The best time for planting a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now.

@thegreenpianist7683

6 жыл бұрын

JAMES KRAMER exactly ;)

@gaberwokykerfuffle2763

6 жыл бұрын

😉

@giorgosboultadakis4592

5 жыл бұрын

Nice one!

@thisorthat4195

5 жыл бұрын

I'm totally stealing this. Thanks.

@flickchic238

4 жыл бұрын

Wow sooner is better than later

I started 3 years ago when I was 74. Playing the piano has brought me great joy and I have a wonderful teacher.

@rafadydkiemmacha7543

2 жыл бұрын

How is it going for you now?

@nmonye01

2 жыл бұрын

❤️

@MrBaldylocks13

2 жыл бұрын

I'm 68, piano has helped keep my brain a little sharper and, of course, is giving me joy through the beauty of music.

@jonathanpork-sausage617

Жыл бұрын

@@rafadydkiemmacha7543 She either gave up or died.

@RUT812

Жыл бұрын

@@MrBaldylocks13 I started classical piano lessons at age 7 & stopped at age 17. I was fortunate to have a certified master teacher, & I can’t emphasize enough the value of having a good teacher. I’m 62 now, & even though I play at an early advanced level, there’s always more to learn. I enjoy it & like you said, it keeps my brain sharp.

It is a myth. I was 20 when I began playing and 27 when I was accepted into music school and 30 when I graduated with my BA in Music.

@batuhankaynar5997

3 жыл бұрын

hi, where did you go to the conservatory

@randykern1842

3 жыл бұрын

Batuhan Kaynar who said anything about a conservatory? My alma mater is Virginia Commonwealth University, school of the arts, department of music.

@batuhankaynar5997

3 жыл бұрын

@@randykern1842 thank you some places have age limit,Although I was older I was looking for places to go. My English is not very good I hope you understand

@azrielgraciosa1926

3 жыл бұрын

Really??

@randykern1842

3 жыл бұрын

Batuhan Kaynar there is no age limit for a degree, that is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!

I am 45. As a kid I always wanted to learn piano. However piano access was difficult where I lived and owning one was out of the question. They were just for the wealthy. FF to today, my son is 12 and has huge natural talent. I told him I dream of him playing my favorite Pucci I Musseta Waltz someday. He nailed it before one week had passed and it brought tears to my eyes. He is upgrading from a cheap Casio keyboard to a Clavinova 645 this week. I am as excited as he is. He is keeping his keyboard for school events. Last night I woke up at 3 am and just thought : "could I fulfill my childhood dream starting at 45"? I mean, I have no pressure (neither has he), now I have 2 tools, lots of online resources, I just want to play basic stuff. I WILL TRY IT!!!! I am so excited!!!! Am I a fool?

@ganbaatarkh

5 жыл бұрын

I am 31. I am encouraged by your thoughts man! My daughter is starting to play Piano so I will start learn with her.

@MrJohman99

5 жыл бұрын

Not a fool. Go for it!

@nats1650

5 жыл бұрын

Go for it ! You are never too old to have a dream ... You can do whatever you want to do , age does not matter. Yes surely , it is best to start as a child , but life is about learning new things and keep moving forward. Just practice, practice, practice !!! and you'll be very happy that you have fulfilled that feeling inside! Best of luck !

@aku7598

5 жыл бұрын

maybe sing along with the right hand score with solfege-do di re ri ... help you remembering the keys

@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

5 жыл бұрын

Suggestion: I'm middle-aged. Started on 6 string as a teen and got out of it. I can play a lil bass guitar, drums, sing lead and a bit of piano if pushed into it. I found a program like Playground Sessions to be most helpful. You would need a keyboard modern enough to have a MIDI connection on back. My Roland XP-80 is from the mid-90's and works fine with a MIDI to USB on my 8 year old HP laptop. If it lags, shut down completely and restart. btw, the IN MIDI plug goes to the OUT on the keyboard and vice-versa. I don't know why. But that's the only way it talks to the program. So, started getting back into it. YES, it's more work than it was when I was younger. I'm also ADD, the sort that can get depressed. BUT, not that it's not worth trying. I don't play around online much and I don't watch TV. I use all my spare time playing piano, doing vocal scales or reading drum clef. I do that as early as possible at least 20 minutes each instrument. Playground is helpful for basics. You WILL need an in-person instruction at some points, particularly being 100% new. Online is worthless because of computer lag on Skype-like video calling. I also have a high drop rate, and that's at home with a good connection in a major city. From my experience as a drummer, and I've been playing for years, it still took forever to do anything on a video call that we could do (and did) in under 5 minutes in person. Any Guitar Center has lessons now. Most colleges with a music program have kids looking for some work or a billboard you can post on (ask how to get approved to do such). Find out what the going rate is. It depends on how good the guy is, however if you're "new-new," anyone with any piano experience at all should be able to help. Being new, you wouldn't know a great pianist at this point. I don't mean that to sound negative/insulting, but I can tell by one bar how long Josh has been playing by his "feel." A good 20-25 years. Newcomers can't tell yet. :) Oh, TALENT is a bunch of baloney. If you WORK at it, any idiot can play any instrument. Use the video function and go live on KZread every day or so and watch your progress. Going live means no downloading wasting time. Btw, some GREAT players aren't good teachers. Especially to the ADD people like me. I will KILL MYSELF to get "Linus and Lucy" by Vince Guaraldi (Peanuts theme) in the slightly easier C minor key (over the Ab he did it in, I think) on Playground, but God help you if you teach with one 45 year-old BORING piano book, full of stuff I couldn't care less about, lol. And you teach everyone the exact same way out of the same boring book. To me, that's a very lazy, not a great teacher. You have to get someone who LIKES teaching and knows how to explain in a way you understand. Who doesn't explain say "single stroke rolls" for 20 minutes on drums, but shows you "Achille's..." by Led Zeppelin and the snare thing makes it obvious how it should go and how it should FEEL (most importantly). Have a go at it. If you get bored, try another teacher. Try that Playground Sessions for a month or so. Free trial. They have sales all the time, too. The best rate is Black Friday for 189.99 lifetime membership, which is a steal. For the record, I've spent 2-24 hour days and 8 hours on the program so far (there's a timer), so LOTS of stuff, even if you go into it KNOWING a fair amount, like I did. I don't get anything from them. Just a great program for this. Lots of great songs which makes me want to play. jmo :) BTW, in 10 years, how old will you be if you DON'T try? Just takes a small commitment daily. Don't buy the "Play piano in 30 days bit." That's hardly all-inclusive, lol. But you could get a basic song done in 30 days from zero, sure. Maybe sniff around in your area for other beginning players. You learn A TON playing with others.

