According to a survey conducted by YouGov, 48% of former piano players regret giving up on their instrument.
Learning piano as an adult presents several unique challenges. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many contemplate giving up along the way.
Maybe you’re overwhelmed by work and other responsibilities, so you can’t find the drive to sit down for practice regularly. Perhaps you hold yourself to high standards due to success in other endeavors, so you find it difficult to struggle at something. Or maybe you don’t feel like you’re making enough progress.
Don’t be part of the 48%. Whether you’re returning after a long hiatus (hoping to avoid repeating your mistakes) or starting piano at 40 and already prepared to tap out, read on to learn how to shift your mindset and find the motivation to master the keys.
Identify Why You Wish to Learn
One study published in Neuroimage: Reports found that music playing may slow gray matter loss in the brain. Potential cognitive and health benefits like this are why some adults wish to learn piano.
However, your “why” could be something completely different. Here are some other common “whys” that may or may not apply to you:
- Having the ability to play certain musical pieces
- Becoming a professional performer or teacher
- Cultivating an outlet for stress relief and creativity
- Connecting with other people
Intrinsic motivation enables you to align your actions with your values and gives you a steady sense of purpose and direction.
You should know your “why” so you can revisit it when you encounter inevitable setbacks and challenges during your music-learning journey. Becoming familiar with your “why” makes every action more meaningful. You can begin to view each practice as a necessary step toward your ultimate goal.
Take Small Steps to Make Big Progress
You were crushing it for weeks, and everything seemed smooth and easy. However, you’ve just encountered a concept that seems impossible to tackle, and now you dread the thought of sitting down in front of your piano.
Does this situation sound familiar?
If you’re relatively new to the piano (or in a rut), you may benefit from shorter practice sessions, such as ones that last 15 to 20 minutes. You can aim to work your way up to an hour (or more) per day as you become more comfortable on the piano and confident in your skills.
According to the UC San Diego Department of Psychology, some studies have found that spaced practice outperforms cramming when it comes to improving retention and performance. This is referred to as the spacing effect.
Short, focused practices can also help you power through periods of low motivation. It’s much easier to convince yourself to sit down for shorter practice sessions than to sit down for daily marathon practice sessions. The key here is to build a habit of practicing regularly.
Since you’re only practicing for short periods, prioritize staying focused and avoid going through the motions. Deliberate practice, rather than mindless practice, is the most effective way to sharpen your skills and break through plateaus.
Set SMART Goals to Overcome the Dip
Do you remember the dreadful (yet familiar) scenario we started with in the last section?
That specific point in the learning process is what some refer to as “the learning dip.” The difficulty increases, and progress slows down; self-doubt kicks in, and motivation plummets. Many people give up.
At this point in your life, you’ve probably heard of SMART goals before. The acronym stands for the following:
- Specific (How do I want to accomplish a specific goal?)
- Measurable (How will I know when I’ve accomplished my goal?)
- Achievable (Do I possess the ability to achieve my goal?)
- Relevant (Why is my goal important to me?)
- Time-bound (What’s the deadline for my goal?)
Develop SMART goals when learning piano skills. As mentioned, you want to make your practice sessions more deliberate and manageable, but you also want to do the same with your goals.
Seek Structure and Guidance
Becoming a high-level self-taught piano player is possible. However, many people learning piano as an adult run into the following issues when attempting to do it on their own:
- Struggles with identifying and correcting mistakes
- Irregular practice frequency
- Practice sessions that lack focus and direction
- Difficulties with accurately assessing progress
- The development of poor habits
By taking piano lessons for adults, you can start on a structured learning path with someone who has the experience, knowledge, and resources to make piano lessons fun and engaging.
A music instructor can correct your bad habits early on and answer any questions you may have. As a result, you can be more efficient with your practice time and avoid feeling overwhelmed by challenging concepts.
An instructor can also hold you accountable and encourage you to practice. They’ll provide you with the feedback you need to build on your strengths and identify the areas you need to improve the most.
Reputable music schools will ask you about your age, goals, experience, style preferences, and more before pairing you with an instructor who’s not only patient and supportive but also compatible with you. However, they’ll also introduce you to new styles so you can expand your creative palate and maximize your skills as a musician.
Ignite a Passion by Learning Piano as an Adult
The journey of learning piano as an adult can teach you the importance of perseverance and focus. Eventually, with enough consistent practice, you’ll reach the point where you can blow yourself away with your improvisational skills and ability to perform your favorite songs.
Since 2005, we at Music Lab have been teaching people how to play everything from piano to drums to bass guitar. At our schools in Northern California, Southern California, and Tennessee, we help students of all ages and backgrounds reach their full potential as musicians and achieve their musical dreams.
Are you ready to stay on the path toward becoming an awesome piano player once and for all? Find a Music Lab location near you and start taking private music lessons with instructors who love what they do, and can’t wait to meet you!
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