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Is 17/18 too old to start piano?

Playing piano has always been a lifelong dream of mine. Since as far back as I can remember I’ve always wanted to play. I’m 17 (almost 18) and once lockdowns, coronavirus blows over and I can get a stable income, I’d love to start funding this dream and learning how to play. Everyone I know who plays piano started from ages 6-10 so I feel like 17/18 is too old. I’m not looking to go professional or play with an orchestra, etc. I just absolutely adore the instrument and want to play it to fulfil this dream and extend my musical knowledge. I’m definitely willing to dedicate anc commit to it but I know it may take years so I feel it’s probably something you should start as a child. How can I go about starting?

8 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    4 weeks ago
    Favourite answer

    No it's not too old. You are 17, not 70. And even 70 isn't too old. Something you have going for you is that you WANT to learn to play and many kids were taught whether they were interested or not. It does take time to learn but at 17 you have a while lifetime ahead to learn. My brother started piano lessons at 40. My father started when.he was 65. Both became pretty good. I started guitar at 50. No one is ever too old to start any type of music lessons. 

    As for starting, there are websites, YouTube videos, and more that cover the simple stuff.  There are phone apps that turn your smartphone into a piano keyboard so you can learn and practice some simple things before spending a lot of money. A piano key is very different from a touchscreen but the theory of music isn't.  Start with the ABC's of the white keys and the sharps and flats of the black keys. Learn the basics of whole, half and quarter notes. Then read up and learn about scales. When lockdowns are over find a teacher and you will already know the basic stuff.

  • Anonymous
    3 weeks ago

    It is NEVER too old to start anything. Yes, people may judge you, but it doesn't matter what people think, it matters if you're happy with the results of your actions in your life. You wouldn't be friends with the people that judge you anyways, so don't assume what they think in your mind and dictate your actions because of that assumption.

  • 3 weeks ago

    No age is too old to start piano. 

    When I was a child, the prevailing "wisdom" was that kids should be 4-5 years old to learn an instrument. 

    I started violin/viola at 65, and worked my way into a local orchestra. 

    Source(s): many, many years of experience
  • 4 weeks ago

    People start when they are a lot older than you.  Most people learn faster and more correctly with a qualified teacher.  Structured lessons will develop your fingers properly.  When it gets difficult, don't give up.  Anything that is easy is not much of an accomplishment.  I have not made much money with my musical abilities, but I do not regret a minute of all the hours of practice.

  • 4 weeks ago

    No, it's not too old to start learning piano.

  • Jesus
    Lv 5
    4 weeks ago

    When my daughter was about 5 years old I would always give her one of those toy electric organ pianos for her birthday each year I would get her a better one and a better one she played with it. But she never really thought about taking piano lessons.

    At the age of about 29 years old my daughter who was attending the Pentecostal Church holiness. Suddenly became interested in playing the piano for the church.

    The holy Spirit as she said taught her how to play.

    And my daughter plays with both of her hands and her fingers like a real pianist and nobody ever taught her except herself in the holy Spirit

  • Anonymous
    4 weeks ago

    It's never too late but it's just a lot easier if you start as early as possible. People are the quickest to learn if they start at age 5 and 6.

  • Anonymous
    4 weeks ago

    I think I was 53 when I took my first lesson. A local non-profit radio station was having a fund drive, and a local Music Therapist donated a 30-minute lesson. (Told her I wanted to learn Maybe I’m Amazed. That might have been a tad ambitious for a beginner, lol). Definitely an experience to learn from not just an educator but a head-space practitioner. Yeah. Do it.

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