Have you ever thought about playing the piano?
On almost a daily basis I interact with adults who express interest in the fact that I teach piano lessons.
It’s very common for them to tell me that they’ve always wanted to play the piano or that they wished they had stuck with it as a kid.
But, then they usually go on to tell me reasons why the can’t learn the piano at this stage of their life. They’re not talented enough. They’re worried they won’t be very good at it. They’re not interested in playing in front of other people. They don’t think they have time. They’re not musical.
I can understand all of these hesitations, and I can see why adults with limited time and many responsibilities are careful not to overcommit themselves.
However, it’s time to dispel many of the uncertainties that arise surrounding adult piano lessons.
I help adults enjoy and succeed with the piano everyday.
Adults are the perfect candidates to learn the piano because they are self-motivated and conscientious.
A desire to learn and interest in making music is all you need to get started.
If you’ve ever had that yearning to learn the piano, here are 9 reasons to turn off your doubts and give it a try.
1) It's fun.
Playing music is incredibly fun and satisfying.
Even the most simple songs feel good to play.
Learning the piano gives you a new hobby for the rest of your life.
Any piano player will tell you that it’s almost impossible to walk past a piano without stopping to play something – it’s kind of addictive to learn something on the piano, then play it over and over!
Imagine having something in your home that will provide you with endless entertainment.
2) It doesn't require any special skills or talent.
A lot of adults have trouble believing this, but really anyone can play the piano.
All of the skills needed to learn the piano can be acquired at any age.
Of course, someone with a gift for playing the piano by ear will seem to learn quickly.
But, this is no reason for everyone else not to learn.
Most successful musicians were not born with any special gifts or talents for music. Instead, they were determined, worked hard and saw results. I see this over and over with my piano students of all ages.
If you have made up your mind that you can’t learn the piano, you probably won’t get very far with it. But, if you’re willing to give it a try, there’s a good chance you can succeed at the piano.
3) It's good for your brain.
Every adult should be concerned about keeping their mind sharp for the long term.
Playing the piano is the perfect way to stay on top of this. Learning music is all about patterns, repetition, coordination, and tapping into your senses.
These are all things that experts recommend for adults to maintain mental acuity.
Learning something new is one of the best ways to keep your mind active.
And practicing your new skill on a regular basis is what will help you for the long term.
Once you’ve made your initial investment in a piano, there’s no excuse not to use it everyday. It’s at your house waiting for you.
Unlike many other hobbies like joining a gym or playing golf, tennis or card games, playing the piano is free and on your own terms.
4) It's relaxing.
Many of my adults piano students report that playing the piano is how they unwind from their busy schedule.
It’s a great way to relax, take your mind off of your responsibilities and enjoy the moment.
Making music is soothing and pleasant.
It gives you a chance to escape life, create beautiful sounds and care for your emotions and mental health.
Any musician will tell you that the feeling of getting lost in the moment while playing music is magical.
It can’t be replicated with any other activity.
It’s truly as though nothing else matters except the notes and your intimate connection with them.
5) It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
Most piano lessons for kids place a heavy emphasis on performing and meeting high standards.
It’s common to evaluate student progress through formal recitals, music theory exams and competitions.
These events that are no big deal to kids seem stressful for many adults.
A lot of adults assume that this is the only way to learn piano and that these practices follow students into adulthood.
This is the biggest myth about playing the piano. Performance and evaluation are not the end goal of adult piano lessons.
Adults are never expected to perform in a recital or play for others, unless they just want to.
Your piano practice is just for you.
Nobody cares if you make a mistake or if you don’t sound like a pro.
A piano hobby can be treated like any other hobby such as yoga, knitting, tennis, or photography. You get out of it what you put into it. Nobody is keeping tabs on you, your progress or your skill level.
The only thing that matters is your own satisfaction with your experience.
6) It's challenging and rewarding.
You may have heard a pianist play something impressive or beautiful and thought to yourself: “I wish I could do that someday.”
Once you embark on your journey of trying to replicate what inspired you to learn the piano, you’ll discover a wonderful series of challenges and rewards.
And you’ll quickly learn that the process of learning the piano is equally satisfying as completing a goal or learning something you thought you could never do. Like everything, learning the piano will include frustrating moments. You’ll likely feel discouraged or start to doubt yourself at some point. But persistence always wins. If you keep at it, you will improve and you’ll begin to enjoy the cycles of frustration that always lead to more satisfying results.
7) It's a personal development activity.
Playing the piano is not just about the notes.
In addition to learning music, you’ll also learn and practice a host of other skills that apply to every area of your life.
Discipline, persistence, a strong work ethic, critical thinking, artistic expression, self-awareness – these are just a handful of all of the benefits that you gain from learning the piano.
8) It connects you to the arts.
Every person possesses some level of creativity, whether they realize it or not.
Learning the piano is a gateway to the the arts and it allows you to tap into your creative side.
Playing the piano is equal parts technical precision and creative expression.
Learning the piano helps you draw parallels between music and other art forms. It allows you express your creativity and you’ll experience a new richness and beauty to life.
9) It connects you to other people.
Even if you never have any intention of playing the piano for other people, you will still be able to experience a connection to other musicians and music enthusiasts.
You now have something new in common with a new circle of people.
You’ll find communities of people that form around an interest in music.
You’ll develop a new vocabulary and a new perspective that will help you relate to even more people.