“We’re not studying music to beat somebody or to make a lot of money or to try and be this famous concert pianist, because they aren’t doing it for the money but for the passion” really well said 👏🏻

I am 112 with onset stage 4 herpes, i have aways dreamed of being a world class pianist. I have just started, thanks!

@euomu

4 жыл бұрын

Sexy

@Weaseldog2001

4 жыл бұрын

You are my inspiration!

@fgdsfgsdfgdsfgdfgsdfgsdfgs8679

4 жыл бұрын

@@Nick-wu5ll it makes sitting down for long periods difficult

@powskier

4 жыл бұрын

Gross.

@shadowlatifah

4 жыл бұрын

Don't think u will be a world class pianist with herpes...

I started playing piano when I was 17 (middle-aged now) and at the time I felt like I was 10 years behind and it always bothered me. How could I possibly "catch up"? That was foolish. Josh is so right about it not being a race and it really does not matter when you start, just that you do start.

@joshwrightpiano

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your kindness Sam!

@breathe4778

7 жыл бұрын

Sam McBride That's awesome, I'm 17 and just started a year ago. I look forward to many years of playing.

@sammcbride2149

7 жыл бұрын

That's great and it'll get even more interesting and fun along the way.

@sammcbride2149

7 жыл бұрын

That's great progress. Sometimes we surprise even ourselves.

@nicosjazz71

7 жыл бұрын

Dinkelstein Kerman so you started, 19 so you 21 in two years, and you play appasionata and L.v. B op. 111. in two years, WOW, WHO YOU WANT TO FOOL? I don't think so!! you are happy if you play Twinkle Twinkle little star!

I'm 19, I always wanted to play piano(since I was 5) but my family was against it, they always used the argument focus on studies. Now I'm almost done with university, so I find it a good time to start Learning piano, to start reliving the dream that almost faded away.

@PeterHontaru

4 жыл бұрын

I've also started piano after university - please do give it a try yourself and see how you feel about it in one year's time

@SherlockJo

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Arlevin bd, I hope you've continued to pursue piano! How are you doing?

@imprsk6729

3 жыл бұрын

Arelvin bd...My daughter played piano as part of her studies!! Music and Music Technology A levels alongside always playing piano!

@changing22

2 жыл бұрын

That's so sad 💔

@belindadrake5487

Жыл бұрын

‘Well your will be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.’ Sings a young Cat Stevens’ LIVE YOUR DREAM PEOPLE’! Best of luck 👊🏾😃

I am 66 and I started piano when I was 45 I'll never be great but I can play songs comfortably for myself and for my friends at Gatherings and parties Etc and it's a wonderful feeling to be part of that fraternity of men and women that can play the piano, you can do it but note I woodshedded for three years, it takes a burning desire to be honest.

@HenryArko

5 жыл бұрын

You would be very great if you played Hanon one hour per day for 2 years

@wolfgangmozart5247

5 жыл бұрын

Woodshedded? huh?

@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

5 жыл бұрын

@@wolfgangmozart5247 "Woodshedding" is referring to practicing. First heard Danny Seraphine say it. Comes from drummers usually got relegated to the woodshed so no one else had to hear them, lol.

@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823

5 жыл бұрын

@@HenryArko I'd shot myself in the face in 5 minutes if I had to play those moldy, old boring books, lol. :) Give me something I want to play like "Linus and Lucy?" and I'll get it. But I can't be bored with endless, tedious exercises and scales with no payoff, ie, stuff I want to learn :)

@douglaswilliams7720

5 жыл бұрын

@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 I agree. I refused to have the usual lessons, because it seems so boring to learn graded music. I had a teacher though, who said one problem is that fun pieces tend to be grade 6 and above, so you can spend the first years doing pointless tunes and dull exercises.

Hello all, I'm 28. I finally decided to learn piano. It's difficult to do in-person classes during these pandemic times but I found a teacher who is willing to give lessons over Skype. Happy and excited that I'm finally doing it. Also, today's my first class with my new piano teacher. I'll update y'all in a few months. If you're in dilemma, do it. Good luck!

@sunnysouthguy357

3 жыл бұрын

How is it going so far?

@AkhilGavankar

3 жыл бұрын

@@sunnysouthguy357 Hey Tehri, 3 weeks in. Been practising 1 hour everyday. Most difficult thing for me was getting coordination between left and right hand. Making left hand play different notes than right hand was challenging. I can do that to some extent now. I also learnt to read sheet music properly. Still getting familiar with piano layout and keys. So, far off from playing anything complicated or with lots of speed. As an adult, at times, it can be frustrating to learn piano. Because my brain can read sheet music and knows what keys to play but it just doesn't translate to fingers easily. (Lack of fluidity and technic perhaps) I've recorded my video of first day playing piano. When I look at it, I feel like I've come so far. Day to day progress might not be vastly noticeable but over the time it adds up. I'm not sure if I'll be able to play any classical pieces ever. But atleast that's the goal I started with and plan to keep going. So far here's what I struggle with-- 1. Changing hand positions from one measure to other quickly. 2. Trying to figure of what my finger position should be when I play something for the first time. 3. Left hand sort of feels heavy and thus uncoordinated Sorry about the long message! Hope that helped.

@henrykwieniawski7233

3 жыл бұрын

​@@AkhilGavankar Good job! Keep up the good progress! :)

@AkhilGavankar

3 жыл бұрын

@@henrykwieniawski7233 Thanks Henryk. Still going strong. Motivation is still as high as day 1. I wish I'll be able to play like you in future. Wonderful uploads! Very Inspiring! :)

@sunnysouthguy357

3 жыл бұрын

I got a piano in August. Also been practicing everyday. I got some material if you want. I'm struggling with adding fills to dead spaces

I don't think the question is literally "is it too late" to begin. Obviously, there is no law against beginning piano lessons at a certain age. I think what is implied in the question is "if I begin learning piano at XY age, is reasonable to assume I can achieve YZ level of proficiency."

