Hopeless...? I hope not...

[redragon]

I am thirteen years old and i've been playing piano for two years. It is difficult for me not to imaging the many people who are six or seven who have been playing since they were three that can play pieces that are way over my head. They're playing totally advanced pieces that i can't even imagine playing, while the hardest piece i can play is rachmaninoff's prelude op. 3, no. 2. 
I'm hoping to making a career out of the piano. But, is there actually any chance that i will be remotely succesful in the endeavor?
I could really use feedback.

[stevebob]

Don't despair!

First, consider that there will always be people who are more proficient than you.  And you will always be more proficient than some.  Everybody is in the same situation, and there's not a lot to be gained from comparing yourself to others.

You should also bear in mind that you are probably several years away from applying to colleges or conservatories.  Many of the kids who have followed the path you describe will burn out from the various pressures on them; it may seem right now that they are your competition, but that's not necessarily true.

Regarding your own frustrations with your progress, take into account that technique can seem to advance in leaps and bounds.  You have no idea how far you yourself will progress within a few years if you really work at it.

Finally, there are many different career trajectories in the field of music.  Even if the odds of becoming a successful concert pianist are very slim, many people find it possible to make a living playing piano in other capacities.

If music is your passion, it's wonderful that you recognize that at your age.  Keep working at it, and enjoy the journey.

[nanabush]

I was in your position when I joined this forum!  I was about 15, so only a few years ahead.  Stay on the forum, and you'll just get completely swallowed up in piano!  (it's great!)

I'm taking a performance degree now, and haven't looked back.  People who tell you that you can ONLY perform, and that there are slim odds of that happening, have very narrow minds.  My friends tell me that all the time... but with their general arts degrees, they are heading straight to a desk job they'll hate.

Get involved, you never know what's going to happen (I was honestly surprised that I ended up taking music; but, it's such a relief doing what you like, even if you're not sure where it'll lead)

[dss62467]

Of course it's not hopeless!  Two years is really not that long to be playing.  I've been playing 9 and don't know ANY Rachmaninoff.  He intimidates me.      Just don't compare yourself to others, some people have to work harder than others, and you don't know how much work those younger students are putting into it either.   Some people are just beyond reality in what they can do (YouTube Martha Argerich, Yuja Wang, for instance.  Granted Martha is not a young woman, but she will blow you away!)   There will always be people who are more gifted, so you just need to learn to appreciate what they can do, and do the best with what you can do.   You will surprise yourself.

When I was 15, and had 7 years of lessons behind me, I saw students with less experience playing as well (or so I thought) as me.  I quit.  Dumbest thing I ever did.  Now I'm older and take it much more seriously and my teacher wants me to start performing with him.  Of course, it's in retirement homes where people probably can't even hear me... ha ha

You'll be great if you really want to be.  Just enjoy yourself.


Not to depress you, but check out Yuja Wang at 10 years old.   She's 23 now and stunning.

&feature=related

[gnuboi]

If you hang on to your dreams and work hard at it, you will have a career out of piano.  Yea, that's what everyone says about anything and it might sound optimistic, but it's quite true!  You only not-achieve (don't want to say fail, that's too negative) something if you stop.

There will definitely be a place for you.  If you get really good, you can be a concert pianist.  If you get slightly less good, you can play at weddings, churches, retirement homes, malls.  You can teach.  You can work for a school district.  You can work at a university.  Lots of ways.

I wouldn't be too concerned with exactly what you will end up doing.  I am quite confident that if you enjoy piano now, you will enjoy playing/performing/teaching in whatever capacity you get into.

Of course, I am speaking as someone whose day job is NOT piano, and the grass looks greener on the other side, right?  All I do is play at home, as horribly as I want, whenever I want, with no pressure.  Sometimes I do wonder what it would be like to make a living and play all day, but whatever.

[birba]

I think Richter was 20 or more when he decided to become a concert pianist.  He was an opera hack pianist up till then.