Looking for an honest opinion...

[rpcruab]

I am a fan of the piano, (mostly jazz and classical).  I am looking into picking up a console piano a neighbor is giving away so I can start learning how to play, but something is holding me back.  I am 24 years old and have been a serious musician for about 12 years, however, my instrument is guitar.  I can read treble clef fluently but have trouble with bass clef, as guitarists don't generally read bass clef.  I have fiddled with my grandmother and stepfathers pianos over the past 5 years, but very infrequently, maybe once a month, max. So I guess my question here is: Should I pick up the piano?  Could I really learn to play piano well at this age?  Most talented pianists I know started when they were very young, acquiring muscle memory, technique, and sight reading skills while their brains were developing.  Thanks in advance for any advice!

[pianisten1989]

It's all about how much (and how) you practise. If you practise sight-reading 5 minutes a week, you obviously wont learn to read well. And do you have to become Richter-like, or does it work will piano teacher at a lower grade music school?

And yes, most of the top pianists start when they are very young, but not all of them...

[lizzie3]

Only you can decide if you should learn the piano or not. How important is it to you?

And of course you can learn to play the piano well! You're only 24, there's lots of time to learn, I'm 26 and just re-started lessons after 7 years of nothing. If you have been playing guitar for 12 years you have lots of skills that are transferable to piano. You could always try lessons for a year and if you like it keep taking lessons, and if you don't then move on to another hobbie that makes you happy

[jimbo320]

Hey Rp,
If you have the chance to get a piano like that, take it. Having skills of the guitar for 12 years you  definitely have finger control. You have the drive to do it so do it. If nothing else you can stop wondering if you're able or not.
I'm gonna get in trouble here but it seems to me that people place too much on age and sight reading. Of course sight reading is good and we all should strive to do it, but don't let it distract you from trying. If age was a factor to worry about I should really be worried. lol
The way I look at it is if we succeed in learning and play from the heart, then we'll always be a success to ourselves....

Musically, Jimbo 

[becky8898]

Hi - dont be a dufus.  Of course you should try the piano. Think of it this way.  Lots and Lots of pianists started at a very young age.  So big deal.  How many turned out to be , Horowitz, or Agerich, etc.  You may have exceptional talent or not,  but how will you ever know unless you try.  You said you also like Jazz. Well there you go. Even if you cant develop the technique for the big time repertoire , you can still develop all the technique you need to play Jazz piano. And as far as getting smarter musically you can just keep growing and growing and growing. Your skills for artistic interpertation arent limited by the fact your doing this as an adult.  Anyway I tried to say this in a good way.  best of luck.

Cheers, Becky

[gradedpiano]

If you want to learn Piano, then learn Piano, you will need to practise a lot but i say you should go for it!

[uranian]

As a person similar to your age who is also taking up the piano after having received one for free (why are people giving away their pianos?!), I think you should do it. You have the interest and musical background that might even accelerate your progress. Though perhaps I shouldn't phrase it that way - you shouldn't be looking at how long it'll take you to learn. Nobody can tell you that and you shouldn't try to set borders for yourself which might translate into "I should know this by this time and if not then I'll never get it" - sounds like a quick path to frustration and stagnation.

What're you interested in? Any pieces specifically you want to be able to work towards as a goal down the road? You're already a musical person, it couldn't hurt to add piano to your repertoire and it might even accentuate your guitar playing. I've heard many people assert that learning the piano is kind of a gateway towards picking up other instruments, including my dad who did things in reverse order to you and went from the piano to the guitar. I'm probably a little biased, but what I'm saying seems to fit what other people are saying. Plus, it's free! If you are truly interested, now is your chance.

[rpcruab]

Thank you for your words of encouragement folks!  I decided to go through with picking this piano up, and will be bringing it home saturday!  I guess I should call a tuner!  I learned that the piano I am acquiring is a 76 year old Galbraunsen.  Any suggestions for a simple piece to work towards this year?  I heard that Alfreds adult piano method is a good book to start with, any other suggestions?  Unfortunately, there are no piano teachers in my area (rural), but between the internet and books, I am hoping I can teach myself a thing or two!  Thanks again for your words of wisdom!  I will be tracking my progress on this forum and surely asking lots of stupid questions!  Talk to you soon!

[jimbo320]

I'm not good at suggestions on what to play but I just wanted to say good choice in getting the piano. Sorry you need to tune it so soon but I love older pianos. Let us know how it goes...

Musically, Jimbo