Is Piano Learning For Adults A Good Idea?
The benefits of adult piano lessons
Many adult learners have an advantage
What’s the best way to learn piano as an adult?
How long does it take to learn the piano?
What’s the learning process of an adult piano student?
Do I need to learn music theory?
What you need to know before you start
How to get started learning piano
Are acoustic or digital pianos best for beginners?
How to find a good piano teacher
Even though learning piano as adults might seem like a daunting task, with the proper instruction, it can be a rewarding experience. Contrary to popular belief, acquiring basic playing skills does not require an innate talent or age-related advantage.
In fact, even those who have never played before can learn how to make beautiful music given enough practice. So if you’re thinking of picking up this lifelong skill, here are some tips on why learning to play piano as an adult is a very good idea.
Why learn to play the piano?
Adults who are thinking about learning the piano often have some doubts. After all, as adult beginners, most of us don’t want to become concert pianists, and we don’t have the time to master a musical instrument.
But there are some excellent reasons to give piano lessons a try as an adult. For one thing, learning the piano can be a great way to relieve stress, and it’s also a great form of self-expression.
And let’s not forget that playing the piano is just plain fun. So if you’re on the fence about whether or not to take piano lessons, you might just find that it’s the right choice.
The benefits of adult piano lessons
Many people think of piano lessons as something for kids, but there are actually lots of benefits for adult learners. For one thing, adult students tend to have a better attention span than young children, which means they can absorb information more quickly.
In addition, adult learners usually have a clearer idea of their learning style, so they can take advantage of methods that work best for them. And of course, let’s not forget the joy of being able to sit down and play the piano whenever you want!
Piano playing can improve cognitive function and memory and also helps to develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Studies have found that nothing gives the brain a better workout than learning a musical instrument.
Click the image above to watch the YouTube video for scientific verification of how your brain lights up when you play piano as an adult beginner.
Learning piano can give you a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Not to mention, it’s a great way to meet other adult piano players and make new friends.
Many adult learners have an advantage
The more time you put into learning the piano, the better you’ll get. Even if you have a hectic work schedule and social life, many adult students find that they are able to progress faster than children because they have better focus and can apply themselves for longer periods of time.
Sometimes the way children learn music is by their parents forcing them to take lessons. The result is usually that they do the bare minimum, only practice the day before their lesson and quit their music studies in their teenage years.
Although adult students may sometimes face difficulties keeping up with children in terms of finesse and dexterity, they make up for it with their experience and discipline. In the end, it all depends on the student’s willingness to learn and dedication to consistent practice.
I’m not sure if I have rhythm
We all have rhythm. It’s something that’s innate in us, and we use it every day without even realizing it. Rhythm is essential for playing the piano because it helps us to stay in time with the music.
Fortunately, rhythm can be learned and improved with the right exercises. A good teacher will help you to develop your rhythm, but first, you should learn all of the note names on the piano keyboard and the most common note values along with their corresponding rests.
Then you will have the tools necessary to begin basic rhythm exercises that will be essential for you to be able to recognize rhythmic patterns.
What’s the best way to learn piano as an adult?
It is generally agreed that the best way to learn piano is the way that works best for you as an individual. That being said, when it comes to learning to play the piano, there are a few different ways that people can go about it.
One option is to take private lessons from a piano teacher. This has the advantage of providing you with personalized instruction and feedback that can be tailored to your own abilities and level of understanding.
However, it can also be quite expensive. Another option is to take an online course. This can be a more affordable option, and thanks to rapid technological advancement, there are now many high-quality online courses available.
If you enroll in an online course, make sure that you can get help via zoom, skype, text, or email promptly from your teacher.
Other adults may prefer to take music classes at a local music school or community center. However, it is important to research any music school you are considering, as reputation is often more important than cost when it comes to quality of instruction.
How long will it take me to learn the piano as an adult beginner?
How long it will take you to learn piano as an adult beginner depends on a number of factors, such as how often you practice, how much natural ability you have, and how quickly you pick up new concepts.
