Obsession and Success
Dear Greg,
i am a 16 year old pianist and is now a grade 5 student.i started when i am 12. During the holiday before the year 2009. i suddenly become very ambitious and i wanted to become a concert pianist. But the problem is there seems to be too many discouraging post and also encouraging post about being a concert pianist.most professionals says that one must start at a very very early age to become concert pianist. now i am so scared because even i if i am a quick learner i still cannot make it to grade 8 or deploma before entering a music university. those who started early get to play excellently before 12 and then they still have the many years to fix every single weakness. i am starting to feel the stress now because i put a lot of hope onto piano career and i surely don't want a very very dissapointing days after all those hardwork like a begger on a street playing piano and too poor to buy anything and die. i want to have a very normal and also very sustainable live doing a job that i love. The main reason i become so obssesed about piano is when i feel sad i get to play sad piece and when angry i play crazy technical piece just like all those actors in movies. and i think piano is something that is classy (high class , all those tuxedo stuff). i would like to be a person of high class somedays later.my mum said i am going to college near my place to study whatever while attending piano lesson at my area to continue until diploma.and then i apply for music college again after my college years. and of course i manage to play plenty of hard piece which my teacher don't know i can play them.i am better then all student that is in my grade(those students play piano just for fun.but i take piano more seriously then them).i play the kholer sonatinas book and i have to learn those piece.took others 2 weeks or more to play 1 movmment but took me only 1 week to play 1 movement (the most is 2 weeks if the piece is hard). i also learn the exam piece before my teacher even ask me to try it.my teacher was shocked when i played it out straight away.and i plan to migrate out of my hot country to a colder country.so dig into my essay and correct any wrong opinion and give advise and anything you want to say to me.i am just a very obssesed and discouraged pianist. i am starting to feel more head ache now to think about my future and everything about piano and about time i have left.your advise is greatly needed by me.
-Daniel C.H.L.
Dear Daniel,
Yikes, lets take a deep breath! I'm not going to have any answers for you; nor will anyone else. Nobody can predict who will have a huge, successful, world-traveling piano career and who won't. If you're playing the piano purely because you hope for such a career, I recommend you find something else to do, because you're playing the lottery with your career!
You sound somewhat conflicted... Piano and high class society? Playing the piano can be a classy occupation (though it certainly doesn't need to be), but it is very unlikely to provide you with the finances to join high class society. Obsessed and discouraged? Obsession is an absolute must for any thriving piano player, but if you are truly, truly obsessed, it is unlikely you will ever find yourself discouraged for very long. A rather wonderful perk of obsession: it makes you oblivious to any setbacks or impossibilities. (Of course, if you're of the obsessive temperament, I recommend you direct your obsession down healthy avenues.)
I also sense somewhat of a competitive vibe from you. Does it really matter how fast your high school classmates learn their music? As you say, use the piano as an outlet for your emotions, not as means to bolster your self-worth.
If, however, (and I've said this many times before -- please see the "Ask Greg: Career" archives) you simply want to play the piano for a living, go for it. Society has many, many different needs for pianists that you could fill. Most piano careers will not make you incredible wealth, so as I said above, joining the upper echelon of society is unlikely, but they can be extraordinarily satisfying.
Just make sure that you chose a career playing the piano for the right reasons; if so, things will work out.
- Greg (August 12, 2009)
Advancement speeds; teachers
Hi Greg,
I have been taken piano lessons for over 6 years now. I started taking lessons when I was 43 years old. I usually spend at least an hour per day practicing, but I'm not happy with the outcomes. I can play Fur Elise, some of Bach's pieces, and Chopin. But, each piece took me so long time, like two-three months, to master. Is it normal for my level? Secondly, my goal is to play pop music but I have been trained with classical music teacher. Should switch teacher to pop music teacher now? Thirdly, when can I stop taking lessons then practice on my own?
- Vince
Dear Vince,
Playing the piano is hard! It takes unlimited perseverance to master *any* piece of music; "unlimited" because you'll never really master it -- you can always improve! Even concert pianists look for outside advice and seek the counsel of teachers. I wouldn't worry -- two or three months is not unreasonable at all for the pieces you mentioned, especially considering that you've been playing for only six years.
If you'd like to play some pop music, then you should! I assume you are playing the piano for your own, personal enjoyment; if so, then you should occasionally be able to play what you want! I agree that classical music training is important, but perhaps you could spend some time every day working on a song you like. Or, you could sight read a new tune each day. The more you improve your sight reading, the faster you'll learn the notes to new pieces (though it will still take a while to "master" the music), and the less frustrated you will be during your practice sessions.
- Greg (May 10, 2009)
Concert Pianist In Private
Dear Greg,
Is it possible to become a concert pianist and not perform? I am just starting to play the piano and would like to play at the concert pianist level...just not with the audience, career, all that jazz. How long does this usually take and how many hours should I practice a day?? Thanks!!
