Am I Too Late

[dedalus]

I have just come to an epiphany that I may truly want to study piano as my life's goal, but I am afraid that this has come too late.  I am 18 years old, only three months away from graduating high school and am not very good at the piano.  I am not terrible, but certainly not at the level as most people my age planning a career in performing.  Should I follow my dream, or am I already too far behind?

[BoliverAllmon]

FOLLOW MY FRIEND. I am 21 and have only been playing for 2 years. If I can do it so can you.

[darkrev]

hey, I was just about to say that i'm 18 too, but forgot my bday was a month ago..darn.  I think it's awesome that u found out that u really wanna persue piano as a career but it's gonna be tough cuz universities only accept those who've lots of experience in playing.  But u should still definitely go for what you believe in.

[00range]

When you consider that the average human lives to be 70, an 18 year life starts to look pretty short, doesn't it? You've got all the time in the world ahead of you, you can make yourself into whatever you please, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[dolce cantabile]

I'm actually way older than you but I'm still trying my best to become a "concert pianist". Not that I'll really play in concerts but I do wish I'll reach that standard one day!
You can do it!

[Nana_Ama]

I have just come to an epiphany that I may truly want to study piano as my life's goal, but I am afraid that this has come too late.  I am 18 years old, only three months away from graduating high school and am not very good at the piano.  I am not terrible, but certainly not at the level as most people my age planning a career in performing.  Should I follow my dream, or am I already too far behind?

I have a post kind of similar to yours.  I talked about it with my first teacher and she gave me ssome suggestions.

 Avoid going/ applying to a conservatory because for one thing, you probably won't get in (no offense) and also you will not get the individual attention required for you to make progress. 

The reasons are as follows:

Conservatories tend to stress on skill in the instrument rather than grades, SAT scores, etc...  They also expect students to be very experienced in piano playing.  This may not be the best route for you because you are a "late bloomer."

On the plus side, there are universities which have very good music programs.  Universities tend to be easier to get into because the auditions do not require as much.  I would strongly suggest that if you really want to persue this as a career go to a University that has a very strong music department/program.  Talk about it with your teacher to see what plans she/he has for you.  (As for me I'm fifteen and I am hoping to minor in piano.)  Perhaps you can minor in piano and later, after you have yourself financially stable you could go on to get a masters degree.  (Being that I am merely 15 years of age, I am not quite sure how that works). 

You should have a plan so you don't struggle when you graduate from college.  For instance if you choose to major in piano, then make sure you do your masters right away.  You must make sure that you are willing to commit time and effort into this decision.  Realize that talent in the professional world really doesn't mean much.  Talent is just an accessory, not a neccesity.  What you need in order to successfully do this is preserverance, determination, persistance, and a dream.   

You seem like you have been thinking about this for quite some time.  I say go for it!  (Just make sure you have a plan and consult your teacher.  If neccessary get a new teacher who will help you attain your goal).

I hope this helps
-Nana Ama

[Nana_Ama]

FOLLOW MY FRIEND. I am 21 and have only been playing for 2 years. If I can do it so can you.

How did you do it?  I would like to as well.  What was/is your plan?

-Nana Ama

[goose]

Hi Dedalus,

I think it's great you've made that discovery. I'm 31 and quit my job aged 29 to focus on studying classical and jazz piano, among other things. I know I’m lucky. Not everyone can afford to take time off from earning, especially as I have no ambitions to be a professional. I just want to play small jazz clubs and work through the classical literature at home. So I’m perhaps not in the same boat at you.

But I would say this. My understanding is that competition is pretty fierce for the limited number of opportunities for concertizing artists out there. If you know music will be your life, there are many other avenues open to you than simply ‘concert pianist’, glamorous as that sounds. So that would be one reason for studying music at university, as Nana_Ama suggests, rather than going the conservatory route.

Obviously, you’re serious about this. And it could really be one of the decisive moments in your life. What do your parents think? Are they supportive?

One thing this forum is great for is support. But don’t expect too much objectivity. It’s one thing to say, ‘Go for it’ to someone you’ve never met (or heard play). It’s quite another to base your future on what people like us say. What does your piano teacher think? What do other teachers think?