That being said, most people can expect to see some progress within the first few months of lessons. And with diligent practice, significant progress is usually possible after a year or two.
Playing the piano is a lifelong pursuit that requires ongoing practice and learning. So even if you don’t achieve Carnegie Hall-level greatness, you can still enjoy the satisfaction that comes from playing piano – and impressing your friends and family with your newly-acquired skills.
What’s the learning process of an adult piano student?
When learning something new, such as piano, it’s important for your teacher to understand how humans learn motor skills. How short our attention span is and how deep sleep helps us learn new motor skills.
According to research, our non-conscious mind is programmed by consistent, efficient, and purposeful practice. When learning the piano, or any other skill for that matter, it’s important not to bite off more than you can chew, which can result in musical indigestion.
Many of us have experienced learning something new and feeling like we just can’t seem to get it. We try and try again, but it feels like we’re just not getting anywhere.
Often, we give up altogether, telling ourselves that we’re just not good at this particular thing. However, research has shown that the issue isn’t with our abilities, but rather with how we approach learning the specific task.
You have to control the urge to move ahead too fast
When learning the piano, or any other skill for that matter, it’s important not to try to learn too much all at once. The easiest and most efficient way to learn is one thing at a time, and don’t move on to the next thing until you have fully understood and mastered the current challenge.
When learning a new skill, it’s helpful to break down a challenging task into smaller, more manageable pieces. For instance, if you’re trying to learn sheet music, don’t try to learn the entire song from start to finish all at once.
Instead, break it down into sections and work on one section at a time. This is especially important for learning classical music. The piano dragon way to practice method is based on this concept and works very well when consistently applied.
If you’re not happy with your piano playing after consistently practicing a new piece from beginning to end, over and over again, it might be time to try something new.
Do I need to learn music theory?
What you need to learn as an adult beginner piano student really depends on what you hope to achieve with the piano. The range of human talent and different learning environments produces many kinds of piano players.
We have the casual player who never bothers to learn how to read music, professional players playing pop songs for vast amounts of money, to the concert pianist who devotes their life to the piano.
If your goal is to simply play for fun and maybe have friends or family members listen to you play every now and then, then learning some basic music theory will be fine.
You don’t need to know everything about harmony and counterpoint to be able to enjoy playing the piano.
However, if your goal is to play professionally or join a band, then you will need to have a strong understanding of music theory. If you’re not sure what you want to do with the piano yet, it’s still a good idea to learn at least the basics. It’s easier than you think with a good teacher or online course.
What you need to know before you start
As an adult beginner, you should know a few things before learning the piano. First,
It is never too late to start your musical journey
It is a misconception that only children can learn piano or that it is too difficult for adults. Learning piano when you are older can actually be easier than learning as a child because you have more patience and discipline.
Last, but not least, you need to be prepared to practice—a lot. To get good at anything, you need to put in the time and effort. For piano, this means practicing every day for at least 30 minutes.
If you can’t commit to this, learning piano might not be for you. But if you are willing to put in the work, there is no reason you can’t be a success story.
How to get started learning piano
As an adult beginner, you should keep a few things in mind as you start your musical journey.
First, you’ll need to find a piano or keyboard to practice on. More on that later.
Secondly but most importantly, be patient with yourself. It takes time and practice to learn any new skill, so don’t expect to read music and start playing Bach overnight. Additionally,
You want to set realistic goals
If you only have 20 to 30 minutes a day to devote to practice, that’s fine. Start by setting small goals that you can achieve in that time frame, and then gradually increase the difficulty as you improve.
Beware of the “I can teach you piano in no time it’s super easy” crowd
If it were possible to play piano fast and easy, there would still be a piano in most people’s houses. We all know all things worthwhile take time and effort. Finally
Find a method that works for you
Everyone learns differently, so what worked for your friend might not be the best fit for you.
Learning how to play the piano can be a fun and rewarding experience, no matter what your age. You’ll need to invest some time and effort, but the payoff is worth it. You’ll be able to play your favorite songs and improve your musical skills.
