Is it too late to learn Piano and become a musician at 17?

I want to play piano very well. I have a passion for music, and I have also been told by my old piano teacher that I may have a natural talent (he was thinking about entering me in for the first graded exam earlier than he usually would), however I had to stop due to GCSEs. It's a great regret of mine since I was only 14/15 at the time, and now I'm 17. I'd love to be a pianist or be in a band or just be able to say "I can play piano very well", and perform to even a small audience.

I wish I had started as an infant, so I could be doing A-Level music by now, but unfortunately I'm nowhere near.

However, if I dedicate time and practise for hours, as well as doing appropriate music theory on the side, is it too late to become a musician?

Nope, it's never too late.

Perhaps you will never be the most virtuosic of concert pianists but you can certainly get to a decent level of piano playing. It is commonly felt that anyone can get to at least Grade 8 instrument with hard work with the later diplomas being more or less accessible depending on affinity for the instrument. I would get a teacher, if possible. And practice is difficult and can be boring. I would take baby steps and try to practice half an hr to an hr at first daily. Little and often is better than huge intermittent sessions.

You have below two examples of grade 8 pieces set in the last few years.




You might find this useful.

I'm in the middle of learning Piece 1 haha. At this point it still as my fingers in a twist

Good luck haha! Hoping I can get to that standard of playing, or at least somewhere close - I'd love to be a musician, I could kick my young self for not starting piano at a younger age.

It doesn't matter how old you are when you start playing. Also diversify, don't just stick to classical pieces, learn some folk and pop songs/tunes, too!

I definitely will! I'd like to learn some jazz, but especially popular music, and especially Coldplay because they're my absolute favourite band. I'd love to be able to jam with people!

You don't need to be an expert pianist in order to play some coldplay/pop songs. Just go to your local music shop and buy a song book, then get playing? Also the guitar is a nice instrument you know??

Yeah thats true, but I want to be as good as I can be in general and not just learn a few of my favourite band's songs and other pop songs.

Yeah, I can play a bit of guitar!

Do you know how to play any scales, or chords, on the guitar?