Age is all relative. 18 only seems old when you're 18. I felt too old at 30. No doubt some people on this forum would laugh at that, if they started playing in their forties, or older. As 00range says, you have all the time in the world. But don’t forget there are a bunch of ambitious and talented 18-year-old pianists out there right now practicing to take their place in the concert world. And for every name artist you’ve heard of, there are thousands more out there who are not famous.

Have you considered a completely different degree which could give you even more options? Any liberal arts course would still give you adequate time to pursue the piano with private teachers. (I think sciences are rather more time consuming with lab work.) 

Often I wish I’d started seriously with music at your age, rather than just noodling along playing by ear. But the fact that I have some non-musical work experience behind me now enables me to work freelance from home and still have time to play and practice what I love.

A final thought: You've discovered a love that can last with you the rest of your life, regardless of whether it’s your career. Isn't that wonderful?

Good luck with whatever you choose,

Goose

[paris]

i think it's not too late, but it depends on when you started to play seriously, do you have good teacher...what means that you are 'not terrible' ? i'm asking this, because, if you want go on academy, college, university (whatever, i don't know how they say for it in your country), you have to be able to play solid repertoire on audition.
and, in the end, keep in mind if you're talented for music, it can't be late for start.
i wish you luck! 

[w1ley]

wow.
I am surprised by this question, only surprised because you are still too young to know any better. 
But I am ASTOUNDED by the replies! I am 38 years old, soon to turn 39. I have been playing the piano for how many days now? lets see, its been 4 days. It is my ambition to be the best that I possibly can. Will I be concert pianist? Probably not. Will I EVER be a performing artist? Probably not. But dood, you GOTTA follow your dream as far it takes you. Whats the worse that happens?  You become a better artist but not good enough to make a living? If thats a concern you better have a back up plan.

Hmm, maybe I dont understand your post. You say you want to make the study of piano your lifes goal, then you mention a career in performing. Are they the same thing? Nail down the goal and then make a rational decision. But no matter WHAT you decide, you are not to old to achieve any particular goal.

[pianodude]

I started playing electonic organ (pop music) at 11 years old. However, I had never learned how to play piano until I was 24 years old. When I started playing piano, I had known on how to read music, improvize etc. However, I did not have a clue on how to press piano keys and my left hand was extremely week.

As an adult, I had heard many classical or romantic pieces. At the time, it seemed impossible even to play Chopin Waltz. I even had difficulties to play Bach Invention# 1. You need to get a teacher who can teach you the correct technique, once you acquire the correct technique, it will become much easier to play pieces that you had never thought that you can play. You better off taking one hour lesson every other week, because adults usually do not have time to practice many hours a day.

Be patient and persistant, you will get it eventually.

[sznitzeln]

Of course you are not too late...
The most important thing is to go in the right direction... The way to learn the piano is not really that long, but there are many detours that make it much longer...
I started to play at about 6 years of age, but all the nagging about doing the homework made me quit at age 8. Then I heard a girl sight-read für Elise when I was 14-15, and I instantly decided to learn to play. After about 3 years of study I got a new teacher that was much more honest, she said that I would have been better off if I hadn't started to play, because the previous teacher tought me wrong, and we had to cure my so called "illnesses". I think this new teacher taught me pretty well, but after a while we got rather lazy Then came my third teacher about 1 year ago. I didnt have many lessons with him, and he didnt say many things, but when he spoke it was golden words. During that year I learned more than in those 6 years. And I still think I have lots of gaps I have to fill in...
So my point is, search for your way, and be VERY open-minded. Get many oppinions, think for yourself, read, etc...
You can play 10 years and get nowhere, or play 1-2 years and learn tons.
I also wonder if it does matter if you played between age 8 and 10, when you are 35 or so... Seems unlikely to me...
And last but not least, I have heard that richter begun playing at 14, 16, and 17 years of age (different sources). I think they say 14 in "richter - the enigma".
And Paderewski started seriously studying music at age 23, or 27 (dont remember).
And of course there are many other examples.
Dont stress yourself, work systematicly and judge yourself objectively. Its about picking the right way, not rushing through it... Your love for music is also absolutely essential.. and a good teacher.