Can i or can i not

[ruafo]

I started playing piano at the age of 18 (two years ago), i have always wanted to learn to play the piano but because of the high prices for institutionel education in my country, i have not been able to learn until age 18.
I have started to wonder if i could ever learn enough now, to get into a conservatory after i have finish some of my education (some 3 maybe 4 years from now).
I have so far played.

- Chopin Prelude no. 4 op.28 (a somewhat bad sound quality recording of this can be found at

)

- Satie Gymnopedie no.1 and a part of his Gnossiene no.3

- Beethoven first movement of Sonata no. 14

- Schumann first piece from Kinderszenen

- Prokofiev Vision Fugitives No. 8 and the part of his transcription of the Montasque and capulet piece from Romeo and Juliet.

I have also played small parts of other pieces form other composers.

[Bob]

That sounds doable to me.  Good luck.

[nadia goh]

hi ruafo.
i think i am having the same issue in my head at the moment as well. i started taking piano lessons in october 2009 at the age of 21. now i am going to be 23 and have the dream of becoming a professional pianist. i don't know whether this is possible and whether i am elligible to get into music conservatory considering that i am quite old already. you can view my first piano recital Beethoven pathetique sonata mov. 2 at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUyVhohlo9w


i know that i made some mistakes because that was my first time performing in front of an audience. i'll work harder to improve my piano playing.

i hope that the future for the both of us are as bright as the shining stars.

[becky8898]

Hi ruafo:  My teacher has always taught me that there are two parts to being a piano player. 

Part one knowing what to do with the music.  ( interpertation, improvisation, etc. )

Part two having the ability to do it. (technique).


The first part - knowing what to do
 has almost no limit. Your ability there can reach very high levels. 

The Second part  - technique -  , is different. If your like the average older student starting out, your going only so far and thats it. 

I guess what im trying to say is you can be a fine pianist if you aim for the right area.  ( Jazz piano, Cocktail piano, music teacher,etc.   ) but certain areas are never going to happen.

Thats my 2 cents,  best of luck on your piano studies

Cheers, Becky

[jimbo320]

Hi Ruafo,
After reading your post and the responses I'm left with one question. Why let doubt creep into your thinking? Why does anyone?
I hope age doesn't play that important of a part. If so, I should give up now.
I've always thought art came from the heart. Someone once wrote that the the heart feels as old as you tell it. In other words focus on the positives not the negatives. In this case there are no negatives.
You have done some good accomplishments and more to come. Don't get all muddled up in thinking why you can't or shouldn't.
That's my opinion anyway.

Musically, Jimbo

[ratihmaharani]

hi ruafo, i am just starting to play piano. now i'm 18 years old, just like when you play piano first time.
was it hard to play piano with that rigid fingers? was there any problems when you learned to play? i wish i can play piano like you.

[daniloperusina]

Ruafo, at 1:48 you play an extra f# in the melody which is supposed to be held down only, that's what the tie means. In other words, in that bar, nr 6 from the end, you're only supposed to play f# once, then the e.

From 1:26 onwards, you take a lot of extra time on several beats, where the music should simply flow along.

Anyway, it sounds quite nice for music-making at one's own private pleasure.

But as to the ideas about a higher musical education, no. The pieces you list are nowhere near the kind of musical and pianistic ability you need to have.

Try this as an idea of what you'd have to be able to perform:
JS Bach: Preludes and Fugues nr 1-4 from Das Wohltemperierte Klavier, Book 1
WA Mozart: Sonata in C major K 330, complete
Lv Beethoven: Sonata in f minor, Op 2 nr 1, complete
Chopin: Etudes Op 10 nr 3 & nr 12 & Ballade nr 3

This is repertoire of a sort of average difficulty, not even close to being seriously demanding, but as long as any of this is too difficult for you, thinking about applying for a conservatoire is a waste of time.

So, consider other things for a professional career, or practice 12 hours per day the next four years and prove me utterly wrong! :-)

With kind regards!