Have you thought about learning piano as an adult but are not sure whether it would be worth your time?
Maybe you attended lessons when you were younger but never took it seriously and have since forgotten everything.
Or maybe you stuck with lessons for several years and still remember a bit but are now confused about where to pick up again.
I have had countless conversations with adults who tell me they would love to be able to play piano but feel that it’s simply too late to learn.
Each and every time I encounter this situation, my advice is the same.
It’s NEVER too late!
In fact, there are several benefits to learning piano as an adult versus as a child. (I believe there are way more than 5 but for purposes of keeping this post at a manageable length, I had to limit myself!)
In this post, I will be sharing benefits of learning the piano as an adult and address common roadblocks keeping you stuck. Make sure you stick around until the end for the awesome bonus resources designed to jumpstart your piano journey!
And for those of you who are ready to start your piano journey, check out this post.
This post may contain affiliate links and as an affiliate of both the Amazon and Modacity program, this means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see our full disclosure for further information.
Benefits of Learning Piano as an Adult
Music has the ability to transport us to a completely different place and time. It has the power to evoke a long forgotten memory or bring out emotions we have tried our hardest to avoid.
Try to imagine watching a movie without music. Pretty tough, isn’t it? Music is the unseen character adding life, passion, and humanity to each and every scene.
Music inspires and motivates on a deeper level than can be achieved in other ways.
And the ability to make music? To breathe life into the melody running through your mind? That is something else entirely!
1. Anxiety and Stress Reduction
I will be the first to raise my hand and admit I have anxiety.
Give me some type of vaguely hypothetical situation and I will concoct a compelling reason why you should be afraid. Very afraid.
Unfortunately for me, anxiety + creativity = excessive worry about completely ridiculous situations.
My tendency to allow anxiety to slowly creep in and eventually take over is one of the reasons I love playing piano the most.
When my brain is busy transferring notes from the page to my fingers, it doesn’t have space left to perseverate.
The integration required between the instrument, my brain, and my body is too complex to allow for any extraneous thoughts to creep in and take over.
And when I’m not fixated on anxiety-provoking thoughts, relief from the sometimes all-consuming anxiety follows.
Interestingly, research has shown that the act of making music is enough to interrupt the normal stress response which is triggered by anxiety.
Even beyond the physiological effects of the stress response is the fact that making music is simply fun!
You may also enjoy reading Elegie in Eb Minor.
2. Playing Piano Boosts Cognition
Playing the piano is a complex task which requires integration of the motor system and multiple senses.
The pianist’s main goal in balancing all of this is to convey emotion through their artistry.
I don’t say this to intimidate you in any way but rather to encourage thought about the complexity involved in translating writing on a page to an emotional idea.
And where there is complexity, growth follows.
Multiple studies have shown differences in brain structure between people who study music and those who don’t.
This has most dramatically been noted in studies of cognition in the aging population.
In short, cognitive function is better in adults who study piano in comparison to adults who do not. If you’re curious and want to learn more, check out the study results yourself here.
Memory also improves among adults who play the piano.
Although adults typically aren’t taking math and reading tests on a regular basis, studying piano has also been shown to boost scores in these areas.
It may just be the compelling reason you need to inspire your kids to start learning piano as well???
3. Playing Piano Instills Discipline
Getting better at any type of activity requires doing more of that activity. The more we do something, the better we get at it.
Learning to play the piano is no different.
It requires a certain amount of dedication.
Consistent, high-quality practice results in progression of your skills.
The good news is that learning piano as an adult often requires a degree of discipline that you already have.
Chances are good that you have learned how to excel in various areas of your life. In order to excel, you have already figured out how to put in the work to see the pay-off.
And if discipline is an area you struggle with, there’s good news for you too!
Setting a practice schedule (and sticking with it) can set the stage for discipline in other areas of your life.
Once you have figured out consistency in this area, it’s easier to apply to other areas.
If you are looking for more tips on piano practice, check out this post.
4. Improved Ability to Handle Feedback
Getting feedback from someone else can be hard!
If you struggle with emotional vulnerability, the natural response to feedback often comes across as defensiveness.
And nothing shuts down open communication quicker than being defensive!
But sometimes we need the perspectives of others to make positive changes.
We need input from employers, spouses, and friends to become better versions of ourselves.
Unfortunately, daily life often doesn’t provide a safe space to practice receiving feedback.
Unless youāre learning a new skill under the direction of someone who is more advanced.
A new skill like learning to play the piano.
Learning a new skill takes the pressure off getting feedback.
As a beginner, youāre not expected to know anything. At the same time, feedback is exactly what you need to improve.
Piano lessons are a great way to practice getting feedback in a low-pressure situation. You can then apply this skill to other areas of your life and watch your ability to communicate with others improve as well!
