--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I started classical piano when I was…" description: "\"I started classical piano when I was eight, but I wasn't a virtuoso. I just really liked it.\" — Julia Holter" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/julia-holter-7627_classical_i-started-classical-piano-when-i-was-eig_2124122.jpg" --- # I started classical piano when I was eight, but I wasn't a… ![“I started classical piano when I was eight, but I wasn't a virtuoso. I just really liked it.” quote by Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/julia-holter-7627_classical_i-started-classical-piano-when-i-was-eig_2124122.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/julia-holter-7627_classical_i-started-classical-piano-when-i-was-eig_2124122.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/237/julia-holter-7627_classical_i-started-classical-piano-when-i-was-eig_2124122.jpg) > “I started classical piano when I was eight, but I wasn't a virtuoso. I just really liked it.” [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An admission of starting piano early for love of the instrument, not mastery, highlighting joy over perfection. **In simple terms:** Started piano for joy, not virtuosity. Key Takeaway Embrace learning for pleasure. Themes music learning passion Mood content inspired Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - starting a hobby - practice routines Key Concepts personal growth creative expression Questions to Reflect On - Why do you play music? - How can joy sustain long‑term skill? A Different Perspective May underestimate the value of disciplined practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Classical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classical/) [Piano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/piano/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [I was always involved in the arts from a young age. I started studying classical piano at age four as a student of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-raymund/i-was-always-involved-in-the-arts-from-a-young-age-i-started-studying/) [Monica Raymund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-raymund/) > [I studied classical piano from the time I was 4 through my first year of college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lari-white/i-studied-classical-piano-from-the-time-i-was-4-through-my-first-year/) [Lari White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lari-white/) > [I was trained in classical piano, but it kind of dawned on me that classical pianists compete for six job openings a year, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/i-was-trained-in-classical-piano-but-it-kind-of-dawned-on-me-that/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [My mother did play classical piano, not that well. And actually, my father sang with the big bands - he sang with Bob Crosby's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-tennille/my-mother-did-play-classical-piano-not-that-well-and-actually-my/) [Toni Tennille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-tennille/) > [Early on, I started with classical voice and had that wonderful foundation. For where I wanted to go at that time, there were no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-reeves/early-on-i-started-with-classical-voice-and-had-that-wonderful/) [Dianne Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-reeves/) > [I started with the classical violin when I was 6, and I guess it went well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-krauss/i-started-with-the-classical-violin-when-i-was-6-and-i-guess-it-went/) [Alison Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-krauss/) > [I started classical and operatic lessons when I was 8 and become an operatic singer and went to competition. I write my own music.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassie-steele/i-started-classical-and-operatic-lessons-when-i-was-8-and-become-an/) [Cassie Steele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassie-steele/) > [I love the classics but there are many new ideas to be made into reality. I'd rather be concerned with my own thing. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-simone/i-love-the-classics-but-there-are-many-new-ideas-to-be-made-into/) [Nina Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-simone/) > [I'm trying to learn classical piano, Mozart and Beethoven and stuff. I took lessons when I was younger and now I sort of sight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-peters/i-m-trying-to-learn-classical-piano-mozart-and-beethoven-and-stuff-i/) [Evan Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-peters/) > [Well, first I studied piano. I wasn't very satisfied because I though my teachers were dumb... and repressive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luc-ferrari/well-first-i-studied-piano-i-wasn-t-very-satisfied-because-i-though/) [Luc Ferrari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luc-ferrari/) > [I had an affinity for music and could play anything I heard on the piano, but I wasn't scholastically advanced in any way. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-gardot/i-had-an-affinity-for-music-and-could-play-anything-i-heard-on-the/) [Melody Gardot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-gardot/) > [I took classical piano lessons from the age of five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-van-halen/i-took-classical-piano-lessons-from-the-age-of-five/) [Eddie Van Halen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-van-halen/) > [In fact although I have studied in a Conservatory the classical piano, I do not consider myself a classical pianist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-clayderman/in-fact-although-i-have-studied-in-a-conservatory-the-classical-piano/) [Richard Clayderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-clayderman/) > [My career started off very well in classical theatre, a genre that I shouldn't perhaps have done so well in. As a result it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paterson-joseph/my-career-started-off-very-well-in-classical-theatre-a-genre-that-i/) [Paterson Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paterson-joseph/) > [I started off with classical music, and I got into jazz when I was about 14 years old. And I've been playing jazz ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-hancock/i-started-off-with-classical-music-and-i-got-into-jazz-when-i-was/) [Herbie Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-hancock/) ## More by Julia Holter > [There's definitely been a focus on the literary aspects of my music, and I always get a little cringey because I don't feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/there-s-definitely-been-a-focus-on-the-literary-aspects-of-my-music/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [I prefer to work with mystery, but that doesn't work well in an academic environment. They want you to analyze what you're doing, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/i-prefer-to-work-with-mystery-but-that-doesn-t-work-well-in-an/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [I really like being home. I like being comfortable, and I'm not a very dramatic person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/i-really-like-being-home-i-like-being-comfortable-and-i-m-not-a-very/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [I really love working with Ramona from Nite Jewel. We've kind of grown up together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/i-really-love-working-with-ramona-from-nite-jewel-we-ve-kind-of-grown/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [One