I hope I won’t offend anyone when I said this - most of the best pianists are self-taught!
Rewsnat is a good example. I think he would say the same thing to me too. We don’t consider ourself as the best. But we do play the piano better than 95% of the population (probably higher). Most of the techniques and skills we have, we acquired through self study.
- we practice the songs we love
- we work on the drills mostly alone in our own room
- we learn important tricks from other musicians and gurus (note that they wouldn’t have taught us if we didn’t ask on the first place)
- we read books on improvisation techniques
- we asked help on certain things in an online forum
- we watch the masters play on video and live, to learn their stuff.
I don’t mean that the piano teachers play no role in nurturing a student to become a virtuoso. All I want to express is that a person’s burning desire to master the piano is the key and ultimate reason that will make him one of the best.
Since you are reading this blog, I bet you are heading to the right path —– teaching yourself! Congratulations!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
What are you, fourteen? Get over yourself!
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In my humble opinion, i think that everyone has their own way of learning. Some needs the constant guidance of a mentor, and some prefer to study and learn by themselves. Neither is better than the other.
What’s important is to quickly acknowledge which type are you, and act accordingly to master your craft in the most efficient way.
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I interpret your thought to self-motivation brings success. I agree to you. Self-motivation is important in doing anything and he/she gets success very fast.
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I agree with you… up to a point. Its been my experience as a 35 year professional pianist and teacher that self-taught players may play great on the things they love, but will always have a ceiling to their playing in the area of versatility.
It also depends where the student wants to go. If its just hobby, or playing with their group, or playing solo, again, self-taught may be fine.
But, if the student is perusing a pro career as a pianist that may have them playing in any one of a hundred different venues, he/she must learn all the different genres that this entails. (to many to list).
Self-taught players will always have to work harder to overcome many flaws that would have developed, if they ever overcome them. A professional teacher, one who has paid dues, can catch and correct them early on.
So much more can be said…. just thought Id put my 2 in.
BTW, love your sight. I link to it through mine… and…. you guys play great!
regards
Cliff
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I like all of ur comment.
in my humble opinion, ourself is the only one person who known well ourself.
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Ive always had a little of both…ive always tried to take lessons but always end up having to teach myself because I never practiced! What is it about formal lessons and resistance to doing homework!?
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Im self taught when it comes to the piano. Although everything the article said is very true about self taught pianists, people should know that its also very difficult in terms of learning.
Instead of having someone overlook and point out your mistakes, its you that has to look for and correct them yourself. It takes a lot of time as well, because youre not counting levels or grades, in other words there is a lot of commitment because of the lack of direction.
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