Over many years, I have had people confide in me that they have always wanted to play the piano, as soon as they have found out that I teach the piano. Often what follows though is a quiet admission that they don’t think that they would be good enough. I always find it a little sad and try to encourage them to start learning and I fully believe that anyone at any age can learn to play the piano well enough.
First of all, what is the definition or the criteria that establishes what is good enough anyhow? If it is to be a paid performer, then despite all my years of playing the piano and all the hundreds of students that I have taught would make me not good enough! I know that I am good enough because my musical path has been educating and encouraging and not performing AND many would argue that my piano playing skills are indeed good enough.
So what is the definition of ‘good enough’ with regards to playing the piano? The definition of what is good enough should be determined by each individual, not by some arbitrarily imposed definition. Only you should decide what is ‘good enough’ for you. No-one else can determine whether you are good enough.
When my Grandmother would play the piano as an old woman, she only played about maybe ten to fifteen pieces of music. She played the same thing for twenty years, or maybe even longer. For her it was good enough, because she thoroughly enjoyed herself. Even with her limited repertoire, playing the piano made her happy.
I think the question of ‘Am I good enough to play the piano?’ is the wrong question. The correct question is ‘Is playing the piano going to make me happy?’. This is the only question that truly matters. I saw my Grandmother have a very happy retirement and old age because of three things and playing the piano was one of those three things. She has been gone for many years and when I think about her, I remember seeing the pure joy on her face when she played the piano. I am so very grateful that she had such happiness with playing the piano.
If you want to play the piano, even if it is only a handful of pieces of music, then forget about being good enough and allow yourself to experience the joy of playing the piano.