Piano Progress after 3 Years

[nina.beatriz]

Hi All,

What do you think is the average level one can reach after 3 years of consistent piano practice?

I have been playing for 1 year (as an adult) after having taken a break for over a decade, before which I took piano lessons for 2 years in my childhood.

As a kid, I learnt 4-5 pieces including “Der Wilde Reiter” and “Für Elise”, as well as the introduction of Chopin’s “Raindrop Prelude”.

In the past year, I have learnt the following pieces up to a decent level, practicing roughly 2-3 hours a day, with some weekly breaks in between:

Chopin:
- Preludes 4,6,7,15,11,14,20
- Etudes Op 10 No 3, Op 25 No 7
- Funeral March
- Waltz A Minor B150
- Op 48. No 1 (first part)

Schumann:
- Kinderszenen (6 pieces including Träumerei, Wichtige Begebenheit, Am Kamin, Kind im Einschlummern, etc.)

Bach:
- Goldberg Aria

Debussy:
- Clair de Lune

And I also tried my hand at Liebestraum III, Waterfall Etude and Sonata 2 Movement 1 (Chopin) and some other pieces.

I am 31 years old and about to audition for a piano performance diploma at a music institute, which I can study for alongside my normal job.

My question is: would you say my progress is below, above or average standard? Or maybe it’s not possible to say at all.

Thank you ☺️

I uploaded some snippets on to YouTube. Here are a few for reference:

Please don’t judge too harshly, it’s a constant work in progress 😛

[essence]

i think you are making excelltent progress. I think you have said before you don;t have a teacher - i think a teacher would be very useful. For example, there are some pedalling issues which need to be pointed out.

Piano performance diploma audition? Good to have stretching goals!

[nina.beatriz]

Thank you ☺️ I do have a teacher, but totally agree on the pedalling!

[lelle]

It's hard to say because it depends on so many factors. Are you making slower progress than if you were all in, with the best level of discipline, best teacher money can buy, and practicing 5 hours every day? Probably. Does that matter? I don't think so, the important thing is to enjoy your piano journey. Do you feel like you are held back or stuck in your progress in some way?