From Scratch to ABRSM Grade 5 Piano?

[digiwolf]

Hi All –

In my early teens, I had singing lessons for 3 years, however circumstances –and especially the preparation for university– didn't allow me to make dream come true, i.e. dedicate more time to music.

Now, at the age of 30yo, I have the time, passion, commitment and dedication to start learning the piano. I am enthusiastic about it: got a piano and very good teacher. During my first lesson, I even attempted a small two-hand piece. I've never done this before, so it looks promising.

Would it be realistic to put some timelines for my progression, for example ABRSM Grade 5 in Piano in 2-3 year's time? Is this feasible? I am not particularly worried about the exam per se; I am more inclined to learn how to play the piano at that level, fast. Any opinions? Any advice?

Many thanks!

[chopinlover01]

Don't worry about your progression rate right now. It's much more important that you get a solid grounding. If you took one approach of clunking through everything just enough to progress, you might be able to get to grade 5 in a year, but play horribly at that level. Or, you could take more time in these stages and get a solid grounding first, so when you do get to grade 5 later you're fully prepared to play well.
Let your teacher guide you, he/she likely knows what they're doing.

[outin]

I am not particularly worried about the exam per se; I am more inclined to learn how to play the piano at that level, fast. Any opinions? Any advice?

With this sort of mindset you are kind of setting yourself for a failure. That is simply because the rate of learning is so individual and dependent on so many factors:
- Your physical and cognitive make up and skills (some of which consist of genetic traits)
- Previous knowledge of musical theory
- Having a teacher or not
- How good and suitable a teacher you have
- Teaching methods
- Access to a proper instrument
- Time you can spend practicing
- The quality of practice, which includes finding good times when you are mentally alert and not physically tired
- General problem solving skills
- Motivation to work through difficulties which are inevitable

It is of course possible to play some grade 5 pieces after a year or so (I did), but it matters how well you play them and what you learned in the process rather than getting through them. If you are too concerned about learning fast and this doesn't happen naturally, you will end up slowing down later or even stop progressing and end up very frustrated. This is a very common mistake and quite understandable, but if you can avoid such a mindset, everything will be much easier...

[irrational]

The grade 5 level is certainly possible.
My school is not ABSRM, but roughly parallel, perhaps a tiny bit more technically hard at similar levels. Well the pieces I chose were harder as I choose things that require proper work and will teach me difficult things.
I got to that in 2 years. Although as an adult I started at grade 3 level. Some dedication and time is all that's required if you have skilled hands and musical ability (And mine is not top notch by any means).

But don't chase it.
Start where you start and you'll know what you can and can't do. Its not a race.
The important thing is to learn properly and enjoy it.
I am now at grade 7 and taking my sweet time about it. I can't practice 4 hours a day. I set aside 10 years to get to 7-8 level, which is a slow pace, and currently at 5 years. The time factor matters less and less really. Now I am starting to crave a repertoire and the available pieces at this level can last a lifetime easily.

[deandeblock]

I think it would surely be possible... But why not go for Grade 3 after 1.5 years?

That way you get to know if you are on the right track... I would say the hardest things would probably be the additional sections (sight-reading, aural, scales)

[lostinidlewonder]

If you structure a timetable that you can commit to I don't see why not. Would be a good idea to develop a plan with your teacher because a lot of personal elements need to be taken into consideration, even dedicating a lesson to constructing a plan to work on would be a good idea.

Playing grade 5 pieces well in itself is not real major accomplishment if it takes a huge amount of time, you want to be able to learn and play your pieces with efficient time and practice method.

[hardy_practice]

I put kids through grades all the time so yes, no sweat.  I recommend a grade a year with some skipping.