I want to take up piano as my second instrument (I already play the sax) and I was wondering how long it woud take me to get to around grade 4 standard?

Depends how much work you put in!

I don't know if I'm being biased but to me, piano is harder than other instruments to start as a second instrument because of the two clefs

but of course, it depends on how much work you are willing to put in =)

QUOTE

I don't know if I'm being biased but to me, piano is harder than other instruments to start as a second instrument because of the two clefs

Good point.

I find it's very common for the left hand to lag behind when a student can already read the treble clef. Add to that the fact that many people are also naturally right handed .............

Those who are prepared to invest time and effort in helping the left hand tend to make the best progress. It isn't simply a matter of practising the left hand on its own. Some practice time spent on things meant for left hand only (ie where you are not itching to move on to putting hands together!) is well spent.

Start simple - there really aren't any short cuts. And have fun.

Maggie

i dunno, roughly 3 years, if u work hard probably.

That honestly depends on how good you want to be at playing the piano when you get to grade 4....

You can do it quickly, you can do it slowly. It depends how hard you are willing to work, how much practice you are willing to put in. Although the piano may look simple it is in fact not, reading in both clefs at the same time can be pretty challenging at times, and if you don't plan on doing much practice it'll take an awful long time to get up to grade 4 standard, but then again, if you do a lot of quality practice, who knows how fast you could get up to grade 4 standard.

I got to grade 4 piano in about a year and a half. I was already grade 5 clarinet and I did at least an hour's practice a day, two or three at the weekend. But I still have trouble reading the bass clef on occasion because I rushed through the very beginner bits. I always avoided the ones that were bass clef only - so I'd agree with Maggiemay, spend lots of time on them

Cat

hi, i started piano as my 2nd instrument dis year, (my first instrument being da flute) an it took me 4months 2 get to grade4 standard. im a v.quick learner though, and it does depend on how much time, effort and practice you are willing 2 put in. and u cant skip da easy stuff, you have got 2 start at da basics. i didnt miss anything out and right now im playin a grade7 piece