thing I do like about L.A. is the fact that you can be - whether you're famous or it's just a matter of,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/one-thing-i-do-like-about-l-a-is-the-fact-that-you-can-be-whether-you/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [No one recognises me on the street, ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/no-one-recognises-me-on-the-street-ever/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [I played cello on my early recordings, but that doesn't mean I'm a cellist, you know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/i-played-cello-on-my-early-recordings-but-that-doesn-t-mean-i-m-a/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [I don't use the harpsichord because it evokes a past time period: I use it because I like the sound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/i-don-t-use-the-harpsichord-because-it-evokes-a-past-time-period-i/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [I don't thrive in a school or academic environment, I found out. I thrive better in the world outside the small academy because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/i-don-t-thrive-in-a-school-or-academic-environment-i-found-out-i/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [I try to not think too much about how people are receiving my music. And I'm not really famous enough that it's a problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/i-try-to-not-think-too-much-about-how-people-are-receiving-my-music/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [If I feel like I'm myself, then I'm very uncomfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/if-i-feel-like-i-m-myself-then-i-m-very-uncomfortable/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [I see myself as a songwriter and a poet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/i-see-myself-as-a-songwriter-and-a-poet/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [I think what's interesting in L.A. is that there's a lot of variety because L.A. is very spread out. I think there is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/i-think-what-s-interesting-in-l-a-is-that-there-s-a-lot-of-variety/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [I say most of my music is very trial-and-error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/i-say-most-of-my-music-is-very-trial-and-error/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) > [You can have an Internet presence, but it doesn't mean anyone has any idea who you are or what you look like. Which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/you-can-have-an-internet-presence-but-it-doesn-t-mean-anyone-has-any/) [Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) [Explore all 89 Julia Holter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/) ## More Classical quotes > [I'm very fond of classical music, especially Mozart. I find it relaxes me and helps me concentrate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guler-sabanci/i-m-very-fond-of-classical-music-especially-mozart-i-find-it-relaxes/) [Guler Sabanci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guler-sabanci/) > [It's something he used to say when he was happy. It could be a very, very simple day. We might be sitting out on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-grant/it-s-something-he-used-to-say-when-he-was-happy-it-could-be-a-very/) [Jennifer Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-grant/) > [I bring my classical training - some of it, but not all of it - and also my background and culture, to spirituals. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-battle/i-bring-my-classical-training-some-of-it-but-not-all-of-it-and-also/) [Kathleen Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-battle/) > [To become a classical ballerina, you have to move to New York when you're 12 or 11 and that becomes your life. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-garner/to-become-a-classical-ballerina-you-have-to-move-to-new-york-when-you/) [Jennifer Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-garner/) > [I studied classical opera, so I was always singing in Italian and German and French.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wang-leehom/i-studied-classical-opera-so-i-was-always-singing-in-italian-and/) [Wang Leehom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wang-leehom/) > [I listen to classical music very much. There's a lot of jazz that I don't enjoy listening to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-konitz/i-listen-to-classical-music-very-much-there-s-a-lot-of-jazz-that-i/) [Lee Konitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-konitz/) > [But if you listen to great piano players, both classical and jazz, there's a huge range of dynamics and colors and emotional expression that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-burton/but-if-you-listen-to-great-piano-players-both-classical-and-jazz/) [Gary Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-burton/) > [I would say 'Home' is a lot richer and deeper than my earlier classical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anoushka-shankar/i-would-say-home-is-a-lot-richer-and-deeper-than-my-earlier-classical/) [Anoushka Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anoushka-shankar/) > [“For eyes we have no models in the remotely antique.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/for-eyes-we-have-no-models-in-the-remotely-antique/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [First of all, we have to go back to the classical time control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatoly-karpov/first-of-all-we-have-to-go-back-to-the-classical-time-control/) [Anatoly Karpov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatoly-karpov/) > [Well, I very rarely watch classical adaptations, because they usually do very good books, and a lot of the things they do... I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-marsh/well-i-very-rarely-watch-classical-adaptations-because-they-usually/) [Jean Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-marsh/) > [I like to incorporate classical songs that people know and throw a beat and some guitars on it to make it real crazy. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alicia-keys/i-like-to-incorporate-classical-songs-that-people-know-and-throw-a/) [Alicia Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alicia-keys/) > [I love Adele and Lykke Li. I also listen to classical music as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/birdy/i-love-adele-and-lykke-li-i-also-listen-to-classical-music-as-well/) [Birdy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/birdy/) > [Andres Segovia, the great name for guitar, he put classical guitar on the map. He was the proponent of it, the best in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-benson/andres-segovia-the-great-name-for-guitar-he-put-classical-guitar-on/) [George Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-benson/) > [I did stand-up for a long time, and I did classical theater. As much time as you could spend on a stage will always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-durand/i-did-stand-up-for-a-long-time-and-i-did-classical-theater-as-much/) [Kevin Durand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-durand/) [Browse all 601 Classical quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classical/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I started classical piano when I was eight, but I wasn't a virtuoso. 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