I am 50+ and just started 2 years ago. Having barely any music exposure when growing up, I always feel playing piano is such a beautiful thing in life. Thus, I bought a second-hand Baldwin in USA 20 years ago and paid roughly $1/ minute without hesitation for my daughter to learn. The plan was to upgrade her piano if she enjoyed learning and continued to play. She did, taking lessons from great teachers of many nationalities as my family moved around following my job. She played very beautifully and I truly enjoyed watching her play. Every time when I thought of upgrading her piano, we were about to move to a new place, postponing the plan to “next time”. So the piano moved with us and our belongs to Middle East, Southeast Asia, and back to USA. By then my daughter was working at a different city and my son chosen drum instead of piano. There was no need to upgrade the piano any more. When taking my potentially last-job in S. Korea almost 2 years ago, I took the old piano with me, thinking that I could start to learn piano, because my son would be in high school and needed less of mom’s time. True. Then piano lessons in S. Korean are not cheaper than they are in USA. I world subconsciously swap financial “investment” in me learning a hobby to enrich upcoming retirement life with vacations any time. And busy work and travel schedules made it harder to have regular lessons. So I started to follow Alfred’s books for late beginners, teach myself, and watch KZread for guidance. Counting the lines and tadpoles at the beginning was very hard, but I really appreciate the blessing of having some time and a piano to learn and to play. This year Covid-19 has removed travel from my life and suddenly I have more time to practice piano, and am making good progress. This week I am on Alfredo’s Level 4 Green Forest. It’s a long story to make three points. First, pianists like Josh have contributed to great deeds of the world and I really appreciate their generosity. Second, I am sure I make lots of mistakes in self-learn playing piano. However, I learn to play for fun, not as a profession. Therefore, I am OK with some mistakes / imprecation (although I am sometimes being accused of being a perfectionist). Thirdly, as an armature, you don’t have to spend a fortune on a high-end piano or many expensive lessons if you live at places with freedom of information. My piano has witnessed tuners of different nationalities and personalities, lately, shockingly, being drilled and screwed by a wonderful Korean tuner who said a piano can last hundreds of years as long as they are properly maintained. Now my old piano feels legendary to me and I don’t want to replace it soon any more. Pianists like Josh published many free lessons online and make learning piano so much easier. By the way, Josh is one of my favorite virtual teachers because Josh is so gracious and explains techniques with great clarities. But my level is too low to understand Josh’s pieces - Hopefully one day I can follow one of Josh’s pieces and maybe take a lesson or two.

Thank you Josh for very good advice. I‘m 51 and started piano lessons 8 months ago from scratch. My teacher used most of the books as you suggested. I spend half of the time for technics and music theroy, and half for pieces. Now I can play 5 sonatinas, several minutes, Fur Elise, River Flows in You, etc. I memorized all pieces while I was learning. It took me 3 weeks to learn "Fur Elise", By the end of the 3rd week I can play whole song in memory. Then I just continue to polish on it. I have finished Hanon whole exercise parts and learned 13 scales for 4 octaves. I‘m planning to take California Certificate of Merit level 5 test (theroy & performence) next year. Learning piano is blessing, now I often go to senior apartment to play for my elderly parents. Besides piano, I do surfing, sking & taking care of my 12 year old son. Since I‘m working full time, I practice 2hrs week days and 4-6hrs weekends. My point is that it‘s never too late to learn like the saying "If there is will, there is way".

Im 40 and started 2 months ago. Loving every minute. It is very addictive due to the joy of progress. I got a Yamaha P45 digital piano and they are a fantastic entry level piano - highly recommend. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain! Once you start playing songs with 2 hands there will be no stopping you. Happy playing ✌🏻

@WDanniel

3 жыл бұрын

awesome, did u get a teacher? or by your own?

@sigmanine999

3 жыл бұрын

Daniel Alejandro I went on my own with an online program then finished that and practiced scales ever since lockdown started first round. I found a teacher when restrictions lifted. 7th lesson tomorrow ✌🏻

It makes me really happy to have seen so many comments of people starting to play the piano late, just like me. I really appreciate the effort you've put into your channel Josh - there's been so many videos that have helped shape my thinking and so many principles I've learnt from you. I've also started piano late (Jan 2018) and have already gone through the ABRSM grades (awarded distinction for grade 3 last year and hopefully will get the same for grade 5 this year). I've now opened up a channel where I hope to document my progress and inspire others to get out of the frame of mind that you can only learn to play piano if you started when you were still being breastfed. No, I might not ever play to a concert's pianist standard or have an extremely vast repertoire, but I'm sure we don't cook in the evenings hoping to become a masterchef in the south of France or go to the gym to become the next Arnold. Just do something that you enjoy on a consistent basis and see how much you can improve for yourself :)

@cleoneblake1987

3 жыл бұрын

Peter, I SO agree with you. It's encouraging to read all these comments.

I started at 43 years old and I'm loving it. Do what you want take your time with it and enjoy it .

I am 70. Started about 10 years ago. But interruptions since. Someone said, I am 50. But even If I practice for 5 years I will be 55. So, paraphrasing Ann Landers, how old will you be in 5 years if you don't practice piano?

@brianbernstein3826

5 жыл бұрын

I don't know what's funnier... that this comment makes absolutely zero sense, or that after it reached 70 thumbs up no one wants to put a 71st lol

@jERA2k

5 жыл бұрын

@@brianbernstein3826 ill do it

@lynngilbert1596

4 жыл бұрын

Kim Sanderhoff I am taking lessons at age 80 and love it. Crazy about Scarlatti!

@immers2410

4 жыл бұрын

Lynn Gilbert that’s really inspiring!!

@helenaville5939

4 жыл бұрын

WONDERFUL Lynn

I was so glad to hear that your grandma can still play those pieces. What a joy for the others around her in that home!!!

You're awesome man. So committed to helping out complete strangers online. I for one, really appreciate your effort!

