I was just wondering how old you were when you started playing the piano. I read on the age thread that you're only 18 yet you've done so many performances and know so much! I can't believe that im only a year away from where you are and i'm not even close to what you've achieved! x x x

I started when I was 11.5.

I studied for a year and half, but then I broke my wrist, my teacher quit, and my family moved out-of-state... so after a year and a half without lessons and without playing much at all, I recommenced lessons.

Altogether, I've had 6 years of lessons.

See that makes me feel really stupid. I've had lessons since i was 6 - yes thats 11 years!! and you're twice the pianists i am. In my defence though for the first 10 and a half years i had an extremely rubbish teacher who would talk about herself for 50 minuntes of my hour lesson. A few months ago i changed teacher and although i've come on more in these past few months than i have in 10 years with my first teacher i really feel like i wasted so much time. Its incredible the difference a good teacher can make! I only hope that i'll be playing as good as you soon - I really don't want to wait another 6 years!x x x

I've been blessed with a wonderful teacher for the past four and a half years. I learn so much from her.

Another key factor in my progress is my own self-teaching. What I mean is this: there is only so much that one can learn from a teacher. Above all, the most valuable skill a student can learn is to become his/her own teacher. While I continue every week to learn from my teacher, I do research on my own. I study music history - the lives of the composers, the evolution of musical styles, the stories behind the musical works themselves. I listen to many recordings (I have over 150.) 6 months ago, I discovered this forum and have since been learning a great deal while discussing music with other musicians. I learn as much as I can, because this is my passion.

You see, so much about music and performance must be learned away from the piano, and away from one's teacher. Of course, I practice many hours, and I'm always looking for new methods and techniques for mastering difficult passages. But there's so much more than just sitting down and practicing... one has to be an eternal student, always seeking knowledge, always asking questions, and always learning...

It's weird that you should say that because the past couple of i've been doing exactly the same thing!

All of the pieces that i am currently learning, especially Chopin's 1st Ballade and Brahms' Piano Quintet in F Minor, i have researched so in depth that i know practically everything about them. It's funny but it really does make a big difference. I've got a much better feel for the music now and it helps me to understand what the composer was actually trying to say when they wrote it. Also, i have become so addicted to this forum that i am learning SO much from everyone. Its really cool the way that people are willing to help fellow piano lovers. x x x

I too am very impressed by people like pianojerome and valarking who have made such great progress in a relatively short time. I've been playing for 17 years and they're definitely better than me. But I have fun playing the piano and I'm improving, so I'm happy.

Hey ballyhoo. sounds like you could use a good practice regiment. check out my practice routine on my recent thread: "Your practice Regiment?"

Hey, sports fans, it would take a regiment to keep up with all I have to rehab...