Are acoustic pianos or digital pianos best for beginners?
What kind of piano is best for adult beginner piano students? Generally, acoustic pianos are recommended for beginners because they offer a more traditional learning experience.
However, a digital piano is also suitable for beginners. It can be a good option if you don’t have enough space for an acoustic piano or live in a humid environment. An acoustic piano generally takes up more space and is much heavier than a digital piano, and needs to be tuned at least once a year.
Acoustic pianos can also be pretty expensive, but many good-quality digital pianos are also available at a fraction of the cost. Plus, they won’t need constant tuning. However, it is essential to find a digital piano that has weighted keys.
Your level of experience is also important. Many adults start out with an inexpensive digital piano if they are absolute beginners.
How do I find a good beginner adult piano teacher?
The best place to start is by asking around for adult beginner piano teacher recommendations. Talk to friends, family, and co-workers who have taken piano lessons and see if they can recommend someone.
Once you’ve got a few names, do some research online or call the teachers to set up an interview. You can also search for local music schools with private piano teachers online.
When it comes to finding a good adult beginner piano teacher, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure that the teacher is experienced and can work with beginners.
Look for someone who has been teaching for at least a few years and enjoys teaching the piano. It’s also important to find a patient and supportive teacher who can help you set achievable goals.
A great teacher will come up with creative ways to strengthen your specific weaknesses.
Once you’ve found a few potential teachers, the next step is to set up a trial lesson. This will help you get a feel for the person’s teaching style and whether or not you’re comfortable with them.
During the trial lesson, pay attention to how well the instructor communicates and whether they can answer your questions.
A great teacher will come up with creative ways to strengthen your specific weaknesses.
Once you’ve found a few potential teachers, the next step is to set up a trial lesson. This will help you get a feel for the person’s teaching style, and whether or not you’re comfortable with them.
During the trial lesson, pay attention to how well the instructor communicates, and whether they are able to answer your questions.
How to practice effectively
One of the most important things to keep in mind when practicing the piano as an adult beginner is that
perfect practice makes perfect!
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you make a mistake – just try to focus on getting it right the next time.
It’s also important to be consistent with your practice. If you can only practice a few times a week, make sure you do it at regular intervals.
When learning to play piano at an older age, it’s always a good idea to schedule your practice times when you are fresh. For me, that is before noon. Also,
make sure that your practice environment is distraction-free
That includes anything weighing on your mind and causing you to lose focus.
Keeping a practice journal is an excellent habit to develop for keeping track of what you are working on and for how long.
For instance, the human attention span is only about 5 minutes for full-focus concentration, which is essential for learning fine motor skills.
If you work on a particular section of music for 15 to 20 minutes or 10 hours on the same day, there will be the same amount of improvement. You have to keep going over what you are trying to learn for several days. That is why maintaining a practice journal will save loads of valuable time.
Well-designed online lessons or courses can also enhance your learning if used properly.
It is essential to be patient with yourself
when you first start playing and go at your own pace. Do not compare your progress to that of other people, especially those who have been playing for a longer time. Everyone learns at a different pace, and there is no need to rush things.
Finally, be sure to focus on your weaknesses. If you are struggling with a particular section of music, cut its size in half until it becomes manageable.
Do not simply repeat the same things over and over again; make sure that you are challenging yourself and trying new things. In learning piano, practice does not make perfect! Only an effective practice routine from the very beginning will allow you to develop good pianistic habits and progress at a reasonable pace.
Playing the piano should be fun, so make sure you make time for it in your busy schedule.
Conclusion
The internet has revolutionized the way we learn how to play piano, giving us more choices and better access to quality music instruction. With so many courses and instructors to choose from, it’s essential to pick the right one that fits your needs and goals.
Be prepared to work hard and devote time to practice, but also make sure to enjoy the process and have fun! Remember, becoming a skilled pianist takes time and dedication. Still, it will be a rewarding journey that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