Started piano at 60, I have a wonderful teacher, the lesson is the best part of my week. It’s not easy, but brings so much pleasure 🎹🎼🎵

"Don't retire, REFIRE!" I have not played seriously for fifty years, now I am enjoying surfing you tube and finding pieces to perform. I am still practicing towards a performance. I have realized the difference between playing and performance. Thanks so much for the lessons, they are helpful and inspiring. Pat from Cape Town RSA.

Hope all is well with your grandmother🙏🏽 thanks for the video; it’s very inspirational as a beginner who just got his first keyboard to see what years and years of dedication and hard work leads too!

To anyone wondering out there, it is NEVER too late. I played as a kid, and began playing this year, 30 years later! And even though I am pretty bad, I am having a blast! It is truly one of the most amazing instruments out there. I used to play classic as a kid (a lot of the books mentioned here) but I personally have more fun with pop rock. Strangely enough, pop rock has made me enjoy playing classic again too. So, no age to start playing, and I would say play the music you love first!

@michaelmusic6296

7 жыл бұрын

Great comment.

@gaberwokykerfuffle2763

6 жыл бұрын

David Levy+ I absolutely agree. I quit taking lessons as a kid because the music I was learning was boring. My new love for pop music has me learning again. No way would I put the effort into learning if I didn't love the music I was playing. I'm 73 and not sure my fingers will ever move fast enough but I am enjoying trying.

@benpietrzykowski9216

4 жыл бұрын

The Beatles are the best to play

@nyxlle

3 жыл бұрын

i agree thats its never too late until its actually late to do something...im referring to death.

@howardlitson9796

3 жыл бұрын

David Levy you are impossible to be piano teacher, but you are possible to be expert or excellent talent in other field or other occupation.

Today I turned 48. I never played an instrument other the recorder in 4th and 5th grade.. LOL I started taking piano lesson at the age of 46. As many have pointed out, it takes commitment to practice. My piano teacher is the BEST!

Great vid! It's amazing that your Grandma can still remember to play those pieces even with dementia....really shows the power of music!

Thank you for reviewing the tools we can use to learn the piano as an adult. My heart goes out to you and your mother and I feel for you as my father is also suffering through dementia.

I love your professionalism. By far the best online teacher on youtube! Keep up the great work.

I started learning the piano 2 years ago- I'll be 40 this year. I started at a music school- went to that for 1 year. My family had to relocate to a different island which had no music school. So after we moved I wasn't doing anything- then I started back on my own for a couple of months then stopped, then started then stopped. I just started again a month ago on my own again, but this time I have someone who knows music to guide me twice per week. Just knowing that I'm accountable to someone keeps me focused and helps to push me. It's been going great! This time there is no stopping! At this point, I can't play quick and smooth enough for anyone to sing along with me as I play, (lol) but I'm working on it. My sight reading has improved tremendously- everyday I choose random hymns from my church hymnal and try the treble clef. 2 weeks ago I could only play in slow motion the very top notes of the treble clef (soprano). Now I can play the entire treble clef without moving like a snail. Definitely not playing fast by a long shot, but I'm not moving like a snail anymore. I believe this is all due to my dedicated daily practice. (Adding the bass clef slows me down a lot, unless it's a veeeeery easy piece, but I'm working on it!) Also, everyday I choose a song that I know well and I try to find the notes on the keyboard without looking at the sheet music for it. I couldn't do this before I started again a month ago. I do not get all of the notes in one try, but with a few tries I definitely can identify the notes in the melody. Identifying the bass notes is more challenging (to me). I actually have some of those books that you have there since last year. I do not use them much if at all. But your video will force me to look at them from this week! :) So to those who are doubting that they can learn to play as an adult- MOST DEFINITELY YOU CAN!!! If I can pick it up, so can you! PS: WOW! I'm amazed at how quickly you are able to move your fingers... And also how easily you are able to turn to a page and play the notes so flawlessly! One day Donna... one day! :) (Almost moved away from your video because the sound is so low, but good video. Thank you!)

@MarsLos10

7 жыл бұрын

Donna Ible-White woohoo, your comment gave me tons of motivation to get up and keep on practicing some piano pieces I'm struggling to play these days. thank you, and I wish you all the best :) by the way, I find it difficult to guess the bass notes by ear too:P I'm 20 years old and I started piano lessons last year. thank you so much for sharing your story :D

@1kitts

7 жыл бұрын

MarsLos10 Thank you! And you're most welcomed. Remember, practice daily: pick a random sheet music and pick at it one hand at a time... And pick a random song from your head and try to find the notes. In doing that you'll be strengthening both your sheet music reading skills and your ears. It will get better. I'm still at it too. This quote by Anthony Trollope keeps me going: “A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules.” Best of luck to you. DON'T give up please!

@MarsLos10

7 жыл бұрын

Donna Ible-White great quote, I'll keep that in mind. thank you again for sharing :D I won't give up! I'm sure you will make it and reach your goal too. wish you all the best.

@1kitts

7 жыл бұрын

MarsLos10 Smiles... Will drop you a tune when I get there :)

@liyansheng3994

6 жыл бұрын

OK.

I started playing piano when I was 16 years old, and I have a bachelor's degree in piano performance from a conservatory

@atocp

5 жыл бұрын

my piano is in the living room, so the degree isn't worth as much.

@gwynbleiddroach2589

5 жыл бұрын

How did you audition, and how old were you when you auditioned?

@towardstheflame

5 жыл бұрын

@@gwynbleiddroach2589 I was 21 when I successfully auditioned. Practiced a lot after high school and decided to try my luck (with no expectations at all really) and surprisingly I got in. Just auditioned the usual way at the school.

@gwynbleiddroach2589

5 жыл бұрын

pima that’s awesome! Congrats. I’ve been playing for 4 years but I don’t have much of a repertoire. Only Chopin etude no.1 op.10, and many pieces I’ve written myself which wouldn’t count.

@annacole8595

4 жыл бұрын

pima hi I’m about to learn piano soon and I’m 18. I was going to start at a big university here in my state but something felt a bit off. I was beginning to feel frustrated and forced and things kept getting in the way so I knew that it wasn’t right. I originally wanted to do international business but then had this urge to play piano. I know this comment seems random but seeing that u started in your late teens like I’m about to, I just wanted to ask if u started in a university right away or started later on in a masters program? I’m curious of how your journey went and what advice you’d be able to give me if I wanted to play piano in college and beyond.

