How long does it take to learn piano? The TRUTH

In this lesson, I explain how long it really takes to learn piano. Truth is, the answer isn't the same for everyone. This lesson if for beginner, intermediate, or advanced players.

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[LessonsOnTheWeb]

Whether you are a beginner just starting out playing piano or you are looking to take your existing music skills to that next level; my online courses will help you do just that. Learn, practice, and master the skills you need with instructional video, accompanying notes, printable sheet music, assignments, worksheets and activities. If you like my content here on YouTube, you will LOVE my courses.

[steveball]

I am now 72 years old. When I was a child I REALLY wanted to learn to play the piano. I was fascinated with the ability of accomplished people I saw playing piano on television. I begged to learn to play. Back in those days (the 1950’s) there were no electronic keyboards. You had to have a real acoustic piano. My parents just could not afford it. I thought it was cruel fate that I had friends who had a piano, they hated it, but their mother made them practice anyway. To my parents' credit, they did get me a trombone and a few private lessons. I did well earning some awards in solo recitals. I also played first chair in our high school band. I learned the bass clef very well with the trombone. I finally retired from working at 71 years of age. I purchased an electronic keyboard, purchased your on-line lessons, Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano books and got to work. I practice 7 days a week for at least an hour. I find the time flies by. It is truly a Zen experience. I have not lost the love or the desire to learn this instrument and am so thankful that I now have the time (being retired) and the ability to finally learn. So, I guess that would make me a “motivated hobbyist”. I’m very happy with that.

[Astrothunder_]

Its taken me probably 8 years to reach that hobbyist level. I spent far less than 7 days a week studying, it was very off and on, and I only had a piano teacher through a course in highschool. So almost everything I have learned, including all of the theory, has been self taught from books. Anyone who may read this, dont let anything hold you back from learning. Not lack money for a teacher, or lack of money for a quality keyboard, or not enough time after work/school, every little bit counts and soon you will look back on your decision and be happy you chose to learn!!!

[shotokan]

I'm a hobbyist. Unfortunately i had a stroke about 5 yrs ago and totally forgot everything I learnt and had to start again from the beginning. It's been a long hard slog but I'm definitely improving. My biggest struggle is my left hand playing chords and arpeggios with my left hand which is still quite weak😔

[johndouglas]

Professional. I started my career in 1970 at age 13 when I started giving lessons to neighborhood children, studied piano and pipe organ performance at USC in 1974. Been organist at the same church for 48 years and still teaching private lessons now for 52 years. I have accompanied opera singers, violinists, cellists, and a solo piano concert every once in a while. Just turned 65 and still learning every day. It does take a lifetime so patience is key to success. I started at age 5 and was quite proficient by 13. My private teacher encouraged me to start teaching. Best wishes to everyone in your musical journey.

[flobenzo]

I’m a hobbyist, been playing for almost 10 years but never had a teacher or pushed myself to learn technique, music theory was my only strong suit. In the last year I’ve improved so much by going through the fundamentals, I wanna push myself to that professional level. I don’t plan on making it a career, but that’s the skill level I’d love to achieve one day.

[bh]

I am 76 and decided to learn piano to keep my mind as sharp as possible. But, now that I have started I find it fascinating and am on the hobbyist road.

[zekiyezeynepsahin]

Hi Tim. I am a motivated hobbyist, to be sure. I always wondered about how much time I should devote each day for my goal. Now after watching your video, I am clear. I am definitely pleased to hear that one hour a day is enough for me. I play for my own enjoyment and also to keep my brain active..I am highly interested in neuroplasticism.. A few days ago I heard a neurologist talking about how to keep the brain healthy.. She said “I advise you to play the piano “. She said “ learn a new language “. I am very happy to hear that… Because I am playing the piano and I am learning a new language. Arabic… Thats my second hobby..

[kathysaleeba]

Hobbyist. Learned at lot through Tim's classes. Started with an in person instructor several months ago. I am improving but it is S L O W. I've never been challenged like my instructor challenges me. Someday I will hopefully feel like I am a piano player. I'm a struggling wannabe most days. But, motivation is still quite strong.

