Do I still have time to improve in the piano?

[faa2010]

I am 24 years old, I have been practicing piano since 2002 and I know basic knowledge about music (the notes, the scales, Hanon, if it's the correct note by ear or by the piano sheet).

However, I have problems with reading and playing faster, changing the tones or the intentions when I play, and to be less rigid with my hands.

I am an amateur, I mean, I am not a pianist by profession, but I want to bring to perfection my piano, do I still have time to improve even if I am 24 years?

If so, can you give me some tips about the problems I mentioned before? I am open minded to any suggestions.

And if I want to play piano seriously, do I still have time to enter to a conservatoire? The reason about why I do this question is because of the age I have.

[indianajo]

The market for professionals that do not write new music is a little thin.  It is thicker in the religious institutions, somewhat thinner in pop music for bars because of the way no-smoking has affected the bar industry.  The concert classical music circuit is closed, those young people were winning important contests by 15.  On the other hand, as a hobby art form, keyboards are always rewarding. I am still learning things at age 59.  Before you worry about conservatory, it would be more economic to do some study with a private teacher.  You need to do some boring exercises to build up your motor coordination, analogous to gym exercises done by football players or soccer players.  An experienced teacher will guide you to the right ones, plus give you observation that will prevent injury caused the wrong technique.  Read Wikipedia about Schubert and his finger exercise machine that injured him permanently.  Whether you work up your skills through classical pieces as offered this website, or pop music to train your ear, or a combination suitable for employment a religious institution, depends on what teacher you hire.  Examine your goals and pick a teacher that can play the way you want to play in five years.  If you can't afford a teacher, remember to keep your wrists up flat with your arms (to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome), and I learned with the Belwin piano exercise books that have playground equipment on the cover, followed by Czerny exercises. The art pieces you play could vary a lot depending on your goals.     Good luck.

[faa2010]

I have had particular classes since 2002 with a teacher who can teach every kind of piece (from pop music to classical, specially the classical).

I only want to improve my piano skills and to play faster and get better with my sight reading and my ear.

[Bob]

Pieces are never perfect.  There's always more you can do with them.  Always more things to learn, more to improve.

I would doubt you'd be a professional concert artist.  It might be too late that for that. 

I have seen older students in the places I've been at.  As long as you audition and are what they want...

[peterjmathis]

It might be too late to go pro the traditional way, but you can always improve your skills. The thing about getting past the beginning stages of learning piano (and any other skill) is that relatively speaking, it starts to seem like you aren't improving, even when you are. Going from no knowledge to a little bit of knowledge feels like a bigger accomplishment than improving your skills a little at the intermediate or advanced levels. You just have to keep at it.

[roseli]

I knew this guy that started playing at your age. Now he is in is 40 and he makes is music, plays a lot of stuff just from hear and in general he is pretty good.
Since I'm 21 I couldn't resist to asking him for some tips, and he told me that age doesn't matter, you just have to pratice a lot if you want to learn and be good. To look for a good teacher, if you think one isn't pushing for you just look for another one, and he told me learn how to read music so that I can look at the sheet and hear the music, and not play it from hear or memorize it by playing it over and over... he didn't say it was bad lol, but that is important to know how to read music ^^

[wogandmush]

Read Wikipedia about Schumann and his finger exercise machine that injured him permanently.

FYP

[goldentone]

Do not lose heart--24 is very young.  Your best assets are your desire for the piano and your belief in yourself.  I would pay no attention to the "you're too old" thoughts.  It sounds to me like your progress may have halted on a plateau, and it may be time for you to consider finding another teacher.  You have plenty of time to reach for your dreams.