Thank you, I just found You! Thank you for encouragements. I am pushing 70 and began 2 years ago. 2x per week lessons, not as easy as clarinet in high school or my accordion lessons before then. This is challenging and i am really enjoying it. The more I practice the easier it gets. Just getting ready to graduate to baby grand, the electronic has been good to see if I could stick with it and to at least learn some basics. Your lesson on the differences was excellent. I feel the piano has to be the most satisfying instrument and could take several lifetimes to master. Again thank you, Dinah

Hello, Josh! I applaud you for making all these videos to help people play the piano. I only wish I had your energy and great hands! I'd just like to offer up my somewhat different perspective, for whatever it's worth. When I started lessons at 12, I didn't have any huge desire to play the piano. I just thought I'd give it a try. My dad played the piano well, and I always enjoyed hearing him play. But it wasn't like I had any burning desire to play the piano. A private piano teacher came to our home and I had a 30-minute lesson once a week. I was given the "John Thomas Adult Piano Preparatory Course" at first, and then in the next couple years, the next couple books in the John Thompson series. The really important "moral of the story" for me was that when my parents offered to pay for my lessons, they said they were glad to do that, but I had to agree to practice for 30 minutes a day. That seemed reasonable, and I agreed to do that. And that alone is really what made all the difference. I was (and unfortunately still am) a lazy person, and there's no way I would have practiced the piano for 30 minutes a day if I hadn't promised to do that. The reason that was good was just that in the beginning it was really hard, boring, and slow going. "What's that note?" "Where is it on the piano?" "Which hand plays the note?" "Which finger plays the note?" ETC. I found it so tedious that I put an alarm clock on the piano and kept checking it every day to see when my thirty-minute "trial" was done! But, as you can guess, because I kept at it (for not a second more than 30 minutes a day in the first few weeks, so happy was I to leave the piano!) week after week, I gradually became able to read very easy pieces, and I gradually started enjoying finally being able to play some music. So that's takeaway lesson for all readers of this now overly long response: If you can't read music--I couldn't at first--and are really starting from scratch, you must make yourself sit at the piano every day--30 minutes is probably a good time length in the beginning. I guess one comment I'd like to make is that your approach in some ways seems directed toward making concert pianists, with your recommendations of using the Hanon exercises (and Czerny, etc.). In my case, my teacher never had me use Hanon or any other books of technical exercises. In my case, at least, thank goodness for that! I personally find the Hanon exercises to be dull beyond endurance, even if changing the rhythm, key, articulation, etc. Rachmaninoff said that the Russian school emphasized those 60 Hanon exercises for students' technical training, and students were expected to be able to play any of the exercises "just like that" in any key, speed, etc. And heaven knows Rachmaninoff was a fabulous pianist. (And I am not!) But it'd have killed any possible growing enjoyment in the piano if I'd been made to play those Hanon exercises, Schmitt, etc. Instead, thank goodness, all I ever "worked on" (if I can call it work--I was never a very serious practicer) were pieces of music in the John Thompson books and then some other books with a variety of attractive pieces in them. I was never made to master any given piece, and, again, in my case that was a good thing. I would spend generally no more than three weeks on any piece, and if I played it more or less well enough, the teacher let me move on to a new piece. And in that way getting to know the piano and piano music became more and more enjoyable and was never any boring grind for me. If I had been made to spend X amount of time on the "finger gymnasium" Hanon exercises, I'd have come to associate the piano with dull and music-less finger wagging. I know that many people swear by the benefits of the Hanon exercises, but I'm grateful that I wasn't forced to grind away at them. Ultimately, it depends on what someone wants at the piano. But I tell my story just because it shows another way, in a sense the way of the lazy person who isn't that committed to "hard work" at the piano. In any case, as a result of my increasing love of playing the piano and never associating it (except in the beginning few months when I was learning to read music at the piano) with drudgery and "practice," my love for the piano blossomed and it continues to grow at my ripe old age of 59! In my case, it was that love that "grew my hunger" for more and more piano music. The result of that was that my sight reading skill increased dramatically as I was always reading through unfamiliar music. I am no brainiac--to put it mildly!--but because of my increasing "lust" for music, I could play Chopin's "Military" Polonaise fairly well when I was 16, and I'd gone through most of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" by then as well. Again, I'm not a very bright person and am generally a slow learner, but my increasing love of music is what made it possible for me to approach the two pieces I mentioned above within just a few years of starting the piano. So that's another big "takeaway" point in my view: Do whatever increases your love for music and the piano and consider not doing what feels like lifeless and uninspiring grinding away. UNLESS you happen to enjoy playing technical exercises like the Hanon exercises. Some people get into them. I envy them because I don't doubt that their fingers are better than mine, but I have a low tolerance for exercises that aren't themselves musically interesting. I do like the Burgmuller exercises, by the way, and some of the Cramer Etudes are quite beautiful. I recall Gary Graffman writing (in his wonderfully entertaining book "I Really Should Be Practicing," that his father had him practice the Chopin Etudes when he was young, but at a slow tempo, in other words, strictly as etudes. But the happy result was that after all that slow practicing, by age 16 Gary Graffman was able to play all the Chopin Etudes! If you have to practice exercises, might as well use the most beautiful etudes possible! Two things that I wish my teachers had done with me when I was starting: 1) Just ask me to "mess around at the piano" for a few minutes each day and try to pick out a melody that I knew at the piano and then try to add some harmonization. That's something I only started to do as an adult many years later, and yet I think it's really a useful way to get to know music better, the piano, improve your ears, and also become aware of what sorts of harmonies you like in music. 2) I wish my teachers had played duets with me. None of them did, surprisingly, from my first lessons through my private piano lessons at college as a non-music major. And yet duets are great fun and have so much to offer in developing general musicianship! Anyway, I guess what I'm just trying to say is that growing a deep love for music and the piano is the bottom line. Each student might gain from an approach that suits them in a way that might not other students. Call my way "The Lazy Bum's Way to a Life-long Love of Music and the Piano." I have very little in the way of self-discipline. It's really only a love of the music itself that has helped me to make some progress over the years. But I've had an incredibly joyous time over the years, and the result of my lazy-assed "non-approach" is that I can stumble through a very large chunk of the standard piano repertoire. Am I ready for Carnegie Hall? Not in this lifetime! But I can play through the Chopin Ballades "after a fashion" (or at least well enough to take a great deal of pleasure), the Chopin Scherzos, (again, "after a fashion"--don't expect any concert-ready performance!), many of the Beethoven Sonatas, the Brahms Rhapsodies, most of the two Chopin Sonatas (with the last movement of the B-minor Sonata being mostly memorized--just because I love that movement so much that I've spent a lot of time trying to play it! Impossible, but oh the joy I've taken in struggling with that great music!) Your approach seems logical and practical and sensible. And that's great! I wish I were a more logical and practical and sensible person! But my own life experience has shown me just how far love alone can take you at the piano. I'm no pianist, but I'm so in love with music and the piano. I was lucky to have three teachers who were pretty undemanding. I was never afraid to see my teachers and they were always supportive. I was lucky! Anyway, thank you so much for sharing your many videos with people who would like to play the piano. I admire your energy and enthusiasm!!

