Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum New Member here - getting back into piano

Hi all,

I just wanted to introduce myself to the forum, and I'll be posting here often with many questions. I'm a 24 year old pianist; I started at around age 12, and I immediately learned quickly, I taught myself moonlight sonata by ear, and eventually was accepted to a local piano school near my home. I played there for about two years. Unfortunately, the school relocated, and I was no longer able to attend. For the rest of that time until now, I have basically played on my own, being self taught. I have composed many compositions, but my sight reading has diminished greatly, and although my technical ability is good, I'd like to vastly improve it. For a long time I was not able to play piano because my parents wanted me to pursue biology and the sciences. But now that I have established control, I decided to get back into it seriously last year at 23. I've improved greatly, and my ear still surprises me at how good it is. Although I don't have perfect pitch, I do have very good relative pitch and I can remember a great deal in little time. I learned the sight reading aspect. I can't read a piece and play it automatically, but I can learn a piece now on my own.

I've been teaching myself Chopin's Opus 66 for the past week. I've learned almost half the piece, and I can play it at speed. I don't know if that is the common rate of learning a piece of that difficulty, but I seem to be learning quickly.

Now to my question. I'm planning on applying to julliard, the mannes, and the manhattan school of music to get a degree in music composition. I love performing, but I love to compose even more. If there is anyone who has experience with that school, or with the application process, I'd greatly appreciate some feedback. I will make sure to check the archives to see what is required, but I know I have this year until next march to get a significant repertoire to be considered for admission. Is this a realistic goal?

Thanks all for any feedback you can provide, and I look forward to making friends here. Take care

Hello CrisC55 and welcome to the forum! You might want to post your question over on the Pianist Corner. There are a number of people there that have attended various music schools as well as academics and concert performers. They'll surely have a good idea of what's required and there may be alumni from the schools you're interested in who can help.

Welcome again!

Hi CrisC55,

Just wanted to say "welcome to the forums!" too and second Greg's suggestion that you might find a bit more help with music school applications.

Good luck, and welcome!

Welcome Cris,

Thracozaag (Koji) is a graduate of Juilliard.

Thracozaag


Mel

Thank you guys for the advice. I sincerely appreciate it. I'm just curious in general as if it seems I am making some sort of progress from what I have stated. I'll be sure to get in contact with Thracozaag. Thanks for that info mel.

Take care guys!