5. Playing Piano Increases Confidence
Although it may seem contradictory, learning a new skill can actually increase your overall confidence.
Learning something new encourages a sense of curiousity. When we are curious, we are far less likely to be overly self-critical.
Our energy is instead focused on learning and growing. As we begin to see improvements, we become more and more confident.
The confidence from one specific area of our lives can spill into all other areas.
Especially if this new skill involves an element of performance.
And whether you are by yourself practicing, playing through a piece for your teacher, or giving a recital, music is performance.
Confidence is an essential aspect of musical performance and is incredibly useful in daily life.
Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck
Now that we’ve covered the top benefits of learning piano as an adult, let’s talk barriers.
Despite the benefits, I know there are a few things still holding you back from getting started. Let’s break them down, one-by-one.
Piano Lessons are for Kids
Although it is true that many people begin lessons as kids, learning as an adult actually has several advantages.
The first is that as an adult, you are choosing to learn piano. No one is setting a practice timer for you. You’re not getting grounded for skipping your lesson.
You call the shots.
It’s up to you to find a teacher you mesh well with. You also get to decide the instrument if you don’t already have one. It’s also entirely up to you whether you take in-person or online lessons.
Your success with the instrument rests entirely in your hands.
And speaking of hands … the second advantage to learning as an adult is that your hand-eye coordination and muscles are fully developed.
Learning certain pieces and specific techniques is now possible. Although kids may progress rapidly in their study of the instrument, they can be held back on further progress due to development.
The third advantage involves attention span and critical thinking skills. Both are much more advantageous to effective learning in an adult versus in kids.
Many kids can only sit and concentrate for ten minutes at a time. Their practice is therefore somewhat limited.
Adults on the other hand can focus for much longer stretches of time.
They also have a greater capacity to integrate music theory and analysis to more effectively learn music. This is one aspect of playing where I continue to feel somewhat disadvantaged.
Although I did have elements of music theory in my lessons from a very young age, I didn’t fully appreciate it until I was older. By that time, I feel that I had already developed my own specific way for learning pieces without the theory component.
I continue to accommodate for this deficit today and am making progress but feel that learning piano as an adult is a major asset in this area!
Time (Or Lack Thereof)
I get it. Your day is busy. Maybe even crazy. I’m sure there are days which pass so quickly you are left wondering where the time went when your head hits the pillow at night.
I have those days too.
But do you really want to spend your days wondering where the time went?
Or would you rather use the time you have been given to pursue your biggest goals and dreams?
Learning piano as an adult may seem like it will take an enormous amount of time and energy.
Depending upon your goals, it will.
Guess what though?
You don’t have to expend all that energy in one day. Practice is actually more beneficial if broken into small, very intentional, chunks of time.
There are days when I only have 10 minutes to devote to practice.
But I make the most of it and look forward to the days when I’m able to practice more.
Every minute adds up to better and better playing.
The time will pass anyway. You might as well make the most out of it!
You may also enjoy reading this post about how to find more time in your day.
Finding a Teacher
Thanks to technology, the days of traveling to your piano teacher’s house for lessons are gone.
Maybe.
There are still plenty of teachers who continue to offer lessons this way.
And learning this way continues to be the preferred method for many people.
But what are your options if you don’t have a teacher nearby? Or if you don’t have time to drive to lessons?
You could choose to attend lessons online or subscribe to a membership website dedicated to helping people learn to play piano.
The Membership Website Dilemma
I’m not sure whether you’ve looked into membership websites or not but there are a million out there. Whether you’ve been playing 3 months, 30 years or whether you have any actual knowledge of how to teach someone else to play, you can create your own course. The bottom line is that whether someone has any credibility or not, they can create a website and pass themselves off as an “expert.”
I, for one, do not want to pay for some random course created by someone without any actual authority in the piano world.
This is one of the many reasons why I carefully vetted multiple courses prior to finally making the decision to join this one. I was looking for credibility and authority. And I found both and so much more in the ProPractice course created by Dr. Josh Wright.
Dr. Wright is a critically acclaimed pianist and gifted instructor. Check out his performance of the 3rd Rachmaninoff Concerto here. And if you’re looking for another incredible performance, here is the Chopin Ballade No. 1 in G minor. Each performance is absolutely inspiring!
Created and taught by Dr. Josh Wright himself, this course is perfect whether you are a complete beginner or have played for years. It also comes with access to an incredibly supportive Facebook group of fellow pianists.
As a result of joining the course, my technique and artistry has dramatically improved. I’ve learned so much about interpretation and even how to manage the sometimes quite limited practice time I have. I have seen such positive changes in my playing that I became passionate about sharing this course with others looking to improve their own playing.
This course has absolutely made me a better pianist and is well worth the investment!