You are an inspiration and a generous teacher as well as marvelous artist! Your comments about your Grandmother were moving.

I started playing this year at th3 age of 28 back in April so about 7 months in and I'm currently working on J.S Bach- prelude in C major. Just go for it guys. Its well worth it if you're a piano lover like myself.

@carteralita5377

2 жыл бұрын

2 days to master that piece even for an adult beginner

@HenZoid93

2 жыл бұрын

@@carteralita5377 that is true but it all depends on how much practice time you put in. I am a beginner and I played probably 3-4 hours today :)

@gtarentals7905

Жыл бұрын

don't waste your time with classical music and training. It is really a waste of time. Focus on popular music. You will feel better believe me.

@fi_vionay7531

6 ай бұрын

​@@carteralita5377 How can someone who doesn't know how to read notes and who hasn't played Hanon before play it? In my 6th month, it took me 4 days to play by heart, not everyone was the same.

I am 37. I started 2 years ago. Now I am able to pay some Burgmüller exercises and other easy song. I am so happy with that. I study myself with books and youTube without teachers.

appreciate all your video tutorials. i'm in my 40s and started piano for two years. great encouragement and tips there! thanks!

I’m 73 and have just started learning piano. Growing up we had a piano in the house and I was too stupid to realize what I had available to me. I wanted nothing to do with it, and I had an aunt who was a concert pianist with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. I’ll be able to play in my coffin. 🤔

My ex was a concert pianist (not for the money! lol) and teacher, to make ends meet of course! One of her favourite or 'best' beginner students was a woman in her 70's. She just had the time, application and bloody minded attitude to stick at what she needed to do to learn what she needed to by the time the next lesson came around, also she was not too self conscious to worry about her 'failings' (weird how that can inhibit progress).

Thank you so much for sharing your experience!!!! This short video helped me A LOT!!!!

Thanks for this Josh. I'm 63 and have a few tunes I can play and only really seriously started last year. I'm trying to learn on my own. My first tune was La Donna e Mobile, right hand first because I'm left handed, then left hand and thought now here's a problem, I've got to put them together. It came together far easier than I thought it would. Very slow at first but improving as I kept playing. I taped myself playing Round Dance when I first started and it was horrible, slow, broken up, not flowing and just awful but it's coming together now. But I must get the piano tuned! It's throwing me off and I'm not playing as much as I should. I'm going to tape tunes and play along with them to get it right. Several years ago I was studying an Open University course and taking books to work to read at break times and after six weeks was asked what I was reading. When I told him he said, "I stopped learning when I left school." It's people like him who gives us a bad name to employers as if it's impossible for older people to learn anything new. It's never too late to learn if you want to learn.

Thanks for the pointers and inspiration. Cheers for your grandma too.

I really enjoy Josh's videos because I find them very welcoming, as well as confident, two qualities that are often at odds on instructional videos. I find the most frustrating piece of advice I hear is "find a good teacher" (similarly "mentor" in many motivational books). Good teachers don't exactly grow on trees and most musicians don't spend years learning their craft just to hand over that knowledge to ten year olds who won't practice. Of course, many musicians, with degrees, who perform or compose, will give lessons on the side, but teaching is its own unique skill set. Teaching means preparing, setting short and long term goals, explaining lessons in ways that communicate to the individual student, demonstrating, giving students solid instructions and guidance to take home for the weak. It's not enough to just tell a student to "play Hanon" or "play slowly" or "go practice". I feel confident posting this here because my sense tells me that Josh gets it. But I think it needs to be addressed that having a music degree from City College is not enough to be a good teacher of music.

@euomu

4 жыл бұрын

Exactly and even if you do have a 'great teacher' in mind with a lot of experience and a gift for teaching, chances are that person is either too expensive or not available due to high demand.

Great video. Very helpful and thanks for providing links to the books.

I am an adult piano learner, and what you said has encouraged me to continue to practice. Thank you so much. It is not too late! Yay!

Josh, this post is amazing. Thank you for your inspiring attitude!

Thank you for all these recommendations, and the possibility of playing even Hanon in so many ways!

Piano.My first teacher was the music god of my small town. In my kid brain, Felt that he decided who would be great or not. I was the not. So, I was not taught any techniques or scales. I then got a second teacher who taught all of this. The first teacher found out and was incensed. "I can' t have anyone interfering with my work!". At 58 years old, I still remember hearing this at the age of 9 or 10. We went right to the back of the music book. I had to play this "difficult" piece, over and over again. Tears were running down my face. He completed the lesson and never wanted me as his student again. The other teacher finished that year as well, but I had been sufficiently traumatized. She was moving from the area, and we never found another piano teacher. So, now mostly I just fumble my way through pieces. You tube is great. I can't afford a great teacher, or any teacher for that matter. My acquisition and loss of pianos is another trauma......

Thanks for the advice, Josh. I'm 32 years old and started piano lessons for the first time last week. It was my first time to sit on front of a piano and to press the keys. I don't own a piano and can't practice yet, but I have one being delivered to me soon. I can't wait to start using some of the resources that you've suggested. The Hanon book sounds like a great exercise book - actually very similar to John Petrucci's book for electric guitar, a technique bible. I'm looking forward to learning from your suggestions (and videos, which are all really good) and would like to represent the older people who have taken up the piano at a late stage in life and say that it's never too late to learn. It's a beautiful thing - to keep learning. Cheers!

