Picking piano back up again. Impossible?

[robertpacing]

First off, I'm 19 and and I haven't touched the piano in over a year, where I started playing initially at 16

It's frustrating, because I started at 16 and thought I'd be so much farther by now--instead I got lazy and now I find myself doing the same novice exercises that I was doing back then, trying to be more serious now. I feel like I've never made any progress

On top of that I really like guitar, and I want to pick that up in addition to piano maybe averaging about an hour on each every day. Does this seem impossible, and at 19 to boot? (I know this is only a piano forum, but I know there are still people here who can give me advice)

I also want to learn some stuff on harmonica but I don't think that'll take as much time and effort. I just like blues harmonica

[gyzzzmo]

Sounds like you better chose 1 instrument to go for. You obviously want to see more progress, but if you have to divide your learning-time between 3 different instruments, you'll naturally see less improvement per instrument.
And btw, you cant really see improvent properly by looking at what 'novice exercises' you do. I'm a professional pianist myself and i still do some novice etudes now and then. You notice improvement by the ease you can play a performance piece, excercises are for support.

Gyzzzmo

[alysosha]

no it's not impossible.

[lostinidlewonder]

First off, I'm 19 and and I haven't touched the piano in over a year, where I started playing initially at 16
..... ...Does this seem impossible, and at 19 to boot?

For some reason this Simpsons scene comes to mind


Lugosh:   Welcome to gymnastics, I am coach Lugosh.  I come to this
   country in 1983 by cart-wheeling over Berlin Wall ...
   [class giggles, Lugosh angers] ... no giggling!  It
   weakens the haunches!  [squatting by  Lisa, voice
   sweetens]  Ah, what a little angel!  How old are you?

Lisa:   Eight.

Lugosh:   [angry again] Eight!  Too old!  Go home, grandma!  



Never too old to learn something new but prioritize

[oxy60]

Of the three instruments you mention, piano should come first. The basic knowledge you will need to move quickly with the other two comes with piano.

A good teacher will get you started playing something melodic with which you can connect at your level. Then those boring scales, etc., will have some meaning.


 

[alysosha]

I just think you should be aware that in this forum most of the responses will be from people who have an exclusively classicaly based training, which may not be what you think it is. From your insterest in guitar and harmonica i'm guessing your probably looking to be more of a contemporary musician, rock, indie, blues, soul, funk, jazz, metal etc. Improvisation and the making of original music is at the core of what it means to be that type of musician but very very rare in classicaly performance based training where the exclusive focus is on interpretation of already existing music.

They really are two very different disciplines and approaches to the instrument and music itself. I think you should bare this in mind when looking for a teacher and make it clear when asking anyones advice. What you need to do to become a concert pianist and what you need to do to be able to write music/play in a contemporary idiom is very different.

If you do want to become an international level concert pianist.... well, no one can stop you trying.

[oxy60]

I'm in complete agreement with all the replies so far.  Wouldn't the questioner be a better pop musician if some serious musical training in piano is undertaken?

[alysosha]

I'm in complete agreement with all the replies so far.  Wouldn't the questioner be a better pop musician if some serious musical training in piano is undertaken?

If by "serious" you mean classicaly orientated I don't think there's any kind of direct correlation. It might even make them worse. There's alot more to music then having "good" technique.

[oxy60]

Not that serious. However enough education to know the keys, count, divide a beat and transpose a song. Plus how to interpret chord numbers (I, IV, V, etc.) and the basic forms (AAB, ABA, etc.) of songs. As far as technique to have enough skill to have your hands play what your mind intends them to play.