Learning piano as an adult

Some adult learners find the idea of learning the piano daunting and think it’s too late to pick up new musical skills after childhood. If this is a concern for you, then we’ve some great news: learning to play the piano is possible for adults as well! In fact, your age and experience can be an advantage!

Can you learn piano as an adult?

Before explaining why learning piano as an adult can be exciting, let’s address some benefits of learning early in life.

• Children’s brains are receptive to new information and skills. This is known as “plasticity”, meaning that the brain can adapt to new information and experiences. However, this ability isn’t unique to children.
• Kids don’t have the same responsibilities as adults – you know, those grown-up things, like going to work, doing chores, and paying taxes. However, they don’t have the same freedom to schedule their day around music learning as adults do.
• If you start at an early age and keep at it consistently, you’ll probably be pretty good at playing the piano by the time you’re an adult. Still, if you’re dedicated to piano playing and give it your best shot, you can achieve great things!

Advantages to learning the piano as an adult

Grown-ups have some unique advantages over children when learning to play the piano. These have to do with the realities of adult life and the more mature mindset and life experience older learners have.

Intrinsic motivation

Whenever you start a new hobby as an adult, such as playing an instrument, it’s most likely because you want to. This means that no one else is forcing you to spend time and effort on learning; it’s all up to your intrinsic motivation. This advantage is valuable for keeping you motivated as an adult piano player. Meanwhile, kids might feel obligated by parents and teachers or have difficulty resisting peer pressure.

Better focus and attention span

Let’s face it: as an adult learning piano, you’ll spend a lot of time practicing, which requires the ability to focus. Some kids are born with the gift of a great attention span, but more likely than not, as an adult, you have the advantage of focus on your side. Dedicate time to practicing the piano or studying music theory, and you’ll see your skills improve in no time.

Learning how to learn

Have you ever heard of meta-learning? Simply put, this refers to learning how to learn. As an adult, you might already be familiar with the best learning method for you and ways to keep yourself motivated. This way, you can craft your own learning path based on your personality and communicate it to a music teacher. Likewise, if you find other people’s pressure demotivating, you can choose a more self-directed learning method instead, such as a piano learning app, which is better for those looking to learn at their own pace.

Life experience and prior knowledge

Even if you don’t have a background in music, there is most likely a host of different domains from which to draw inspiration on your piano journey. You’ve also developed your unique musical taste, making it easier to pick songs and musical styles you like. In addition to the skills you already possess, you’ve gained a wealth of experiences throughout your life that can support your learning and deepen your musical appreciation.

Benefits of learning to play piano as an adult

Hopefully, we’ve convinced you by now that learning to play piano as an adult is worthwhile. If you need some more proof, here are some benefits of learning the piano as an adult:

• Social benefits: Making new friends is difficult after childhood. One of the best ways to forge new friendships is through mutual hobbies – and what better way to meet new people than with music? Join a band, create a support group for fellow adult learners, or find other like-minded pianists in your area or over the internet. Not only does this expand your social circle, but it also provides additional motivation and enjoyment in your musical hobby.
• Cognitive benefits: Learning to play the piano challenges your brain, and as a result, improves your memory, problem-solving skills, and overall cognitive functions. Reading music, memorizing notes, and coordinating both hands helps strengthen neural connections. Learning to play piano can, in fact, improve your performance in domains outside of music, such as language learning.
• Emotional benefits: Life is not always easy, so having a way to engage in creative endeavors and let off some steam is great for relaxation. Playing piano lets you take your mind off of daily worries, improving your overall mood and well-being. Moreover, learning to play the piano is incredibly rewarding and can promote self-confidence and positive self-image.
• Personal growth benefits: You might have heard of lifelong learning. Play piano to acquire new skills and knowledge while letting your creativity flow freely. The joy of creating and learning music can enhance your overall happiness and personal growth.

Beginners: starting from scratch

Learning to play the piano as an adult can feel like a daunting task, especially if you’re starting from scratch. However, with clear goals and consistent practice, you can make significant progress in no time!

Set goals

Firstly, it’s important to set realistic and achievable goals. Don’t take on too much at once, but rather set smaller goals along the way to mastering the piano. Whether it’s learning to play a particular song or nailing a specific technique, having a goal that is both clear and achievable can keep you motivated and focused.

Get to know your instrument

Next, familiarize yourself with the piano through simple exercises to understand how the piano keyboard works. Start by learning the names of the keys and their corresponding notes. Don’t worry if you can’t connect each key to a specific note – try labeling the keys at first until you know your way around the keyboard, even with your eyes closed.

Not sure what kind of piano to use? Read our guide for choosing a digital piano or a keyboard!

Don’t be intimidated by music theory

Understanding basic music theory and the lingo of your fellow musicians is also an essential part of learning piano. This includes reading sheet music and understanding rhythm, tempo, scales, and chords.

Create a practice routine

Lastly, remember to practice consistently, whether that’s delving deep into the ins and outs of music theory or just playing your favorite piano songs. Start with short, focused sessions and gradually increase your practice time as your stamina improves. It’s up to you how serious you want to go, or if having fun is more motivating.

Back to the basics: jump back on the piano bench

If you’ve played the piano before and are looking to return, it’s important to take stock of your current skill level. Knowing where you’re at on your piano journey will help you identify focus areas, what you already know, and which skills you need to refresh.

• Playing an instrument is like riding a bike – even if it’s been a long time since you played, you’d be surprised how quickly things come back from the depths of your memory.
• Start with the things you remember enjoying back in your piano-playing days. Can you recall any songs you just couldn’t get enough of or a particular piano drill that had your fingers jump with joy across the keyboard?
• Wake up your muscles slowly, and don’t worry if playing feels off at first. Make sure to stretch and warm up each time to eliminate any discomfort.
• Revisit basic music theory and piano techniques to refresh your memory. As you regain your skills, you can start practicing more advanced exercises and gradually learn new ones.

What better way to refresh your piano-playing skills than with an interactive piano app? Get back up to speed and start learning new skills and songs with Yousician. Yousician’s interactive piano lessons and motivating game-like experience are great for all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced players.

Expand your repertoire: transition to piano after learning other instruments

Having previous musical experience can be a significant advantage when learning the piano as an adult. However, each instrument has its unique characteristics that might not translate to others.

If you have some prior experience with another instrument, such as the guitar, violin, or bass, try to identify the differences and similarities between what you already know and the piano. For instance, if you know how to play scales and chords on the guitar, try to think how they sound on the piano keyboard compared to the guitar fretboard. And if you’re familiar with some percussion instruments, such as the drums, explore how your sense of rhythm can benefit you when learning piano.

Yousician’s interactive music learning app supports your move from one instrument to another by offering songs and musical lessons for more than just the piano. Learn guitar, bass, ukulele, singing, and piano with the Yousician Premium+ subscription.

Online piano lessons for adults

Yousician is your personal piano teacher! Whether you want to master the piano or simply play songs for your own pleasure, Yousician is a simple and accessible way to begin your musical journey for all skill levels and ages. Download Yousician for your computer and iOS or Android devices to start practicing the piano and other instruments today.