Great Video and so informative--thanks for sharing all those good books. I started piano before college and have played off and on but have gotten serious about playing in my retirement years and I want to learn as much as I can. Again, thank you for this video!

I agree...after a 30+ year hiatus I started all over again and began composing, all on you tube now & 2 more to come!

Wow the AI or KZread logic got me here where I wanted to say the same thing. I started 3 months ago on adult accelerated book under an amazing teacher weekly in my home. The piano had been sitting there collecting dust for 5 years after my teenager daughter quit. I never thought of me trying. Pressure from coding work from makes me think I can de-stress myself so I began to look for the right teacher and I got right away. I can read the music from one class! After that music is my life partner and not a day goes by without me sitting there playing 20 minutes or more. I do not have agenda, I do not need compete and I do not make living out of music, I do not have parents to push me. What other better time you can start?

This is so illuminating I want to try this skills and methods. I have been looking to pick up string and keyboard after years of playing brass, but have had trouble translating the skillset. This is all so helpful. I am excited to try again.

Wonderful, inspiring video, Josh. Thanks. I just started learning piano 3 months ago at the age of 60. I'm practising at least an hour a day and sometimes two and making great progress according to my teacher. I wish I had started years ago but not regrets; I'm focusing on my goals. I always find your videos very helpful.

@edeverett8181

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your post. I'm 60 and thinking seriously about starting to learn the piano for the first time. Now I think that there might be hope for me.

@sparty2761

7 жыл бұрын

I'm 58 and playing abou 7 months, its comes on fast. Sight reading is by far the hardest but the scales are pretty easy, chords I, IV, V ...I like it.

Thank you so so much for your time and valuable lessons and experience and sharing it with us

What fun! Thank you, Josh!

I just started to learn piano with a great piano teacher about almost 3 months and I found u on my apps podcast and now here . I am a beginner but each week I go to my piano class I just get More inspired and more excited each time I go. But all these things he hadn’t recommended yet probably because I’m still in level one adult level one Alfred’s book. He is a great teacher but these tips I have not heard them yet maybe not ready but can’t wait to order them and add your content and recommendations for my success in piano . Always wanted to play since age 9. I’m 42. One regret in my life was I never started but hey I’m starting now thank you for all your time and pouring wisdom .

Thank You for the vid, I have piano as an elective for my senior year and I would love to continue playing after I graduate. :)

Your a very good teacher Thank you for sharing your information with the beginner piano players

Thank you! Very helpful. I have a few of these books and will check out the others.

Thank you for your advice and recommendations ! :D

Great video! Thanks for the book recommendations!

I’m 49 years young took lessons when I was 45 for 2 years and lm off and running you don’t need to know everything about piano in order to play it you don’t all your key signatures are you need is passion and you will learn quickly and enjoy yourself it is my go to Hobby I’ll never stop

Amazing helpful! Thanks man!

Great work Josh! Very valuable video, I'll definitely have a closer look on a few of these books. Thanks for your awesome videos.

@joshwrightpiano

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your support!

I'm 17 and I'm starting to learn piano soon! I'm so excited - I'm just doing it because so much music is able to be covered by a piano and flute is sooo limited (imo at least)

Josh, you are amazing!! Thank you for this. When I get my budget together I'll take advantage of your full pedagogy. I am so grateful for the advice in this video until then.

@joshwrightpiano

7 жыл бұрын

Alliteration Ace thanks so much :) I appreciate your kindness and support, and look forward to working with you in the future!

Thank you Mr. Josh. I'm an adult beginner at piano and your tips and videos are very helpful. Subscribed!

Hi Josh, my name is Steve W. and I just happened to sit in on your video and thought I would compliment you on your presentation and mostly your ability to get your message across in laymen's terms I soon plan to invest in your program for adult learning and am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. I am 49 years on the 10th of October and have been playing the guitar for 20+ years. Now I want to learn the piano.

Thank you Josh so much about this helpful information!

@joshwrightpiano

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Danny!

Thank you so much for your video. I played years ago and have recently started back at the age of 77. i still play Griegs concerto in A minor and the piano is my first love.

@michaelmusic6296

7 жыл бұрын

How many years did you play to be able to play Griegs concerto in A minor?

@ramonawalter1442

7 жыл бұрын

Just a couple of years consistently but on and off about 5 years. It is my first love though. I taught ballroom dance for 42 years and wish I had stuck with the piano.

@michaelmusic6296

7 жыл бұрын

Wow, that's really interesting, thanks for sharing.

@ramonawalter1442

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your videos.

Thank you so Much! I enjoyed your vidéo :) it gives à lot of encouragements!

Great info Josh, Thanks for sharing.

Very encouraging and helpful.

Just do it so in the end you have little regrets. Take advantage while you still have the motor skills. Life is too short.

Thank you so much. I've been trying to master the piano for years, but my life keeps getting interrupted. But I'm committing to it again (even though I'm 48 years old1 Thank you for inspiring me.

Thank you for sharing and I can tell you really care. Had to subscribe.

Amazing advice-- Thank you!

What an inspiring video, thank you.

You are crazy good on them keys, Mister.

Thank You very much Josh You are a LIGHT to all of US.

@joshwrightpiano

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Glad to hear about your grandma

I just started getting lessons. I tried going on my own with youtube and book lessons but, found i need 1 on 1 so i found a music school near me and now I am doing the 1 on 1 with a professional piano teacher

Thanks for the video and the links :)

Josh, i am 53 startes 2 years ago. Thanks for your recommendations from Germany. For months I am now learning Bachs Minuett in G. Unfortunately you played just a short start of it. For weeks I thought I would never get managed the combination of Stakato and Legato of my 2 hands - finally I managed it.

I'm 58 and re-starting to learn. (had some lessons as a kid and know a bit about music theory, etc. but my brain is very slow with coordinating right and left hands doing different things!) It's never too late, and it is helping me on so many levels. It is good for the brain and heart.

