A few weeks ago, someone on the Viva Piano forum (I think) asked when you could legitimately call yourself 'a pianist', not a 'piano player'.

This has got me thinking - when do people start saying (with confidence) 'I play piano' instead of 'I'm learning piano' or 'I take piano lessons'?

I've been learning for five years, but I've only recently been saying 'I play piano'.

Hi,

Know just how you feel. I've been taking lessons for approx. 4 years - that's pretty much what I tell people who ask.

Somehow, I guess we'll know when to say "I play the piano", (at least I hope we will) when that day will come is anyone's guess. Wouldn't be great just to pick up a piece of music and play it wtihout have to work it out. It's a goal to work towards.

Suzyem,

Have more confidence! If you've been playing (and I emphasise 'playing') for four years - you are a PIANO PLAYER!

Anne

Interesting- I started 'learning' the harp, then about grade 6/7 decided I 'played' harp. It was probably after grade 8 when I started playing with lots of orchestras that I would describe myself as a harpist, and then took another several years before I realised I often though of myself as an (amateur) musician and the instrument wasn't so important. No-one ever awarded me the titles and I never really thought about it until I realised the way I thought of myself had changed.

Pianoanne, you're studying piano, that makes you a pianist I'd say.

Dear All,

I've been playing for 5 and a half years and I don't feel confident to say I am a pianist yet. I believe my problem is that I've spent the majority of the time getting ready for grades which has meant that alot of the time has been wasted playing the same 3 pieces over and over, along with scales, and not pushing myself with new pieces of music.

I am currently awaiting my grade 7 results and I must admit that the 7 certificates I have above my piano (6 piano grades and grade 5 theory) all look very impressive but when people come to visit my place and see the certificates and ask for a tune, unless I am about to take an exam, I am at a loss of what to play.

Although I intend to get to grade 8 some day, more importantly I intend to spend the next 5 years playing alot of different pieces so I will be more stretched as a pianist. Then, maybe, I will feel I qualify for the pianist description.

Shelton

Hi,

I'm new to this forum - total adult beginner. I'm 47 and have been studying piano for 4 years with a teacher - about 1.5 on my own before that. I'm at about Grade 4/5 level I think, I've done 1 RCM theory exam and took a couple of 1st year university theory classes but no piano exams and have never played in a recital.

I still say I'm a beginner and if someone says "So you play the piano!" I'll say "Well, I'm just learning"...... Most of the people I know think that if you "play the piano" you can just pick up any popular sheet music and entertain for hours!!! aahhhhh!!! I have learned 50 or more pieces (very beginner to early intermediate) over the past few years. How many would anyone know....about 3. How many can I play off the cuff? About 6 or 7. How many of those without pauses and mistakes? Probably none...... hence "Well...I'm just learning"

Hi,

I'm with you 100% - my first lesson was approximately 4 1/2 years ago and would love to be able to play without having to "figure" it out first. When friends ask me, I say "I'm learning" or sometimes "I'm a beginner - a work in progress".

At this point I'm working on Chopin's Easy Waltz in a minor - nothing easy about it. The other piece my teacher has asked me to look at is Beethoven's Fur Elise - hope that's the right spelling and I hope it's easier.

The way I look at it is - I'm doing now what I never, ever thought I would be doing when I first say down at the piano. So, let's keep going, sooner or later it will happen.

I started the Waltz in A minor....gave up. I've just finished Waltz in B minor and am considering going back to the A minor one...good luck! I've done Fur Elise but just the easy parts..... I'm still trying to polish Moonlight Sonata...it's taking quite a while....

Your're right though. I'd never thought I'd get this far!! And I'm having so much fun!!

I'm so happy others feel like me!!

My comfort is that my teacher learns a piece over weeks and months like me - so wer're not the only ones!!

I too long for the day when I can sit down and just 'play' to an audience. I regret to say, I think it will be a long time coming!

Having said that, I still think being able to play a piece of music from beginning to end (even with some mistakes) qualifies you as a piano player!

Does anyone defy this?

Anne

I always find it very reassuring when I read this sort of thread - there are so many other musicians experiencing the same frustrations as I do.

I long to play piano fluently, but it is a long road, requiring dedication and commitment.

It is very similar to learning a language. I remember studying Spanish a few years ago. I soon realised that there was a big gap between speaking a language well and having GCSE and A level certificates.

To become fluent, whether in music or other languages, you need to immerse yourself.