I heard a very interesting music by one of my senior. She plays the piano very good, and I know if I still hate the piano, I can't play as good as her.
It's matter of jealousy...

[legatto_queen]

hi, hope this helps

1.  What age did you start taking piano lessons?

I was 48 when I started.

2.  Was it forced?(like did your parents make you)  Or did you have a desire to?

Something I always wanted to do, just decided to do it before rheumatics and senility set in completely!

3.  After taking lessons, did you quit?  Why did you quit taking lessons?(lack of interest or circumstances?)
4.  If you did quit, did you decide to take lessons again?
5.  And did you regret not taking lessons at an earlier age? 

I seriously regret not starting this at an earlier age, everytime i see a child get up to the piano and play brilliantly!!