I am currently 22 years old. Recently I've bought a digital piano and I've always been interested in pianos. I understand that anyone at any age can pick up piano and play it. However, I want to go beyond that and I wish to be able to teach one day. I believe that is when you get your level 11 in ARCT? I am not quite too sure on how the rating scale goes, but my friend told me that you can be qualified to teach if you reach there. I might have made a mistake, please correct me.

A bit more info about me. I am a complete beginners when it comes to playing the piano. However, I used to play the piano accordion for about 2 years (back when I was 13ish). I am very enthusiastic and determined to play and I know there will be many, many hardships later on. I understand how it feels since I have some background with instrument playing. I really enjoy classical music and that's most likely what I want to play later on. I do like rock and all that but I'll leave that for my MP3 player to take care of. I am mostly interested in playing classical pieces such as Chopin (fantasie impromptu =) ) or Beethoven. I consider myself as very music oriented. I like all music but that doesn't mean I can play it. So really my question today is that if I practice enough, put enough effort, and bloodshed and tears, am I able to reach to that level? I believe thats ARCT level 11? I am not quite starting off from scratch as I can read some score sheets and my right hand is somewhat accustomed to the keys of a piano. I will give it as much time as I need even if that means 10 years.

Yes.

You will not magically be a teacher just because you have passed a certain exam level. Do your parents & friends all tell you "You're such a teacher kind of person, you should do that"?

What have you been doing so far since you finished high school?

Well not so much being a teacher. I just want to achieve a high level on the ARCT. I've been going to university (UBC) to work on my bachelors of science after HS and I intend to be a doctor one day. I've decide to do an minor in economics as well so I'm taking an extra year. Most of my courses are econ this year and to me econ is fairly easy, thus giving me time to practice. Of course I will continue practicing afterwards, but this year is crucial in terms of setting up a schedule for myself. Right now my mind set is: you can do anything you set your mind to. This is stronger for piano than it is for becoming a doctor right now. I don't know why but it is.

I was in the same position a year ago and I was exactly your age. You can read my "My Big News" thread somewhere down the abf forum first or second page but to sum it up, I loved piano from the moment I touched the keys and worked hard from the very beginning. I too wish to teach music and piano some day, and I am working on it. I also want to play decently for my own enjoyment and also so I can demonstrate, like every good teacher does when student wants to get an idea of a part of a piece.

I am not there yet but I can already safely say it is quite achievable in some 7-8 years if it is your primary focus. Not sure how long for the grade you mentioned, that could take much longer, it's no joke to achieve that level. What you will need is some daily practice, a heck of teacher that will not look down on you for being an adult beginner and will treat you seriously and dedication. Sometimes it might seem hard, impossible, etc but stick with it, you will be glad you did.

Just take a little walk down to 6361 Memorial Drive (i.e. the UBC music building) and talk to some of the students and teachers there. Not many of them bite.

I actually read your post before reading the replies on mine. Congratulations on your achievement! It's posts like yours that inspire others to do well or start doing well. When did you actually start playing the piano? You said the same position at my age a year ago so I'm not too sure what you mean "position". Thanks for your inspiration!



Yes I do know that building/buildings and I have been there a few times. I'm assuming your talking about the Federic wood theater? I'm just wondering why you suggest that I go ask (in no negative connotation, 100% curiosity)? I'm guessing by the amount of posts you have, you're one of the professors there haha?

I was exactly like you with 0 experience on the piano 2 months before turning 22 years old. Now I'm 23.

You say you had 2 years of piano/accordion before. This will help a lot. I wasn't so lucky but still did well in the beginning

I'm not a professor anywhere. I suggested the music building because there you can talk to real live piano students (instead of people typing on the internet), perhaps find a teacher (they probably have some programs for students from outside the school, or some of the advanced piano students may be looking to do some teaching privately), maybe you can take some music classes, definitely you can go to some concerts, etc etc. Basically, if you're really interested in classical music then you should go hang out with the classical-music people.

Wow I am truly amazed by your performance. You must have unlocked a hidden talent that needed to be unleashed a long time ago. Congratulations again and thank you for inspiring me even more! I will go back to your post from time to time so please update it =). I will keep things posted on this forums as well =).



That is a great suggestion. There has to be some programs for beginners there so I will certainly have a look into that. I've actually found out that as full time students, we get to pay half price for performances for the Vancouver symphony orchestra (called Access pass) so I'm definitely going to hit it up there a few times. Thanks!
PS are you a student there? Or did you google the address for me?

I was a student there once, and I remember numbers relatively easily. Except for important ones of course.

Of course you can go to the office and ask what's the best thing for someone who wants to begin piano - but you can also just find some people to talk to. (Though the best students can be hard to find because they're actually, like, practicing or something.)

As long as you stay one lesson ahead of the people you teach, you should be fine.

I have a feeling that if I'd had hooked up with a teacher like you when I was in college, I may have stuck with music as my major!