Same old "am I too late" question.

Submitted by Ryhenek t3_zuixyt in Music

Probably been asked time after time but... I just want a response tailor-made for me. Am i too late to start playing piano. I'm 16 I'm not exactly a beginner. I know the scales, have at least a minimal degree of hand independence and I know chord markings and how to construct them. I can also read sheet music though very slowly. I've just never taken playing seriously and j kinda wanted to now. I have friends who's parents could afford to get them lessons and music education and I've been jealous my phone life (i still live my friends of course, nothing against them). Some of them are so good, like professional level. I just wonder if i even have a shot anymore. Can I become some master pianist anymore or is it too late? I've heard the whole 10 000 hours for mastery thing, but I'm not sure if it applies to playing an instrument and music in general. I am willing to put in 10 000 hours over the course of my coming adult life if I believe a can become great.

TLDR; haven't been serious about playing piano, want to start. Is there some ceiling I can no longer pass by virtue of starting too late? I'm 16.

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sunshinerose32 t1_j1jjv9j wrote

Who cares about age, just do it cause you want to!

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mubydram t1_j1jgwrb wrote

My dad learned how to play ukulele in his 60s, so you can learn any instrument at any age.

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thisolddog1 t1_j1jyobt wrote

16 is a great time to start learning an instrument. Have fun!

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Goldengrams33 t1_j1jii35 wrote

Yea 16 is not too late imo especially given your current knowledge. Just play a lot and you’ll be great

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BOLIVIA_NEWTONJOHN t1_j1jnqs2 wrote

No. You're not too late. It gets harder to make time for as you age but that's about it.

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ExternalPiglet1 t1_j1jqc8p wrote

Well, what else are you doing? Free time to practice is the only setback.

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Necessary-Call-1933 t1_j1k3q1q wrote

Mastery is overrated if you can’t enjoy it. Every decision you make is a selfish one, so play for the love of it. It doesn’t take 10,000 hours to have fun! I picked up the bass guitar at 22, and I enjoy the hell out of it. Music coming from your piano won’t sound like a native language, but no doubt with time and effort you can become fluent! Don’t take your craft too seriously, I prefer the word sincere. You do what you do with intention and meaning, and it will fulfill you even when it doesn’t come out right. Good luck on your journey!

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Ryhenek OP t1_j1lo744 wrote

Ye i haven't idea why i included the detail about mastery now lol. I do just enjoy music. Thanks for this!

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sorengray t1_j1k9j28 wrote

Too late?? What pressure is being put on kids these days??

I started playing guitar seriously at 18 and have been making music ever since. I recently started to play drums at 50. It's never too late to learn. In fact, one should always be learning for their whole life. Keeps you young!

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skibidibipbapbadado t1_j1l19z0 wrote

16 isn't too late for anything. Hell, 80 probably isn't. The 10,000 hours thing very much does apply to music, as the more you practice, the better you'll be, however... you shouldn't approach something with "mastery" in the front of your mind in the first place, so stop worrying about that and start playing some songs!

I've been singing for ~7 years now, since I was 14, and was surrounded by people who were far better than me, who I admired but was also jealous of. Young me would feel vindicated that I've kept on track for this long and now have some people following my example and taking me seriously, but current me has learned to let go of his ego and enjoy his craft, even as I finally close in on that golden number.

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Psychological-Hat493 t1_j1l1ezj wrote

Here's something to put it in perspective. I'm currently in college. There are many things I wish I would have started when I was 16. At the time I either wasn't confident enough or thought it was too late.

It would be an amazing passion to have. I suggest go 100% for it, don't hold back just because some inner voice is giving you doubt.

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