Hello everyone, my name is Julie. I'm just chewing over the possibility of going back to learning the piano. I started when I was 7 and completed up to and including grade 7 by the time I was 17. Of course, being a teenager I thought I had better things to do. Ten years later, I am now 27 and am kicking myself for not taking it as far as I could go. I 've only just started to play again properly as my mother has given me her piano. I keep thinking of going back to learning and even have dreams of teaching, but my problem is I feel as if I've lost my confidence and I won't be capable of all that. I'm seeking some good advice, and some guidance from members and teachers please. xxx

It's great that you got to grade 7 years ago...you were obviously good!

I'd say definitely start back again and you won't know whether you are capable unless you try!! I'm sure once you started it would all come back to you..and you'll wonder what you were worrying about!

I got to grade 3 as a kid & stopped when I was about 11. I started playing again just over 3 years ago & it's one of the best things I've ever done ( along with starting to play the flute - which I hadn't played previously).
Go for it - you have nothing to lose & everything to gain

Now that you are older, you will probably have a different attitude to learning. This time around you will be more motivated and committed.

Also, you will probably find that it won't take that long to get up to speed again.

Go for it gal.

Shelton

Absolutely you should go for it, just one warning though: a lot of people say when they start back that they have to go back a grade or two and catch up to where they were before. Don't let that knock your confidence when you start: it's normal!

Go for it, Julie Anne. I had forty years off from any serious playing after getting grade 8 at eighteen. I re-took grade 8 last year and have been teaching for two years. You're much younger than me - you could certainly do it! I would advise you to go back a couple of grades - I didn't, and I wish I had as it took me so long to learn the exam pieces after all that time. It would have been quicker in the long run to have gone back a bit and spent more time adding to my repertoire (I did do other pieces as well as the grade 8 ones!)

My situation was the exact same as yours - with only very slightly different ages. I started really when I was 8, did Grade 7 at 15. I had a horrendously nerve-wracking time in the G7 exam itself (though I passed fine), but that together with pressure of school exams gave me reason to stop. I couldn't really find the time nor a piano nor the money for lessons when at uni.

So ten years later (same as you) without having so much as touched a piano during that time, I took it up again at 25 and got my Grade 8 a year later. Have to confess the Grade 8 was pure luck (big time nerves and a cold let me down BAD) - I believe the examiner was just too nice to want to fail me . I am now aiming towards a diploma, slowly, while working on playing finesse and all the details beyond the notes which is needed for that level.

Anyway, what I mean to say is it is definitely very very possible (I am not musical genius in the least and I managed it). The thing is this time, since you are an adult with no parents to push you (actually it is better this way) the motivation has to come from you yourself. If you love it, you will be putting in the effort into finding the time (i.e. giving up some TV etc) and patience to practice without too much trouble. As an adult, I think it is also easier to try and grasp what your teacher wants you to do and try to apply it to the playing. I am thinking about music in a way I never did as a kid. You can also have a say in what pieces you would like to play, listen to what you like and generally have more say in your learning.

Another thing is I am very very lucky that I found an amazing teacher (I can't say enough about him) who I believe is the reason why I managed to get the Grade 8 (with some help from that nice examiner). I really lucked out with getting a teacher like him. I am not too sure how one would really go about searching for one, but I'd say if you are serious about it, try asking round those in the know who a good teacher might be, one who can take you through Grade 8 and beyond and one whom you feel you can get on with and establish a good working relationship.

Good luck and most of all, enjoy it! Realising you want to take it up again is a huge step in the right direction. Everyday I curse myself for not keeping it up at 15 and also thanking my mum for making me stick at it from ages 8-15 because there was a time I hated the piano so much I preferred to do homework or eat vegetables!

You have nothing to loose-

I stopped as a 16 yr old grade 5/6 piano student.Just started again as a 37 year old.One bit of advice though,dont go straight in at grade 7,jump down a couple of grades until you get use to it.The only thing im hesitant about is taking grade 5 theory- AARRGGHH !!!!!!
I ve still got nightmares from the 1st time round !!