Instruments

[Sparrow]

So my new goal is to become a master pianist XD. I've never played an instrument before and I hope it's not too late as I'm almost 17. I just love the piano. Anyone here play any instruments and has it been a difficult task to conquer?

Sorry for short post, I'd give details but I'm friggin exhausted.

 

[Mints]

You sure will take long to achieve that as you started late, but it is posible none the less.

Piano is easy, only gets kinda hard when you get into the (terribly awesome and epic) fast-paced songs like allegros. Or the realy long ones. Those are a pain to learn, as you can't stop midways on the song to change the sheet .

 

[Hawkeye]

I started playing the guitar at 16. I've loved the instrument ever since.

I was kinda thrown into the deep end. I was given lessons for a year and a half and then my guitar teach had to stop giving lessons due to family complications. He gave me all his student who he had been teaching for 2-3 years.

If you put the effort in you can progress quite quickly. I found that when learning my guitar I had barriers similar to those body builders get. You get to points where you don't feel like you're progressing and then one day BOOM! you improve significantly.


Learning an instrument is really good for your mental health and reduces the chances of getting mental illnesses or at least according to the latest research.

 

[Wish]

It's never too late to learn an instrument! I, like you, wanted to learn to play the piano, and I didn't begin until I was 17. It's been a little over a year and a half since I got my keyboard and I think I've made pretty good progress. The best part is that by playing an instrument for myself (I had previously played trumpet in school bands for 8 years which offers very little in the area of individual expression) my interest in music increased greatly, and my musical knowledge has increased a bit with it. An entire new world of possibilities has opened up to me by learning how to express myself through the musical medium and I can say with complete confidence that buying that keyboard was one of the best decisions I have made in my still young life.

If you're looking for inspiration check out the film Amadeus.

EDIT:

You get to points where you don't feel like you're progressing and then one day BOOM! you improve significantly.

These moments definitely occur and they are truly amazing - can make me glow for days.

 

[Shatokan]

I played Double bass in school for 8 years and loved it, i'll get back to playing it, but not till i can afford my own bass.

 

[Da Blob]

I played a number of instruments when I was younger,. The key to being good, besides having a "Good Ear" is practice. I practiced an average of 28 hours a week when I played.

 

[Ermine]

So my new goal is to become a master pianist XD. I've never played an instrument before and I hope it's not too late as I'm almost 17. I just love the piano. Anyone here play any instruments and has it been a difficult task to conquer?

Sorry for short post, I'd give details but I'm friggin exhausted.

Good luck. I think the speed at which you will progress largely depends on your motivation and how much you practice regularly. For example, I have been playing piano for 10 years, since I was 8. With that amount of time and enough drive, I could be a master pianist right now. But instead, I am still at the upper intermediate level because half the time I was just being forced by my mom (also my piano teacher) to play. I didn't play for the love of playing until 2 or 3 years ago. So drive is very important.

Another thing about piano is that it seems to be hard to make the transition from plunking out tunes to sight reading/advanced pieces. There's just a lot mental changes that have to happen, like how you approach a piece of music, how to practice, how to develop correct muscle memory, etc.

I also play guitar. While I have been playing since I was 12 (6 years), I really made most of my progress in 2 years. Why? Because I was really determined to be a great rock guitarist when I was 14 and 15. After that, my drive died off, and it's been really hard to get back to the same level I originally achieved. So I think passion for your instrument is very important, as is consistent practice. Treat it like a part time job.

And I thought I'd let you know that you're not the only one. I've really been wanting to learn how to play the cello. Currently, I don't have the money to buy a cello, but I've been looking into "rent to own" options. I just thought I'd let you know that you're not the only one trying to pick up an instrument at an "old" age. I'm also trying to pick up the "voice". Luckily that instrument doesn't cost anything.

Speaking of which, I don't get why people discourage people over 14 from picking up an instrument. I think age has nothing to do with it. It all depends on the drive, willingness to learn, and consistency. Anyone can muster this at any age, yet most people have to be pessimistic. It's a little angering.

 

[Trebuchet]

I started playing drums at 23. While I never became great at it, I certainly learned a lot and had a great time, especially when I practiced for an hour a day (probably about the first 2 years). I continued to practice but time pressure dropped it to 20-30 minutes a day, and it wasn't nearly as good. So the amount of time you practice matters.

Like languages, children do pick it up faster. But so what? Music is for everyone, not just the prodigies who started at age 2.

 

[Firehazard159]

I played a number of instruments when I was younger,. The key to being good, besides having a "Good Ear" is practice. I practiced an average of 28 hours a week when I played.

Not necessarily true, I never practiced, and innately had a good ear :P

I do(did) however play Violin, Bass Guitar, Euphonium, and sing in a Baritone voice (I was also always first chair / lead, despite the other players practicing often ><)

@OP: I say it's never to late to learn, but man, I have issues with staying dedicated enough to master anything XD

I wish you all the luck, and hope your pursuit proves fruitful! Music is a wonderful thing.