Piano Guidance
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How good can you get at piano in a year?

One year. You can expect to reach beginner level after around a year. This would correlate roughly to Grade 1 or 2 level (ABRSM.) Expect to play very basic pieces and have a reasonable grasp of learning from sheet music, playing basic one-octave scales, etc.

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This is a common question when it comes to learning any instrument. Sure, you’ve bought yourself a piano, got a teacher, maybe signed up to an app like Flowkey or Simply Piano. But how long will it take for you to actually be able to say “yes, I can play the piano?” You’ve made a start, but where does it end?

The real answer to this question, unfortunately, is “it depends.” There is no definitive end to your piano learning journey; you will be learning for as long as you are playing. Even concert pianists at the highest possible level are still learning. I will say that this process is often quicker for children than it is for adults, for the same reason that children pick up languages easier; their brains are more malleable. That’s not to say that adults can’t reach a level of decent proficiency at their craft; you just might need to be more patient. However, here's a rough estimate of what you can expect your level to be after a certain amount of time. Figures are based on an adult beginner who has no prior experience of playing the piano or any other musical instrument.

Beginner

One year

You can expect to reach beginner level after around a year. This would correlate roughly to Grade 1 or 2 level (ABRSM.) Expect to play very basic pieces and have a reasonable grasp of learning from sheet music, playing basic one-octave scales, etc.

Intermediate

Three to four years

You can expect to reach this level after around three to four years. Expect to be playing at roughly a Grade 4 or 5 level (ABRSM). You should have a decent grasp of more advanced concepts at this stage, such as sightreading, more complex rhythmic patterns, as well as scales in most keys up to two or three octaves. You should be comfortable with learning pieces by yourself without having to rely on a teacher at this stage, but expect most of your guidance still to come from your teacher or tutor.

Five to ten years

Expect to reach this level after at least five years and up to ten years. By this stage you should be playing at a Grade 8 (ABRSM) level or beyond. You should have no issues sightreading pieces around three or four grades below your playing level. You should know scales, arpeggios, broken chords, etc in every key. You should be very comfortable choosing your own repertoire and learning pieces by yourself at this stage.

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How do I start a career as a pianist?

An aspiring professional pianist can earn a bachelor's degree in piano performance or studies, music, or music theory. Applicants may have to audition and/or submit a recording. An undergraduate program can include foundational in music history, methods and styles, ear training, and performance.

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