Another "is it too late to start?"

[hannah222]

There are probably similar posts, but I thought I'd add my question too.

I'm 21. Never had piano lessons, but always wanted to learn. I was in choir for a few years in high school. We covered piano basics, and I had a cheap keyboard for a while. Somehow, I've ended up in fine arts. I'm a really good artist and have a lot of potential, but it isn't what I want to do with my life.

So, a few years ago I finally got my hands on a piano. I sat in front of it for hours every day trying to figure out how to read sheet music. I wasn't very good and probably picked up some bad habits on the way. But... I wasn't terrible. I just got so self-conscious and worried that I'd bother my parents with my playing. I bought a better keyboard a while back, which fixed that, but since I've been in college I haven't had a chance to try it again.

I'm going to take a break from school for a while to figure out what I want to do, since fine arts is not working out. No rush, I'd rather not put any more money towards classes that I may not need. I was thinking about it the other day, and it hit me that music is one of the very few things that I'm passionate about. I would really love to learn to play the piano, not professionally (competitively?) I guess, but for myself and if I was any good maybe to teach. I don't know, maybe it's a silly idea but I hate to just dismiss it. At the very least I'd like to pursue it as a hobby, because I can't think of much else that makes me that happy.

For all I know, it's too late for me. I generally excel at whatever I put my mind to, but this isn't quite the same.

I dunno... any thoughts?

[ted]

At the very least I'd like to pursue it as a hobby, because I can't think of much else that makes me that happy.

For all I know, it's too late for me. I generally excel at whatever I put my mind to, but this isn't quite the same.

I dunno... any thoughts?

Of course it is not too late to do that. It helps, however, to be very certain about exactly what sort of music interests you and how you want to play it, because then you can seek a teacher of the right type for you; one who will take you in the directions you wish to go and not bother you with concerns which do not interest you. That's one of the best things about getting older, we know our own minds, we're motivated and we're in control.

[m1469]

I generally excel at whatever I put my mind to,(...)

This is a good recognition; what are the ingredients which allow you to do so?

(...)but this isn't quite the same.

What do you think makes this different?

[chocobo]

I'm kind of in the same boat as you, and I've been self-teaching myself the basics of piano for the last few months. It's difficult without a teacher and it becomes even worse when I barely have anytime to spare because of uni, but whenever I get the chance to practice and learn new things on the piano, I do consider it incredibly enjoyable!

It's definitely not too late to take up piano, but it does require a fair bit of determination and patience. Good luck!