I am I to old to learn?

[Incognito21]

Hello there... I am 19 years old, did few few years of classical piano when I was younger before stopping...

I've brought a keyboard two years ago, since then I've always had in mind to learn to play the key but unfortunately, I quite lost so here is my question:

I am to old to learn at 19  ? Don't get me wrong, playing by ear would be my dream  but I don't aspire to win a grammy  be a virtuoso neither  lol.

Secondly, I've read a lot about the importance of learning the major/minor scales, the circle of fifths etc... But I don't know how to practice, how a good program is build to then learn chords and chord progressions.

Finally, I some of you guys had advices, DVDs that you recommend I'd be more than happy to ear your advices.

Bless.

[berbie]

A better question would be; is 19 old enough.

[SketchMan3]

No you are not too old to learn.

[gtrdave]

You are NEVER too old to learn.
You just have to make the choice to do it and then follow through with the discipline to get it done.
Make simple easy to reach goals: first, I'm going to learn X major and Y minor scale across the whole keyboard. When that's done, I'm going to move on to Z triads, etc...and then practice X and Y scales again...and so on.
Learning music is a life-long process, not an overnight deal.

[PianoClubhouse]

Welcome to the site! NEVER too old to learn, NEVER too young to learn.

In general, i would begin with a finger exercise or two that you do every day (Hanon #1 is a good one). Begin with hands separate slowly, then try to put them together, ultimately picking up the tempo. The more consistently you do that, you will feel your fingers getting stronger, quicker, and having more endurance and precision.

Then pick a key that is your favorite (most beginners pick "C", plus the Hanon's are in "C", so its a convenient place to start), and then learn the scale & correct fingering. Practice that daily as well.

After about 5 min of Hanon and 5 min of scales, your fingers will probably be sore. But the more frequently you do them each day, the stronger your fingers will get, and you can do them for longer durations of time.

Lastly, find a few YouTube songs THAT YOU LIKE, in the key that you are practicing the scale in, and then try to learn them from watching. (I have a list of songs categorized by their keys, so if you get stuck here, let me know).

Thats probably the fastest way I would recommend to get going.....

[Gemini47]

Hello and Welcome. Each day is a blessing and an opportunity to learn something. You started your journey a couple of years ago, even escalated to classical training. Great to hear you are interested in resuming your training. I am in my early 50s and i started learning the bass 4 years ago. Just Do It. Enjoy and be blessed!

[berbie]

Clearly and beyond any doubt, you are not too old to learn to play any instrument of your choosing, including the piano/keyboard.  There's sense in asking you if you are old(mature)enough.  When the student is of the ages of say, 5 to their early teens,  some adult figure can require that lessons are taken and that the student will practice. they will make sure of and direct the whole process.

At 19,  most of that will be up to the person learning to play.  What is a 19 year old person doing or thinking?  We who are older can recall some of the things.  They didn't always include spending an hour or two(self required) practicing piano.  Can you practice scales for long periods of time? practice the same thing over and over time and time again until you internalize it?

Just be aware that the age of19 is not even a concern in the matter when considering if it's too old.  The question is whether a person of the age of 19 would have the maturity to do the things on his/her own that are necessary to succeed.   

[Incognito21]

 I wrote my first post with a mobile phone, sorry for the obvious grammar mistakes.

Also thanks for the kind words, truly happy of this warm welcome.

[Valeden]

19? Too Old to Learn? Never!  I would have you to know that I am 54 years young and I started playing at age 52. I now play for 2 churches and have been asked to play for more, but I gracefully decline because I don't want to be over loaded. All you have to do is say, " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and his Will will be done in your life. That is the secret. Put your trust in faith in God and he will supply your needs.

So each time you sit at the piano, say a special prayer to God and he will hear and answer your prayers. So, be careful about what you pray for, because you will have multiple calls requesting that you play for them. So, Get Ready, The Blessing Is On The Way!

Remember, "Pray and Practice Daily" and he will deliver.

Be Blessed

[Mysteryman]

I started playing piano in church when I was 19. That was a long time ago. 

[PianoClubhouse]

I started playing piano in church when I was 19. That was a long time ago. 

Yup, thats right around when i started too.

[Incognito21]

@PianoClubHouse, I'd like to thank your for the ressources you sent me by PM, feel free to send me more If it does not bother you.


This is truly inspiring to see the dedication and the kindness of the members here, again, thank you for your support.



I brought the first play by ear dvd of Jamal Hartwell Friday since it's in C but also  to get familiar with some progressions.

Right now, I know  the  fingering C and F major scale, but still need this mental sharpness to know each scale degree name. I've discovered with the circle of 4ths that each key is almost the same than the previous one: For example, if you start in F, the first 4 first notes are " new " and the last 4 are just the beginning of the C major scale... It makes more sense than the way I've learned scales in classical piano few years ago;

http://www.hearandplay.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Number-System-and-Circle-of-Fourths.jpeg

Could you guys suggest few scales I should start learning first?

Finally,  my English is quite poor,  French is my mother tongue  ( I live in Canada ) so obviously I use french forms in my sentences, feel free to correct me.

[baggettcindy]

I am also trying to get more serious about learning....it's frustrating. I started working on scales last night...Ive tried learning before and will be 46 next month. I am older, but don't want to be 85 still wanting to learn...uugh. I am frustrated also... I am taking bass lessons..(since Feb) and it is helping with theory..which is helping me to understand progressions with the keyboard and other theories concerning notes. This thread is encouraging...

[Incognito21]

I am also trying to get more serious about learning....it's frustrating. I started working on scales last night...Ive tried learning before and will be 46 next month. I am older, but don't want to be 85 still wanting to learn...uugh. I am frustrated also... I am taking bass lessons..(since Feb) and it is helping with theory..which is helping me to understand progressions with the keyboard and other theories concerning notes. This thread is encouraging...

I feel your frustration, I feel the same. Let's keep it up.

[4hisglory]

I'm also one of those on and off learner a. I'm back on and r'nt end to stay on now

[Incognito21]

What's kinda frustatring is that for some people, it is that easy to learn. I've done 3 years of school in piano and I wasn't even able to play anything of my own while a friend on mine who knows nothing about theory and took 0 piano classes is able to play anything by ear.

[jlewis]

What's kinda frustatring is that for some people, it is that easy to learn. I've done 3 years of school in piano and I wasn't even able to play anything of my own while a friend on mine who knows nothing about theory and took 0 piano classes is able to play anything by ear.

That is probably because the focus between the 2 of you was different.  Most formal  music education focuses more on reading music,  and accurately reproducing  what is on the sheet.

Your friend  focused on  playing by ear. What most people don't realize is that when you play by ear,   you also   learn chord structure and  what chords sound good together.  they also learn to play in different keys ( although most ear only players can't tell you what key they are in).


Jlewis

[T-Block]

What's kinda frustatring is that for some people, it is that easy to learn. I've done 3 years of school in piano and I wasn't even able to play anything of my own while a friend on mine who knows nothing about theory and took 0 piano classes is able to play anything by ear.

Yeah, some people have a natural gift for it. However, you still have to practice in order to get better. No matter how long it takes, just stick to it and don't give up. Stop comparing yourself to other people and learn the way you learn. Everyone's musical journey is different.