- James
Dear James,
Of course! Who's going to stop you? I believe that music making can be incredibly personal and solitary at times; there's no need to always have an audience at hand. Go ahead, transform your home into your own private stage!
How much practice is necessary? I've been hearing this 10,000 hour rule touted a great deal in social circles (after an Malcolm Gladwell made it the subject of his recent book, "Outliers"), and I think there is something to it. The rule: to become truly fluent at a specialized skill, one must devote at least 10,000 hours of practice. I'm certain this also relates to piano playing.
That said, you can still have a great time playing piano music with less than 10,000 hours of practice under your belt!
- Greg (March 6, 2009)
Grasping Things Quickly
Hey Greg! I was wondering how long it usually takes you to learn a piano concerto. I am working on my first Mozart piano concerto (in d minor) and I feel like I am moving at a painfully slow pace. I have been working on it for a week and have only made it through seven pages. I am nineteen and I've been playing for two years. Is this a reasonable pace? or am I fine and just very impatient?
- Elsie
Dear Elsie,
You've only been playing the piano for two years and you're already working on a Mozart concerto?! Chances are that you've bitten off more than you can chew. I wouldn't feel too bad about seven pages in seven days.
Every concerto is different; I couldn't possibly state how long it takes me to learn a concerto. Seriously -- it could take as short as a week and as long as a year, depending on the difficulty of the piece. When I'm in a hurry, sometimes I have to do it very fast, but I prefer taking my time so that I learn the music well and thoroughly.
- Greg (March 6, 2009)
Do What You Love
Hi Greg,
I am a high school student who's been studying ARCT repertoire for 3-4 years now. I'm in an academically demanding program and I study hard. Nowadays I find that because of my studies I tend to practice piano less and less (AHHH!!). I only get to practice an hour a day at most- if I'm lucky. Last year, I entered a lot of competitions and played at nationals for one of them. Overall, I think I did relatively well (compared to the extremely limited number of practice hours I put in, that is). I love music, but I find that in the past I've been putting it aside just because I thought "what am I going to do in life with a music degree? Let's just be a doctor" haha. But I've just recently realized that I actually want to do what I really love to do. Do you think I should drop out of my academic program and devote myself fully to the piano? But what if I decide I want to go back..? Ahh :s
- Confused
Dear Confused,
Wow! These are intense questions!
I'm obviously of the mentality that one should base one's career on what he or she loves to do. What may surprise you is that I also believe one can love to do a great many things. Job satisfaction comes from how you chose to respond to situations at work, not the situations themselves. How did I get through high school without going crazy? I made the most of my assignments -- I turned them into projects that interested me. A simple report became a full magazine spread; an essay became a passionate opinion piece; a science project became a wild and engaging museum piece. I filled speeches with appropriate magic tricks, and I found ways to insert music into everything. I may have created more work for myself, but because I was invested in what I was doing, it felt like less.
The point is: you can probably turn anything you do into something you love. It all depends on your approach. I honestly believe that you can drop out of your academic program or you can stay registered, and in either case, you can find ways to be happy.
And what if you want to go back? If you are truly determined, you'll find a way to make anything happen.
Good luck and HAVE FUN!
- Greg (Dec. 30, 08)
Self-Taught
Hello Greg!
I've taken piano lessons when I was about 9 years old, but quit due to lack of money in the family. Ever since, I have been playing for fun and composing my own music. I'm 17 years old right now, and for the past year I have been teaching myself to read music because I wanted to learn classical pieces. An orchestra director at my school overheard me play Liebestraum by Liszt and said I was very talented, especially for someone who's self-taught. She actually didn't believe I could read music that difficult in one year. I want to become a pianist, and I finally realized it. My parents aren't supportive of my decision, they would rather I go to university for med school. Anyway, I've been doubtful about considering being a pianist because I started so late. Regardless of my passion for piano, I look at all the great virtuso pianists, and they all started at such an early age and went to prestigious conservatories. I'm just a regular, self-taught, seventeen year old girl. I'm not expecting to become a concert-level pianist or anything, but I do want to do this for a living, and I will put every ounce of willingness, dedication, and passion I have. Any advice for me? I'd appreciate it.
- Irina
Dear Irina,
I'm impressed by your determination, but I can only give you the same advice I give to everyone. Whatever you do, please remember that no matter how good you are, the musical world is a fickle place. One can never truly predict his or her successes. As long as you choose to play the piano because you love it, you will be content with a musical career -- as a teacher, a concert director, a composer, an arranger, a critic, a writer, a concert pianist, an accompanist, a publisher, an entrepreneur, a conductor, or whatever else. If you choose to play the piano because you want to be a famous pianist or wealthy, you will very likely be disappointed with your choice.
