How many years?

[beebert]

How many years would you say that it would be reasonable to expect it to take to go from the level of playing pieces like Schumann's Aufschwung, Schubert Impromptus and Beethoven's Op 2 No 1 and Bach's Italian Concerto to the level of playing Chopin ballades (Minus the 4th), Etudes and Scherzos (Minus the 4th)? Is it reasonable to aim at getting to that level within 3 or 4 years or does it normally take longer time or even shorter? I know everyone is different, but I just wonder what is usual. My learning curve this far has been quite normal I think; I have been playing the piano for almost 5 years, I am 22 now and started when I was 17. So, do you guys think, considering what is normal and how my learning curve has been, that it would be a reasonable goal to aim at playing Chopin ballades and scherzos within 3 years?

[j_menz]

It will take as long as it takes.

It will depend on the time and effort you devote to it, both in terms of quantity and quality.

At 22, you may find that other interests compete. That's true of most ages, of course, but the early twenties are particularly vulnerable to it.

What's the rush?

[beebert]

It will take as long as it takes.

It will depend on the time and effort you devote to it, both in terms of quantity and quality.

At 22, you may find that other interests compete. That's true of most ages, of course, but the early twenties are particularly vulnerable to it.

What's the rush?

There is no rush, I was just wondering in general what is reasonable. Anyway, do you think my age will be a problem when it comes to developing the technique needed to play those pieces even if I am devoted? I simply just wondered if three to four years sounds reasonable or a bit too optimistic...

[j_menz]

There is no rush, I was just wondering in general what is reasonable. Anyway, do you think my age will be a problem when it comes to developing the technique needed to play those pieces even if I am devoted? I simply just wondered if three to four years sounds reasonable or a bit too optimistic...

Your age won't be a physical impediment.

Three or four years is not unreasonable, but depends entirely on how you spend them.

[amytsuda]

If you spend 4-5 hours every day with really focused practice, with a great teacher and on a good grand piano, you can probably get there in 1 year and may be able to play marvelously. If you spend 2 hours every day without a good help on a upright piano or digital piano, it takes 3-4 years - that was my case between age 12 and age 15. But playing is a tricky word. Now I look back, it was more like "making ugly sounds with 1,000 dropped notes and 1,000 mistakes..." I was a very slow learner compared with other kids around me, so you may go faster than I did.

22 years old is so young, I think you can be really really good if you focus on. I agree in the end, other competing interests and obligations are going to be the bottleneck, because at age 22, you probably have to find a job to make living, need to spend time to progress career whatever it is, and also need to keep time available for friends, family, girlfriend/boyfriend, etc etc.

[amelialw]

Yup if you have a good teacher and you're committed there's no reason why you can't get there within a year to 2 years...depending. Still don't rush because if you do so you might leave out some important things that you need to learn.

[awesom_o]

I'd say the last movement of the Italian Concerto is at least as challenging as any of the four Ballades.... I think if you can really play the whole piece well, all 3 movements... then you should be able to learn the four Ballades in a matter of weeks, rather than a matter of years....

[coda_colossale]

+: You have a motivation and are so desirous for improvement that you ask pointless questions.
-: You are distracted.

[awesom_o]

+: You have a motivation and are so desirous for improvement that you ask pointless questions.
-: You are distracted.

I do agree with this! 

[coda_colossale]

you should be able to learn the four Ballades in a matter of weeks, rather than a matter of years....

I'm not familiar with the technical difficulties of the pieces OP stated he could play, but I think even I can get a Ballade under my fingers, at least the notes, in a whole year