[ThePROFESSNAL]

Thank you for being honest. I want to learn as fast as humanly possible but 3 months in, 7 days a week, a few hours a day, I’m beginning to realize it’s going to take more time than I thought. I’m still going to push my goals. I’m 42 and I want to play NOW.

[mrsbucky]

The best advice I ever got since starting to play last year at 62 was ~IT'S A JOURNEY ~ ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

[Bryan_Rowen]

I started about two years ago. My goal is to master the instrument. I would like to sit down and play like Chopin and Liszt etc with my own feeling and even my personal touch and elaborate on the pieces I play. It’s an amazingly individual journey learning piano.

[GBennie]

Motivated hobbyist purely for my own enjoyment, always loved the piano, had a keyboard most my life, just never spent the time to learn, now 43 and find I have far more patience so just started my journey, got a Yamaha P-45 a couple of months back and been playing every day 1-4 hours since, love it so much and don't care how long it takes.

[alex_jpeg]

I aspire to be a professional, solely for classical music..
I recently started playing a few months ago because I fell into the hole of classical music, I have no other music experience but I am so happy now because of it! I’ve been practicing 4-5 hours a day 5-7 days a week and it’s super helpful. Also I think really studying music theory is helpful for beginners but that’s just my opinion, I study science in school so I always learn things best when it’s from that approach

[BlemLeng]

Motivated hobbyist. I am now 18 years old and I’m playing for a few years now. I’m currently learning the Moonlight Sonata 3rd Momement :)

[kanki]

Started practicing notes and music theory in last August. Bought piano in August after having some sense of the theory. Started practicing, one hand at a time and it. was. challenging. at first. 🤯

Been practicing since then anything between 15 minutes to 3 hours a day 6-7 days a week. Always when there is time.

Only when I bought Hanon exercise book things really took off. Practicing Hanons constantly as a beginner has developed everything they promise those will do. Finger control and sense of position and location on keys. Stamina and dexterity - of BOTH hands. 🙌🏻

In addition to Hanons, I practice simple piano songs I like and something more complex, yet doable.

After 3-4 months I can read from notes slowly and practice new songs. Would call myself a "motivated hobbyist".

Your videos have given me many good ideas for practicing and technique ideas. One of the best is how to read chords fast. Thank you so much for making the videos! 😄

[lawrencetaylor]

I've been playing for a year and started lessons 2 months ago. My biggest improvement came when he put Bach Prélude in C in front of me without all the notes written in above the staff, and I had to read the notes. So I dived into learning sightreading, and voilà. I'm still not at a Grade 1 level, but I'm getting there. Tim has many great videos about this.
I want to be like my Mom, who bought a piano at 65 yoa and played for another 20 years. I remember listening to her in her 80s and she played a decent level, without You Tube.

[starros]

I struggle with finger substitutions when reading a score. When to use what fingers and why are what I need to understand. I really appreciated your clarity in your instructions, Tim. Thank you!

[cherylrau]

Hobbiest...had my first recital at age 54.. after a year and a half of lessons... I was very nervous at my recital and by hands were shaking and felt like sausages but I pushed through the recital and was glad I did it.. I'm continuing to do piano because I am trying to improve myself and things I've never tried before and my children are grown up and I have time to practice.. it's more of a self-love thing.. at first it was kind of hard because it's hard to read music for me but now I'm able to see the music and play.. I just keep challenging myself different songs I enjoy and I'm getting faster at learning them.. it took 3 days to learn fur Elise.. where before I worked on the song for 9 months before I had it down... Going to keep playing I figure in 5 years I'll be really good ❤️

[michaelungar]

Motivated hobbyist into it for my own enjoyment. and to maintain mental and physical dexterity as I get older. I've also developed a greater appreciation for the music I enjoy listening to. Have been playing almost 8 years; first 4 taking group lessons and self directed for the last 4. Recently started taking your intermediate course which is helping cement my knowledge and skills. The key is practice, practice, practice.