Best wishes!
- Greg (Dec. 30, 08)
Sight Reading Every Day
Greg!
Thank you first of all for your performance in Edmond, OK on Nov. 17! It was truly delightful. I was wondering what piece you might suggest to someone who has taken piano lessons since age 5 (and continued through the first two years of college), but has played on and off. I now teach piano to about 6 students and would like to keep my skills up. After seeing your performance last night with the Browns, I'm encouraged to throw myself back into classical music. I'm not sure what piece to start with. Any suggestions? I've played: Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven) and movement #2 of the same work, Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum (Debussy), a number of Bach inventions, a number of Minuets by Mozart. Thanks again and thank you for your musically brilliant arrangements. ~Adar
Dear Adar,
Thanks for the kind words! I had fun performing in Edmond!
I think your questions would best be answered by a personal teacher who knows your strengths and weaknesses. He or she could guide you to pieces that would help you improve quickly and efficiently.
To get you started, there are some great pieces by Chopin you could consider -- nocturnes, waltzes, mazurkas, etc. Also, try learning some Mozart sonatas (K. 331, first movement, maybe?) or pieces from Bartók's "Microcosmos."
Another thing you could consider: sightreading. Sightread everyday -- find pieces that are easy enough to sightread (if that means starting with "Beginner Piano Book A," that's okay!) and as the months go by, gradually work your way up to sightreading Mozart and Beethoven sonatas. The better you are at sightreading, the quicker you'll be able to learn the pieces you intend to study in depth.
Good luck, and HAVE FUN!
- Greg
Career Choices
Dear Greg,
Im currently starting on Chopin's Revolutionary etude How long would it take to fluently play the Revolutionary study? I just seriously got into tonight, and just want to know..Im an okay sightreader, and I learn pretty fast..I learned Beethoven's 1st mov. of the Appassionata in about a week! But this piece seems a bit more challenging-as in note wise. Currently the most challenging piece I can play is Rachmaninoff prelude op.3 no.2 Scriabin's etude no. 2 and 3 op.65, and Beethoven's full Appassionata. Oh, and by the way, what is the salary of a concert pianist ?For the past couple of years the piano has been my passion, and I thinking about becoming a concert pianist.What are the benefits of majoring in piano?Ive been playing for 8 years now(I'm currently 14).Can I do it on the side if I become a film scorer? John Williams did that I think..
With all due respect, Kalen.
Dear Kalen,
Your questions don't have straightforward answers! It will take some pianists years to learn Chopin's Etude in C minor, Op. 10, No. 12; it will take others only a few weeks. There is no prescribed salary for a concert pianist; the total sum depends on the number of concerts performed and the size of the venues. Some pianists are impressively weathy; most are not.
Yes, you can play piano and be a film composer. All musical experiences are useful as a musician -- I've learned a great deal about playing the piano from composing (as well as from playing the violin!).
The benefits of "majoring" in piano vary from person to person. A degree in piano performance gives some people the time, focus, and education to hone their skills as a pianist. During my years at Juilliard, I not only became a better pianist, but I also learned about myself -- my strengths, my weaknesses, interests, and goals -- and this has served me immensely in my career.
Best wishes to you!!
- Greg
Digital or Acoustic?
Dear Greg,
I own a yamaha P250 ditigal piano and its really nice. The only thing is I just don't get that "acoustic" feel. It sounds just like an acoustic, though I still don't get that feel..I occassionally go to Eastman school of music to use their pianos, but it uses a bit too much gas.. And I 'm only there like once a week for 2 hours. My parents currently cant afford an acoustic, especially since the American ecomony is down. Do you think after this ecomony thing I should ask my parents to begin to invest in a real one? Or do you think I should just stick with the P250 until I move out and buy my own? -Kalen
Dear Kalen,
It's not just the feel, but the *sound* of digital keyboards that will hinder your growth as a pianist. Digital keyboards are unable to recreate the natural blend of overtones heard on a real piano; furthermore, they lack the immense variety of tonal "colors" that a real piano can create. As a pianist, it is necessary to learn to control these colors and overtones in beautiful ways. Developing your skills on a digital keyboard will weaken your ear's ability to hear these differences and it will prevent you from truly learning to exploit the tonal possibilities of a piano.
That said, you probably should evaluate your priorities first. If your number one priority is to become a classical pianist, then you really should be training on an acoustic piano, preferably a grand piano. If playing the piano is just one of many things you enjoy in life, then perhaps you should stick with the keyboard. Keyboards certainly have many advantages (I use my Yamaha P80 quite often!): they stay in tune, they make less noise, they hook up to a computer, and they are more affordable. For an aspiring concert pianist, however, these advantages are small when compared to the feel and sound of a real piano.
- Greg