<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>I wish to play the piano at the age of 15.... my only concern is if I will be able to play decently within 6 months to a year.</p>
<p>I already self-taught the electric guitar but I assume the piano will need more assistance. </p>
<p>My question boils down to whether it is worth it to start at my age. By the way, I have no intention of succeeding in a musical profession, but I love music in general.</p>
<p>Personally, i would suggest taking a month or two of private lessons just to get your feet off the ground. After that, it will be easier to self-teach yourself. That’s how I learned to play guitar, and I’ve been playing for 5 years now.</p>
<p>If you can’t or don’t wanna do that, just go to a local music store and find a book for beginners. Ask for help when looking for one if you have to.</p>
<p>If you want to get good at piano, then private lessons will help a lot. But what’s even more important is your mindset. If you have the attitude that you must be at a certain level within 6 months and that that will determine whether or not playing is worth it or not, then I really doubt you’ll enjoy it. If you can get lessons, get them, but just enjoy playing piano. The fastest way to get good is to just accept the fact that everyone progresses at a unique rate and you can’t rush it</p>
<p>I had a few months of private lessons in 4th grade then I quit when summer hit. </p>
<p>It’s really easy to relearn/self-teach once you get the basics down. Youtube tutorials help a ton if you don’t want to take the trouble to figure out the keys. </p>
<p>I’ve taught myself Titanic, Fur Elise, “Bella’s Lullaby” (Yiruma’s song), Canon in D, and a bunch of other easy songs that pro piano players scorn me for :]</p>
<p>FUR ELISE sucks so much after hearing it for about the 1000th time.</p>
<p>^^Youtube has several helping devices. I love listening to songs on the piano:)</p>
<p>I think it depends what you’re interested in playing - the more technical classical pieces will be a lot harder to self learn than some of the contemporary music out there (Broadway scores, accompaniments, etc). Than again, some contemporary music can get pretty intense…</p>
<p>Nevertheless, I would recommend private lessons, at least for a little while. A teacher would make sure you don’t develop bad habits (i.e., no hand cramps later, less tension, smoother, more efficient playing), and you’ll be able to tackle harder pieces. :]</p>
<p>I’ve been playing for 11 years now, and I teach piano also…I think if you put a LOT of effort (and perhaps skip around a little), you’ll be able to play decently within that amount of time. </p>
<p>It’s DEFINITELY worth it to start at your age. I talked to a pianist who started when he was 17, and he switched from a physics major to a piano major, and now he’s a professional pianist (Carnegie Hall solo concert, solo CD). You said you didn’t want to go into a music career, but it’s never too late XD</p>
<p>you can self learn it, i find it more rewarding to learn things yourself.</p>