Is it too late to become great at piano?

Question

Specifically, jazz piano. I love jazz. I have a very good ear, developed from mostly learning guitar by ear. Throughout most of the 10 years I played guitar, it was rock and contemporary music, but I am really starting to love and understand jazz. I can read music, although I'm kind of slow since guitar doesn't really encourage reading unless it's classical, which I never really pursued. I just learned bass clef because I bought a keyboard last week. I am going to get lessons at the Conservatory of Music in my area (Portland Conservatory of Music). What do you think? I am 20 now. I figure by the time I'm 30 I could have something going if I really dedicated myself to the instrument.

Answer 1

I've been playing classical music for 10 years now and I am considered to be pretty good, but I would never say I've been as dedicated as

I should have been. (I'm asian, but I'm not one of those asians who competes) I'm just getting into jazz frankly you really don't have to read music all that much to be good at it.

By boyfriend has played guitar for about the same time I've played piano- He really enjoys jazz, can't really read music, and he sits down at the piano and just plays. He has a h**l of a good ear I guess. haha he's one of those people whose music has colors... Im sure that helps

In ten years, with dedication, you could be as good as anybody else.  

Answer 2

don't worry, you will definitely pick it up. you already have some basic...... experience, so it will be great. i started taking piano a few years ago without knowing anything at all. trust me, i knew NOTHING. now i wasn't playing jazz and all, but in about almost two years i was playing at recitals, i could learn songs very easily, etc. it will help you tremendously since you can learn from ear. i never really had that quality, and i kinda suffered (suffered is not really dead on to what i mean, but you get it). you will do great basically :]

Answer 3

it is never to late to be good at the piano!

Answer 4

Nah, it's not too early as long as you're willing to work hard.  Jazz piano goes really deep--as deep as classical piano in my opinion.  Good reading skills will help a lot, but aren't an absolute necessity.  The same could be said for some amount of classical training (with a focus on technique).  A great ear is probably the most important--and if it's your strength, then I'd recommend developing it as much as you can!

Also, with jazz, the more solo transcriptions you can do, the better.  It really helps to learn the vocabulary, develop good style, and develop the ear.

Answer 5

Never Ever To Late To Succeed At Something !

Answer 6

just take lessons, its never too late if you put your heart into it. ;]

Answer 7

If you're only 20 I would say you still have time to do it....You might have a lot of catching up to do compared to people who started at an earlier age, but if you already have musical talent I would definately go for it...

I love jazz music too, I started playing the bass guitar when I was about 15, and within a year or two I was very good.....I usually played 2-3 hours per day though....If you want it, go for it!!!