How long does it take for a pianist to become a virtuoso? I`ve been playing piano for 4 years and know how to play those difficult pieces, and some people say it`s enough, but others say I need to keep playing and taking lessons. Does anyone know how long it takes to become and expert?

A perfect example of a question without an answer. To become an expert pianist relies on a nearly infinite amount of variables. When the pianist began lessons, how much desire the person has, how much talent, how much motivation, how much patience, how often they practice, HOW they practice, what kind of teacher they had, IF they had a teacher, which pieces they learned in which order, what kind of piano they learn/practice on, whether or not they were encouraged by family/friends, their emotional status, their physical attributes...the list goes on. So you see, there is no universal answer as to "how long it takes to become a virtuoso", or even if a person becomes a virtuoso pianist in the first place. You are unique...just like everyone else.

In order to become an expert you must eat cornpops every morning!!!! lol

I dont think it really matters when somebody starts Matt.

I can definitely say that in general (not 100% of the time, but close), someone who begins playing at 5 years old will be able to play Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, etc. in a much shorter time period than a 40 year old who is just beginning piano due to a child`s enhanced learning ability and impressionable mind. That`s just my opinion though.

Im not saying 40 yrs old lol, alot of people are starting at 14 for some reason lol.. around here anyway. Do u think it makes a difference If somebody starts like 14?

Alright! I`ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the replies! Oh, and if ever I someday become a virtuoso, does practicing exercises (i.e. Hanon exercises) still matter? Is it okay to toss that aside and just play piano pieces?

You still should do those excercises.

Hehehehe.... First, you must look up the definition of "virtuoso". You can`t just play for a certain amount of years and become one. Hehe...

Hanon won`t help either.

Right. But suppose all techniques are perfected, every fingering to every note, maintenance on skills is still a very important component of having the right knowledge of studying piano, isn`t it? I`ve heard it`s detrimental even if you master every exercise and type of playing... Being able to provide the right amount of practice will build on your skills, even if the highest level is obtained. Besides, learning music goes on and on, unless of course you reach the omnipotent level, which is very rare, and kind of impossible for others...

First off, detrimental means harmful. =P Second, practicing those exercises will absolutely help. Everyone can benefit from Hanon`s "Virtuoso Pianist" and Czerny`s "The School of Velocity". They`re great for developing finger strength (especially in the left hand, and the weakest fingers - usually being the 3rd and 4th) and advancing your skills technically. There`s some concert pianists that play through Hanon`s entire book before beginning to practice.

for the original question, a virtuoso...as it is called...doesn`t depend on just being technically able or being able to feel and relate to songs. There must be a complete mastery of all aspects of the piano.You must, in all capability, KNOW the keyboard. Every scale and every key, every time and every meter. true virtuosos devote there life to music. there must be a drive and determination of an olympian athlete, intense practice and discipline everyday...it`s not a light thing just to say "i`m a virtuoso" if you really are one and desire to be one, you wont have to say it. As for technique...horowitz said this..."I only know that in the music itself I found out what the fingers had to do.Formal exercises are bad for the ear and touch. They are not alive and are merely mechanical." He, said to be the greatest piano player in the 20th century, discourages exercises that are mechanical and "not alive," and thinks that through that kind of practice one does not grow as a performer and a player, but merely as a "mechanist."

I`m beginning to get the point now...So being a virtuoso does not necessarily depend on the amount of time the pianist practices, a complete set of mastery is required, maintaining your level can affect how well you play, and it takes more than just having the passion for songs...thanks everyone! This is useful information, and thanks for correcting my mistakes. I really like how you all relate to things...It makes it easier to understand! Oh, I`m so sorry! When I said "detrimental", I meant it would be detrimental to make your skill levels decrease if you don`t get enough challenges or exercise. I`m sorry for that mistake! Oh, and if you have any more to say, I`d appreciate it, because I`m still confused about some things.

Keep in mind-> being virtuostic is anything but being musical. As virtuoso means- accomplished in technique, which is completely unrelated to musicianship.

10,000 hours in quality practice if you are interested anyway. This study has been researched at Northwestern University in Evanstan. Music cognition has determined to be considered accomplished at Athletics, Math, Chess, (anything that requires brain or cognitive power) including music will take 10,000 hours of quality practice. (also true, especially if you wonder why doctors go to school for nearly ten years these days).