Am I too old to learn the piano?

Joey_V
Joey_V Posts: 8,505
edited January 2019 in The Clubhouse
Any piano enthusiasts here?

I played a little when I was a child but it didn’t get far. I never had a keyboard to practice at home so that weekly lesson was basically a waste as I would never get further in my training and I would be frustrated.

We just bought a Yamaha baby grand, I bought it for my wife who is well trained and for the kids (4,2,1) to learn on.

But the question is, would it be a waste for me to try at my age or can I actually become pretty decent after a few years? I wonder if my brain is too hardwired by now.

If I or the kids become really good or if the wife pushes for a better piano, I can foresee myself creating a music room where I can house a spectacular piano someday and not even a Steinway D would be out of reach. Everyone can dream right?
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Comments

  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 10,862
    Of course you can learn. If you have an ear for music why not?
  • SIHAB
    SIHAB Posts: 4,494
    Play boogie-woogie blues and as you get older you will grow into it.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 27,968
    When I did the music store gig, the number one instrument picked up by the elderly was the piano. The piano sparks cognitive functions and finger dexterity, we had multiples of students 70 to 95 that took the piano and excelled.

    Obviously, I'm not saying you are elderly, but more so you can never not learn anything you put your mind to!
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,952
    Joey, did you ever learn any other instruments? I find that music is a lot like language. If you were not raised bi-lingual, you can learn another language, but it is a LOT more difficult. But someone who learned another language early on can much more easily pick up yet another. Music is very similar. Yes, you can learn no matter what, but it will be much easier if you can already read music and have rhythm gained from playing another instrument (I play multiple instruments so this comes from experience).

    FYI, my wife is a classically trained vocalist who taught piano lessons in college. 3/4 of my kids are taking piano lessons from graduate students (the 4 year old will start next year). We purchased an upright Steinway from an estate sale for $700 dollars. It has to be tuned a little more often due to age, but its a nice playing/sounding piano. If at least one of my children continues to play into high school (they are all required to take four years by us), then we will consider upgrading to something better depending on funds of course.

    After playing the tenor sax for 7 years I was able to upgrade from a used POS we bought from the local music store to a slightly used Selmer Paris Mark VI (a $5000 instrument). I REALLY appreciated that instrument after playing the other one for so long. I would consider something similar for your children, but of course, its your family and your money. Just my take...

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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 10,862
    I'm sure your current piano talent/skills far exceeds your current talent or lack there of for buying shorts and you don't post a question regarding that. I say play on!!
    Heck get yourself a keyboard and some cans if you are shy or nervous as to what others might think for now. When you are comfortable enough to play on your big piano, sit down, crack those fingers and let it rip!!
  • afterburnt
    afterburnt Posts: 7,892
    Playing is more fun than listening go for it
  • rpf65
    rpf65 Posts: 2,127
    Willow wrote: »
    I'm sure your current piano talent/skills far exceeds your current talent or lack there of for buying shorts and you don't post a question regarding that. I say play on!!
    Heck get yourself a keyboard and some cans if you are shy or nervous as to what others might think for now. When you are comfortable enough to play on your big piano, sit down, crack those fingers and let it rip!!

    For some reason this caused a picture of Linus flashed before my eyes
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034
    I bought it for my wife who is well trained

    You should be applauded for having a well trained wife. Too many nowadays are just plain sassy.

    I should probably issue an apology at this point but ... well, it's probably too late.

    B)o:)
    I hope you have your final affairs in order.

    Somewhere, deep in a hidden bunker, reside a couple highly offended people that frequent here that have set about plotting your demise.

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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    I say "go for it" if you think you can stick with it due to work and life in general.

    We are going to enroll the 5yo into guitar lessons. I plan on going with her.

    I used to play the piano (nothing technical) and liked it.
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
  • mlistens03
    mlistens03 Posts: 2,767
    I think you can learn for sure. It takes a LOT of practice before it goes from being a chore to enjoyable though, so if you do try don’t just go for a week and decide you don’t like it.
    The piano book I use is really great as well, I am gonna practice after lunch and I can tell you what it is. It teaches you all the basics, but goes quicker from really basic stuff to more intermediate tunes. :)
  • codycatalist
    codycatalist Posts: 2,662
    I vote too OLD!

