It’s true that you never forget certain things that you learn as a child, like riding a bicycle. Playing piano is another example. A minimum of two to three years of piano lessons is enough to instill an indelible knowledge of piano basics. That knowledge will likely be remembered throughout adulthood.
However, some adults who have been out of practice for several years may find returning to piano lessons challenging. It’s sometimes scary to learn to play the piano over again. Starting piano lessons again can be fulfilling though for those prepared to tackle the challenges.
One of the biggest challenges of re-learning piano as an adult is changing methods. Adults who took only a few years of piano lessons as children may have initially learned to play by rote. Playing piano by rote focuses more on memorization and mimicry than on learning to read music and understand chords.
Children tend to learn very quickly by rote. Children who learn by this method appear to progress quickly. Eventually though, as pieces get more difficult, learning tends to slow down significantly. Grasping new skills becomes increasingly difficult. This method is becoming less and less favored by piano instructors today for this reason.
Another hurdle to clear when re-learning piano as an adult is chords and theory. Even if you hated piano lessons as a child you can still learn to play. Adults who had five or fewer years of piano lessons likely didn’t learn chord theory. Even adults who learned to read music as children frequently have trouble grasping chords.
Learning anything (piano or otherwise) is always harder in adulthood than childhood. It’s not impossible though. Anyone with a foundation in music is at an advantage when re-learning piano as an adult.
Would you like to tickle the ivories and play your favorite songs? Here are four things to consider before you start:
1. Be willing to put aside old habits. That keyboard is still the same old keyboard. Teaching methods may have though. Don’t discount a teaching method just because it’s different from what you’re used to. Compare different learning methods before deciding which one is best for you.
2. Be willing to start from square one. Adults by experience have a better grasp of the physical properties of a piano keyboard. That doesn’t mean it won’t be challenging. Don’t expect to play a classical sonata in the first month. Take things slowly, perhaps even starting with a refresher of the basics (i.e., scales).
3. Be committed to practicing. Remember your mother nagging you to practice as a kid? Mom’s not around now, so it’s up to you to push yourself. The results you get in piano playing will be commensurate with the time and effort you practice. Make daily practice time a priority.
4. Find the right teacher. Getting the right piano instructor makes all the difference in the world. Look for a teacher who is experienced with working with adults. Make sure the instructor is familiar with the original method that you learned. The right instructor should be able to evaluate your skills within one or two sessions. He or she will then set you on the right course for re-learning. For self-motivated adults, there are a couple great piano teachers online that can get you playing and enjoying yourself fairly quickly. Type in “play piano” or “piano lessons for adults” in any search engine and you will locate them.
Re-learning piano as an adult can be very rewarding. Not only will you improve your piano skills; you’ll stimulate your brain too. There are benefits galore in many ways from playing piano. Adults who take piano lessons often report a better ability to concentrate. Many also realize a greater aptitude for learning other new skills. These things carry over into other parts of adult life, from work, to hobbies and even raising children.
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