Ready to start playing the piano? The piano can give you a skill you’ll enjoy for a lifetime.
But one of the things that hold people back is the complexity of the instrument. Maybe you’ve sat down at a piano and plunked out a few notes. Maybe you’ve taken a few lessons and are wondering where it all ends.
How long does it take to learn the piano?
The real answer depends on what that question means to you. 
How well do you want to be able to play?
For some, they want to learn to play the piano for the joy of music. They have a few songs in mind they’d love to play.
For others, they have visions of world-class classical pianists in their frame of reference. They see themselves playing Bach or Rachmaninoff’s concertos with ease. If that’s you, it may be years of concentrated study with a piano master to play them well.
Most people have their desires fall somewhere in between.
Whatever level you’re hoping to achieve, your progress depends on how diligently you practice and how much time you put into the process. It also depends on your teacher, how motivated you are, and how quickly you learn throughout the process.
For many of the learning programs out there today, piano studies are grouped into about 10 levels of play. When you reach a certain level, you can expect to be able to master any piece at that level with just a few weeks of practice. You’ll learn both playing skills and technical prowess along the way.
In general, it takes about a year of dedicated study to achieve every level. But again, this is only a rough guideline. Someone who dedicates hours of practice each week is going to progress faster than someone with only one or two.
If you are serious about maximizing your progress, find a great teacher that knows when to push. They will ensure you have all of the skills and resources in place to push you as far as you choose to go.