    Just kidding, my dad didn't start picking up Guitar until he was 35 and in prison ha! Not much else to do in there I guess. He is pretty fantastic at it now.
    Just a dude doing dude-ly things

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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    I took organ lessons for 10 years growing up, and ended up playing pipe organ before discovering photojournalism and throwing all my time into that.

    I still bang around on the piano, and can make my way through sight reading, at age 55

    My daughter, age 7, is now taking lessons and I help her with her practice. As a result of that, I’m now considering starting back with lessons with my daughter‘s teacher.

    The key is finding a good teacher. Don’t settle for someone in the neighborhood who is just doing it to make a few extra bucks on the side. Check with the local university with a music program, or the local Montessori school, or some of the larger churches in the area that still have traditional music.

    See where the lines cross, and start with the person who seems to have the best reputation. They probably won’t be able to work UN, but they will be able to recommend someone.

    Finding the right teacher is key. And only slightly less important than actually putting the time and practicing in a disciplined way.

    Good luck.
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  • Not to old for the piano, it is about the easiest instrument to learn. If it were the piccolo, probably yes.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034
    Not to old for the piano, it is about the easiest instrument to learn. If it were the piccolo, probably yes.

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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,760
    edited January 2019
    I bought it for my wife who is well trained

    I hope you have your final affairs in order.

    Somewhere, deep in a hidden bunker, reside a couple highly offended people that frequent here that have set about plotting your demise.

    I'm probably way ahead of him in line.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
  • motorhead43026
    motorhead43026 Posts: 3,892
    edited January 2019
    I am confused.
    Post edited by motorhead43026 on
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    Other; M10 series II, M7C's, Hafler XL600 amp, RB-980BX, Parasound HCA-1500 amp , P5 preamp, all in storage. All vintage Polk have had crossover rebuilds and tweeter upgrades.

    The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

    It is imperative that we recognize that an opinion is not a fact.

    Imagine making politics your entire personality.
  • Viking64
    Viking64 Posts: 6,646
    If you want to play "Chopsticks", NO.

    If you want to play Chopin's "Prelude 16", YES.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDQAjEJEPKc
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    If you have to ask then you are.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,034
    Not to old for the piano, it is about the easiest instrument to learn. If it were the piccolo, probably yes.

    Uhm… yeah, the piccolo, yeah that's what we call it these days. :p


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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Never too late. The kids got an electric keyboard a while back. I wound up playing it the most! Lot's of fun! :smile:
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,032
    Never ever to old to learn my friend. Go for it.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    Go for it Joey!
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,505
    edited February 2019
    Thx guys

    I will try. And if I fail, Atleast I tried.

    At 36, spring chicken no more.

    Atleast my ears can still appreciate the sound. I have not heard anything as beautiful as the Steinway D. Absolutely heaven on Earth.
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,124
    edited February 2019
    It's another activity to share with your family. Don't be discouraged when your kids blow your doors off...they learn so fast

    let this be an inspiration

    https://youtu.be/LdH1hSWGFGU
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  • SIHAB
    SIHAB Posts: 4,494
    let this be an inspiration as well
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amQ63EZfUMA
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    My take....if your not too old to keep wearing those shorts, your not too old to learn the Piano. :)
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 2,987
    You can do it. Like you, I took lessons as a kid for a short time, and if you can still read music (as already mentioned above), you have a little head start. Even though I quit playing piano, I did do lots of choral singing, so pretty much had to still read music. Now I have a console piano, originally purchased for my kids to learn - didn't stick, so now I peck around on it occasionally.

    Here's your first lesson...guitar hero style, but for piano :)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbTVZMJ9Z2I
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  • afterburnt
    afterburnt Posts: 7,892
    @Joey_V yeah shut up, at 36 you are not even too old to learn the pile driver!