It’s Never Too Late To Learn How To Play The Piano.
I didn’t start playing piano until the tender age of 20. (Pic of me here at age 20, courtesy of grandma 🙂 Prior to that I was an athlete. Played soccer for 6 years and football for 4 years. But I got injured a lot so I took up the guitar at age 16 and then piano 4 years later. Just a note of encouragement for those of you that feel it’s too late to learn how to play piano. I’m here to tell you that you’re not too old to learn. If you have the drive and the passion, you can do it! Go for it! As always I’m an email away and happy to answer your questions. Philip Wesley https://philipwesley.com/contact/
Philip Wesley2019-08-01T12:49:11-05:00August 1st, 2019|
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12 Comments
Norman Kraft
August 2, 2019 at 6:39 am
Great post, and a sentiment I have often said to others as well. When people write on piano forums asking if they are too old to play piano, the quick answers are often along the lines of “yes, if you didn’t start as a pre-teen it’s too late.” The problem with these questions and answers is different ideas about what “playing the piano” means. If I’m in my 50’s and want to learn to be a competitive classical concert pianist, then it probably is too late. If I want to play songs for myself and my family, and dabble a bit with classical piano, there is plenty of time for that!
Thanks Norman! Here’s to having fun playing the piano! Cheers and happy playing!
Philip
Scott Stark
August 2, 2019 at 8:03 am
I agree. It is never too late to start playing. I was 52 (56 now). I don’t expect to be a concert pianist, however, I get a great amount of enjoyment from playing and the music speaks to my soul. I will see where my playing takes me but I have no preconceived ideas of where that might be. Thanks for sharing your great music.
Philip Wesley
August 3, 2019 at 3:08 pm
Thanks Scott! Playing on your own terms and for the love of it!
Chas
August 2, 2019 at 8:49 am
I also agree that it’s never to late to play piano. I played guitar for many years and decided to try piano never looking back. I wish I could have studied however, it gave me so much pleasure throughout the years. I really appreciate your great talent and it gives me joy to listen and learn.
I didn’t start until I was 21 and studied with great masters, e.g., Gyorgy Sandor, concert pianist, recording artist, and friend of Bela Bartok. I now own a large music studio and piano publishing company. The music studio has students ranging from ages 4 – 87. I achieved an advanced level of playing, e.g., Chopin Etudes. Guests at the studio include David Nevue, David Lanz, and other artists, e.g., concert pianists. Adults usually progress twice as fast as small children. They have bigger hands, great coordination, easily understands, theory, etc. Don’t ever think you are too old to learn. There is a very long list of benefits from studying the piano regardless of your age. Philip Wesley is an example of what can be achieved, not only as a performer but a wonderful composer.
Philip Wesley
August 3, 2019 at 3:16 pm
Well said Phil! Thank you kindly for listening to and playing my music! And for teaching and bringing joy to others through music education!
Eyler Coates
August 2, 2019 at 10:43 am
One of the great New Orleans piano players, Dr. John, started playing piano as an adult, switching from guitar after injuring his hand in a bar fight (somebody shot him!). He became a walking library of all the New Orleans piano players before him.
Philip Wesley
August 3, 2019 at 3:19 pm
That’s awesome Eyler! I didn’t know that about Dr John!
Ana christina
August 6, 2019 at 8:36 am
Thank you for the encouragement , I m 50 ??‍? . It s a very hard instrument to learn . It takes a lot of practice but helps the mind to stay focus, instead of living in auto pilot mode .
Norman Kraft
August 6, 2019 at 11:22 am
I am in my mid-50’s and learning piano again. I studied piano for four years before my teen years, but haven’t done much with it since. Now, I’m learning music I want to play, rather than music my teacher wanted me to play, and having a lot of fun with it! Piano can be difficult at times, but there are some great breakthroughs along the way that make it so much better. Keep going!
Great post, and a sentiment I have often said to others as well. When people write on piano forums asking if they are too old to play piano, the quick answers are often along the lines of “yes, if you didn’t start as a pre-teen it’s too late.” The problem with these questions and answers is different ideas about what “playing the piano” means. If I’m in my 50’s and want to learn to be a competitive classical concert pianist, then it probably is too late. If I want to play songs for myself and my family, and dabble a bit with classical piano, there is plenty of time for that!
Thanks Norman! Here’s to having fun playing the piano! Cheers and happy playing!
Philip
I agree. It is never too late to start playing. I was 52 (56 now). I don’t expect to be a concert pianist, however, I get a great amount of enjoyment from playing and the music speaks to my soul. I will see where my playing takes me but I have no preconceived ideas of where that might be. Thanks for sharing your great music.
Thanks Scott! Playing on your own terms and for the love of it!
I also agree that it’s never to late to play piano. I played guitar for many years and decided to try piano never looking back. I wish I could have studied however, it gave me so much pleasure throughout the years. I really appreciate your great talent and it gives me joy to listen and learn.
Thanks for listening Chas!
I didn’t start until I was 21 and studied with great masters, e.g., Gyorgy Sandor, concert pianist, recording artist, and friend of Bela Bartok. I now own a large music studio and piano publishing company. The music studio has students ranging from ages 4 – 87. I achieved an advanced level of playing, e.g., Chopin Etudes. Guests at the studio include David Nevue, David Lanz, and other artists, e.g., concert pianists. Adults usually progress twice as fast as small children. They have bigger hands, great coordination, easily understands, theory, etc. Don’t ever think you are too old to learn. There is a very long list of benefits from studying the piano regardless of your age. Philip Wesley is an example of what can be achieved, not only as a performer but a wonderful composer.
Well said Phil! Thank you kindly for listening to and playing my music! And for teaching and bringing joy to others through music education!
One of the great New Orleans piano players, Dr. John, started playing piano as an adult, switching from guitar after injuring his hand in a bar fight (somebody shot him!). He became a walking library of all the New Orleans piano players before him.
That’s awesome Eyler! I didn’t know that about Dr John!
Thank you for the encouragement , I m 50 ??‍? . It s a very hard instrument to learn . It takes a lot of practice but helps the mind to stay focus, instead of living in auto pilot mode .
I am in my mid-50’s and learning piano again. I studied piano for four years before my teen years, but haven’t done much with it since. Now, I’m learning music I want to play, rather than music my teacher wanted me to play, and having a lot of fun with it! Piano can be difficult at times, but there are some great breakthroughs along the way that make it so much better. Keep going!