Notable Pianists Who Started Late: Inspiring Stories

Most famous pianists you’ve ever heard of started playing the piano almost immediately after they learned to walk. Beethoven started when he was 5 years old, Billy Joel began at 4, and both Mozart and Sir Elton John hit the keyboards when they were only freaking 3 years old. Even now, children who start piano lessons at the age of 8 are still considered late learners.

If you’re an adult reading this - especially if you came here after reading our Best Online Piano Lessons article - I’m sure you’ve pondered the question “am I too old to learn the piano?”. Here’s the quick answer: no, you’re definitely not too old.

While most piano prodigies studied the instrument from a super early age, there are tons of piano players out there who only started their study in their teenage or adult years. The musicians in this article are the prime example of that: late learners who then went on to achieve incredible things with the piano.

That doesn’t mean you need to be at their level to be a “real” piano player. We want to drive the point home that it’s never too late to learn any musical instruments. In our opinion, it doesn’t matter if you play in small gigs or local events, exclusively in front of close friends and family, or even perhaps only for your own amusement; if you can play piano, you’re a pianist.

If you know other notable pianists who started their piano journey later in life, let us know in the comments, and we’ll add it in!

Pianists Who Started Later in Life

Ryo Fukui

• Age when started learning piano: 22
• Listen to Ryo Fukui

Ryo Fukui is a Japanese jazz pianist who only started to learn piano at the ripe age of 22 after moving to Tokyo from his hometown in Hokkaido. Six years after picking up the piano, he released his first album Scenery. Later on in life, Fukui became a mentee of Detroit jazz pianist Barry Harris, who has worked with other jazz prodigies such as Miles Davis and Charlie Parker. During his piano career, he released a total of 7 albums.

Ann Rabson

• Age when started learning piano: 35
• Listen to Ann Rabson

Ann Rabson was a blues singer-guitarist who started his professional music career at the young age of 17. It was not until she was 35 years old until she started learning the piano. Two years later, Rabson started the blues ensemble trio Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women that went on and shared stages with other blues legends such as Koko Taylor, Ray Charles, and The King himself, B.B. King. Rabson is also regarded as one of the best barrelhouse blues pianists of her generation. Not bad at all for someone who started their piano journey at 35!

Albert Frantz

• Age when started learning piano: 17
• Listen to Albert Frantz

If you search “pianists who started late”, Albert Frantz is at the top of most lists. Now regarded as a world-class pianist, Frantz originally went to college to study computer and electrical engineering before discovering his musical calling. He started his piano studies at 17 - equivalent to 100 years old in classical piano learning years. Besides being a pianist, Albert also shared his experience as a late learner in various interviews and TED Talks about the craft of piano and his musical journey as a late bloomer.

Red Garland

• Age when started learning piano: 18
• Listen to Red Garland

Hailed as one of the most influential jazz pianists in the ‘50s, Garland started his music journey by learning saxophone and clarinet but only learned to play the piano when he was 18. He joined the Miles Davis Quintet in 1954 and went on to perform and record tracks with other jazz legends such as John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and the Prince of Darkness Miles Davis himself.

Jon Jang

• Age when started learning piano: 19
• Listen to Jon Jang

Jazz pianist and composer Jon Jang learned to play piano at 19 after dropping out of UC Berkeley to study with the neighborhood piano teacher and bought his first piano at 20. He then went to Oberlin Conservatory of Music to major in Piano Performance, and received his Bachelor of Music degree. Jang is also known to channel his thoughts on social justice issues through his art and became the first American-born Chinese jazz pianist who explored and honored Chinese American history through his musical work.

It’s Never Too Late to Start Playing Piano

If you’ve read this far, you might be thinking that all these pianists started in their late teens or early twenties, with the oldest at 35, and perhaps you’re wondering if it’s too late for you. The truth is, it’s never too late to start playing the piano. Playing the piano can be a wonderful hobby at any age and skill level, and it can complement any other musical activities or instruments you play. Whether you want to play for personal enjoyment, perform at local events, or even just entertain friends and family, you can become a pianist at any age.

The beauty of music is that it’s a lifelong journey. Learning to play the piano can be your gateway into the world of music, opening doors to other instruments and musical opportunities. It's a skill that can bring immense joy and fulfillment, no matter when you begin.

How to Get Started

Starting your piano journey is easier than ever with the wealth of resources available today. You don’t need to invest in a grand piano to get started; a good digital piano is a fantastic option for beginners. Check out our guide on the Best Digital Pianos to find an instrument that suits your needs and budget.

For learning, there are plenty of online resources to help you. Our Best Online Piano Lessons article provides a great starting point for finding the right platform to guide you through your piano learning journey.

Remember, as the saying goes:

The best time to start was yesterday, the next best time is now.

Don’t let age be a barrier. Dive in, explore the keys, and discover the joy of playing the piano.