Ive never touched a piano...how long will it take?

[0tohero]

Im sorry for coming in here and asking such a broad question but ive been having the itch to play piano for years... im in my 20's and everyday i watch videos on youtube and its killing me, i need to learn.

Im currently building a business and barely have time for anything.. but if i want to do something, i will.

Songs i want to learn:

-river flows in you
-aria
-back to life(gio)

Im sure this could take a really time but eventually advance into:

handkanten akt
rue des cascades

What ive learned in life to do things quickly is get a mentor so im going to get a tutor and try to do 3-6 hours a week right now with them. Im sure people post this all of the time so apologies if it has become annoying but excited to get started, thank you.

I understand it really will depend on the person but is it going to take years just to pick up basics?


Inspiration:


This below is the most ridiculous thing ive ever seen

[magic_sonata]

The pace of learning piano is fast. For others, it's slow. It all depends on your skill set that you have naturally.

First off, don't be intimidated by piano prodigy videos you find on Youtube. You may or may not be as great as them at first, but learning piano takes patience. And a lot of commitment and determination.

[0tohero]

Thanks magic.... i have no idea how i get bit by this bug, my friends think im weird but i have a laser focus on doing this and i cant shake it. Its extremely impressive to me, anyone that can play well. I never had any liking for this music and now im listening to it all of the time and it gets my blood boiling.

Im going to document my progress once i start. Im also going to post a video of myself playing once capable in order to encourage others in my position to see they can start with 0 skill and execute atleast one of these songs. Thanks again, really looking forward to it.

[ranniks]

Hi!

I started on my 20th shorter than a year ago.

It's all possible. But 3-6 hours a week private lessons? That's going to be expensive and in my eyes unpractical.

River flows in you is definitely doable, I'm gonna learn a bit of the first page for my cousin. I wanted to learn it anyways. When you can read music it all becomes less difficult.

[Bob]

I'll guess... 2-5 years with 30min-1hour daily and a teacher.  But you'll have to make that a priority.

[0tohero]

Aright, thank you for all the comments and support everyone. Maybe 2 hours per week... i have to feel it out and see what i can maintain because i believe in having a schedule and being consistent. Again, thank you and looking forward to this.

[virtuoso80]

I find the better questions are, 'how hard will it be', 'how frustrated will I get', 'how much commitment does it take'.

If you can understand that it will be very hard a first, consistently keep going through frustration, and not slip on your practice routine, then the answer is not as long as you might think.

If you're like most people, then you will go through on/off periods where life gets in the way, give up because it got frustrating, or find it difficult and conclude "I guess I don't have it," then it will take longer. That's the real answer IMO.

[bronnestam]

Welcome to the marvellous World of Piano! 

Your learning rate will depend a lot on whether you have learned any kind of instrument before or not. If you are new to all kind of instrument playing, you will first encounter a fairly steep learning curve where you have to understand a whole new concept. If you are not - then you know already what it is like.

Just don't buy the romantic BS about "natural talents", "progidies" and similar. The only talent you will need is the ability to be stubborn, diligent and have stamina. Well, you also need to be humble enough to take instructions, but I suppose I didn't need to write that, really ...

Playing the piano is more difficult than most people think before they have tried themselves. Learning the first basic chords and where to find the keys is rather simple, so is learning the simpliest pieces and learning how to read music ... but fully mastering piano playing is a lifetime's work. After your first lovely honeymoon with the piano you face the harsh reality where you work and work and nothing seems to happen anymore, and here is where most students quit, with the excuse that they were not talented enough. Those who are much better than you seem to learn everything in no time with minor effort, while you bang your head in the wall (or on the keyboard) over and over again, and still you think you sound like a cruel parody on Lack of Talent. But don't worry - it is perfectly normal, everybody struggle from time to time. Learning is a fascinating and often uneven process, sometimes the brain need a lot of time for processing a new ability. When nothing seems to happen on the surface, it often means some major changes are taking place deep within. Be patient and don't lose faith in yourself.
That is one of the reasons I love piano playing, by the way. It is such a beautiful study in the science of learning and mastering new skills.

You have to enjoy the learning process itself, not just your end goals (like being able to play this and that). The road to these goals involves more steps than you can imagine in beforehand, but that's why you have to see them as STEPS, all of them necessary, not obstructions. Enjoy the ride!

When I picked up piano playing again after nearly three decades of "poor maintenance", I happened to do something that was rather good: I assigned myself 20 minutes of daily practice time in the beginning. Not less, NOT MORE. This helped me getting into the routine without having to turn my everyday life upside down. So, if you don't know how to fit practicing time into you present daily schedule, I suggest you start with just a few minutes a day. And yes, you will find them. Throw your television set out if you have to ... Stop when your time is up, even if you really want to proceed. Then you will be eager to start next session. And when it is a natural part of your everyday life, you don't need further instructions about this.


And YES, keep on listening to the music, go to concerts, learn everything there is to know about pianists, music styles, composers, piano brands ... everything. Go for it, all in. You will not regret it.

Here is something that makes MY blood boil, for sure ... Heard this piece live just a few weeks ago and I'm still up in the clouds. Too difficult for me, still, but some day ... some day ...