Hey.
I've just finished watching the program about being a young pianst. I taped the Imagine special, & I now I feel ^(^%^%(()*!
I always wanted to be a pro. pianist, but after seeing this - NO WAY!
All of them guys began learning @ like 6 years old. I only stritly began piano 6 months ago! I'm taking grade 8 in the spring - i'll be 13 - but, is there any hope for me. What do you reckon. Now, I want to be a pro more than ever, but think theres no way! I'm so gobsmacked @ how good they are! I feel I'm really bad now - AHHHHHH!
Is there any hope, & what may I have to do to get there, or do I just have to become a teacher? I

hang on You started piano 6 months ago yet you are doing Grade 8 next spring? Doesnt sound like you should be worrying about not being a prodigy!

I don't think strating at a young age is the most important part (although it certainly helps) but it is more what extra you can bring to the music you play. To become famous it is important you can give smething special to your playing and in my opinion that is something that can not be taught.

what do you mean by strictly. Did you do loads of practise before exam stuff, because if you didnt and started straight out, i think flutey toot's right you should start worrying about NOT being a prodigy. Also there are plenty of pianists out there and the ones on 'Imagine' were, like, the 'elite' if you know what i mean.

i know it isnt really my business but if you want to be a pro surely you should take your time doing grades and make sure you do them really thoroughly? What does your teacher think?

I watched it as well - they were incredibly talented weren't they...

How on earth have you got to Grade 8 in six months?! The mind boggles - you must be very talented too.

i think if you're taking your grade 8 you shouldn't worry! but i would have thought that working very carefully on technique etc would help too - maybe you could just choose one piece you really love and work really hard on getting it to a very high standard! and maybe playing different styles might help too, as different styles have different problems! so it improves your standard and makes it more interesting!
best of luck though!
hoxie
x

As ever, chill out man, enjoy growing up and your music.

P.S. At age 13, you're still very young - I'm sure you could soon catch up with those six year olds if you work really hard.

Yes I also agree - just enjoying playing the piano for your own personal pleasure rather than trying to 'be the best'!! After 4 years at a conservatoire, I feel much happier just getting my instrument out one in a while (when I have time!) and playing pieces I enjoy and learning things for myself rather than trying to compete and 'play better pieces' than fellow conservatoire pieces.
I know it may seem a waste to have spent so long on a performing degree but when your hearts just not in it then hey.....
Also, what good is practising by yourself for hours on end? Its not the most sociable thing in the world!!!!!!

(sorry, not meaning to rant, just have issues over conservatoires!)

hehe to solve flutey toot's problem of spending time on your own, you could play in an ensemble! which is very good fun and sociable too!
but seriously, dont get too worked up about it! grade 8 after 6 months is a pretty great acheivement!
and please dont stress on everything! just try out a wide range of pieces - this would probably help later on as well, you could have the choice of which area of music to go into, and it will make things more interesting now!

..and i was multitasking the last comment with a conversation, so if it makes any sense at all i will be amazed! ;P
hoxie
x

the head of the music school that i go to only started piano at 16 and only did (and got distinction in) grades 5 and 8 and she's AMAZING.

What exactly do you want to be a pro at?? There are many avenues down which to travel as far as being a pro musician is concerned. I would advise not to get too hung up about 'making it'. Just enjoy your music. There are very few who make it and even less who consistantly remain at the top. Not everybody is cut out for it even though they be a brilliant instrumentalist.

Good luck in whatever you do.

THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!

Thats really great - I'll just go along enjoying music, & getting better!!!
I played keyboard for 2 years, but then bought a piano. I'm taking gd 8 keyboard @ christmas (it's really easy - I'm annoyed), then maybe gd 8 piano @ spring!
Cheers - thats really made me feel LOADS better!!!!!