Is it useful to start classical piano training at mid-twenties?
I was recently asked this question. If I start learning piano later in life, will I ever catch up?
You will.
Becoming a professional pianist is dependant on more than just hours spent practicing. It’s the quality of your practice, how committed you are to your goals, and how willing you are to step on stage in front of others.
You may be farther along than you know. Perhaps you already have an innate sense of rhythm (some people don’t) which allows you feel the subdivision of the beat. Perhaps you can match pitch with your voice. Being able to discern pitch gives you an advantage when phrasing melodies.
So, the fastest way to catch up:
Develop your sight-reading abilities, with daily practice. Once you learn how to read music, every song out there becomes available to you. A piano teacher will help you shape your performances, and polish up your phrasing, but learning the notes takes place on your own, so don’t hesitate.
Just like learning a language, it can happen very quickly if you immerse yourself in the environment, which forces you to speak the language daily.
Hit at least one piano key everyday.
Even more important — don’t forget you’re doing this to perform. Find a way to show your progress to others. Play for friends after school, or at a party in your home. My first performance was my 5th grade spring recital. It was a small thing that made a huge impact on my life.
Piano teachers are a great way to have willing audience to perform for every week. A good piano teacher will always give encouraging feedback, not just editorial corrections. They should also help you curb any bad habits, such as too much tension when playing (relax your hands).
So just start exactly where you are. Give yourself one achievable goal — a front yard recital, a live performance on facebook or youtube — and start working towards it.
Practicing piano takes work, and you’ll need this deadline as motivation. But you’ll also get it by playing the songs you know and love. Don’t worry about the songs you “should” be learning. Learn the songs you want to.
If Jazz piano is what you’re interested in, start meeting other jazz musicians, and setting up jam sessions. It’s fun.
And lastly, here’s a free resource to get you started learning those notes in a fun, interactive way: pianu.com