@PeterHontaru

4 жыл бұрын

I think it's all about consistency Lesley - one of my favourite things about playing the piano is how I move from playing something extremely slow to a moderate tempo and then normal tempo within a few weeks! our brains really are magnificent machines!

very helpful video, thanks josh!

@joshwrightpiano

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

These book recommendations are extremely helpful. 40 year old beginner here, currently working through selections from the Anna Magdalena notebook. These are accessible and fun, but kind of samey after a while, so it's very valuable to get these recommendations for other material I can reasonably expect to play.

@PeterHontaru

4 жыл бұрын

I love that book, I would also recommend Album for the Young by Schumann - it's similar but with a focus on romantic music

I am 55 years old and I started lessons about 1974 until about the 11th grade, 1984. Then I quit completely until about 2016. That is several decades worth of practice and education that I forfeited in the name of making a living, etc. And now I am planning to attend a local community college for piano instruction, theory etc. I have gone as far as I seem to be able to in terms of teaching myself the piano. Its time for professional guidance and thats what I am going to do, if its the last thing I do. So, in a way I feel like I am a "beginner" student, but I already know how to play. I just want to be a much better player in the time that I've given myself, which was ten years from 2016 to become "employable" at a club or restaurant, etc. Thats a tall order even with all of the basics already out of the way. Without having the luxury of a teacher over the past few years, I just decided to start sight reading everything I could get my hands on. So I grabbed a very large stack of old sheet music from the 20's 30's and 40's at garage sales and auctions and I just started playing them, one at a time over and over again. I have become fairly good at sight reading now and now I have thousand of songs in song books and sheet music that I can play fairly well. The huge variety of music presented so many challenges along the way that it has improved my playing in great strides. But it has taken me a few years to do this, without the benefit of a proper teacher. I think what many people here, like myself, worry that without the benefit of having learned from a very early age, maybe starting from scratch at an age over 30 or 40 may be too difficult because they didn't have the benefit of 30 years of keeping up on it all. And now to start fresh seems like trying to get all those 30 yrs back somehow. Personally I want to do it and have wanted to do this for many years. I seem to be driven by the need to know how to play properly once and for all. I sometimes wonder that I may not even be teachable in the first place. Maybe its just been too long, maybe I've dug the ruts so deeply in the way I play now that they can't be altered. I don't know what to expect, but I am going to go to school and find out.

@sonbirdmusicspace

2 жыл бұрын

Good for you! Enjoy!

I'm turning 40 in 2 days, and relearning piano after 20 years. Had basic training in my 20s, and your videos are giving me the motivation to carry on :)

same question I had as I don't know anything about music; this intro was inspiring though.

To any parents here, I would highly recommend the 1985 book 'The Right Instrument for Your Child' by the flautist Atarah Ben Tovim. Based on massive research, she said most people would be able to play an instrument if they had started out on one that matched their personal attributes. Few drummers are attracted to a recorder, or vice versa! Disgracefully, here in UK, non-wealthy kids are lucky these days if they get their hands or lips on any musical instrument at all at school.

@gaberwokykerfuffle2763

6 жыл бұрын

Howard Ellison+ Thank goodnes for KZread and all the teachers on it who have become the music teachers to millions obviously including myself and eveyone else here.

@MrTuMaEsTrO

5 жыл бұрын

Imagine countrys like Peru or Brazil. Here schools are not interested in music, they prefer maths and do exams, i know it is not bad but the music is important too. I'd like to play piano, i still have time

@cwldoc4958

5 жыл бұрын

Sadly, I guess what you are saying, is that most of the time in the UK when "non-wealthy kids" get their hands or lips on an instrument, it is not musical in nature.

Thank you, this is video is very helpful

thank you for the video josh

@joshwrightpiano

7 жыл бұрын

Daniel Orlando thanks for watching Daniel!

I started learning to play at 31, and Im currently struggling to learn to curve my fingers and hit the note with the tip of my finger. I figured if i can practice at least 1 hour a day, ill be half-way decent by the time im 51. Following the 10,000 hours rule.

@ChocolateMilkMage

4 жыл бұрын

Don't spread the myth about the 10,000 hour "rule" and don't do that to yourself. Anders Ericsson originally picked the number because he found an average number of hours people at the top of their craft put in (about 7,000 hours) and rounded it up to the nearest 10,000. It doesn't mean you need 10,000 hours to be good but people ran with it and it became that. Put in quality practice time and you'll probably be more than decent by then.

The audio level of your voice is very lower than most channels. Maybe you'd like to amplify it a little. :-)

@benedictcumberbatch945

4 жыл бұрын

Leon Erickson bless for you choosing that as your pfp. Mr. Turing is proud.

If I could start again. Piano was my first musical love. Listening to you play and explain makes me want to take lessons 😅

Learning music theory is the only way to unlock your true potential as a musician and it also gives you the ability to communicate with other musicians on any level and what's best of all you will never run out of creative musical ideas. I took formal jazz lessons for many years and have playing for fifteen from studying and practice I now have the ability to truly express my talent as a jazz pianist

Very helpful. Thanks.

Josh, these videos are truly helpful - What really impresses, aside from your concert level playing, is your very engaging, non-exploitive willingness to put all of this knowledge out here in KZread land for us to enjoy . . . speaking of joy . . . You gave a careful mention to joy in this video - YES !!! If we can make JOY our motivation in the learning/practicing process AND the END goal at the same time, we will ALWAYS arrive! We may not all have the time or patience to sit through a THREE HOUR KZread of world class concert pianist Valentina Lisitsa learning a piece - but it is very inspiring to see how even the very best approach their craft and how their level of playing doesn't just appear out of the ether. ONE three letter word is printed in large capital letters on an 8X10 piece of paper above my practice keyboard . . . 3 guesses as to the word and the first 2 don't count : ) You mentioned that you didn't have a particular chord book to recommend - I found that The Complete Book Of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios & Cadences (from Alfred's Basic Piano Library) to be extremely helpful. The basics are well illustrated/explained and then the book goes on to show how to build triads from ALL of the Keys etc, etc. Keep up the excellent work Josh - it's supremely enJOYable !!!

@joshwrightpiano

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the encouragement!

I really loved this video. Your skill, passion and values. Touchy end. I subscribed, learning piano as an adult.

ooh Hanon, Czerny, all the classics.