Click here to check out all this course has to offer!
Finding an Instrument
Not having an instrument is an obvious barrier to learning piano as an adult.
In order to make progress, you will need consistent practice. Practice will require an instrument.
Luckily, you also have several options in this area.
Many people prefer an acoustic piano. Acoustic pianos come in several different sizes and in quite variable price ranges.
You can find a spinet (a smaller acoustic piano) for free on Craigslist. There are also many perfectly acceptable instruments out there for less than $1,000. Keep in mind that in many instances, you get what you pay for.
In the beginning of your studies, you can make progress with a lower quality instrument.
Investing less up front can also take the pressure off later if you decide that piano isn’t for you.
I definitely recommend working with a piano tuner to find an instrument within your budget. They will be able to give you an accurate estimate of the instrument you are considering. Piano tuners can also tell you whether any major work on the instrument is required.
An electronic keyboard is another option if space is limited. A great advantage of these is the option to plug in headphones. You can then practice any time of the day or night.
Keyboards also offer many different setting and recording options. They also come in a wide range of features and prices.
Bonus Resource Section
Hopefully by now you’ve been inspired to either start or continue your own piano journey. Here are a few of my favorite resources to further your journey!
Practice Secrets
Let’s face it. Practicing is the only way to improve but sometimes it can feel a bit monotonous. Ignite your passion for practice with this book!
Full of both practical and useful advice, this book is guaranteed to freshen up any stale practice regimen. I truly cannot say enough good things about this book so I highly encourage you to check it out for yourself!
And if you’re looking for the ultimate practice app, look no further than Modacity! It’s helped me approach practice from a completely different perspective which has resulted in a dramatic improvement in my piano skills. You can read more about my experience with the app here and you can even access an exclusive offer for Only Getting Better here.
Recording Success
Even during my college years, my piano teacher encouraged me to record regularly. In those days, I wish I would have had something as easy and effective as this microphone!
A quality microphone is one of the best ways to learn to listen and make improvements when working independently, either between lessons or with a membership website. And you won’t find a better quality microphone or one that’s easier to use in this price point. This microphone has been one of the biggest keys to my own piano success.
The Best Piano Membership Site
If you’re looking for a high value course led by an expert in the field, Dr. Josh Wright’s ProPractice course is the one to check into. He also offers courses based on individual pieces if there’s a specific one you’re interested in learning. Check out what he has to offer because it’s comparable to nothing else out there!
Finding a Piano Teacher
If you’re ready to get started but are looking for type of 1:1 guidance only a piano teacher can offer, make sure to check out this list of online teachers accepting new students. Each of the teachers listed has a truly unique background and approach to teaching so stop waiting and get started now!
Let’s Get Started!
And there you have it! Five benefits to learning the piano as an adult and the common roadblocks holding you back. For even more information on getting started, check out this post on how to learn piano as an adult.
I truly hope this post inspires you to get out of your comfort zone and go for it! You never know where this one decision will take you. So get out there and get started!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this article and whether it inspired you to take the first step!
Excellent post! This is definitely a great time to learn something new. I appreciate the way you give actionable steps for people who might be interested in trying this. Thanks for the encouraging post!
You’re very welcome! Thank you so much for stopping by! š
This is an awesome post! I love it! I vaguely remember trying to play a keyboard when I was young, and I could kind of read music in high school…. so who knows… I’m definitely giving it thought.
I’m happy to hear you’re giving it thought – music is rewarding in so many ways. Thank you so much for stopping by! š
Very inspiring š I might try learning this year.
Go for it! š
Excellent reasons to play the piano as an adult. I had lessons as a child then took lessons again as an adult. I was pregnant with my son while re-learning the piano. And guess what? He started playing the piano at age two! He could hear me playing while I carried him. He is grown now and plays beautifully. Me…Iād have to start over again! š¤·š¼āāļø
I love that! It’s incredible to think about the impact we can have on our kids simply from our decision to pursue an activity. It’s never too late to start – it would probably come back more quickly than you think! Thank you so much for sharing your story! š
As a person that learned to play piano as a teenager for 3 years and then picked it up in my early 30’s only to stop after a year or so to start playing again in my 50’s I love that you are encouraging adults to try an instrument! Learning to play piano/keyboard now has so many more options than it did when I played as a kid. With the internet and youtube. there’s plenty of people showing short cuts, sharing tips and breaking down songs so a person can play them. I’m thankful I learned how to read music but wish my teachers would have taught me chords right off the bat. So yes! You are never too old to learn to play.
I completely agree that learning to play has become way more accessible now than it ever was before. And there is more flexibility to figure out exactly what you want to take from lessons and find a compatible teacher and/or course! With so many great options there really isn’t any room for excuses not to pursue it! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
Love this advice – I have actually played since I was 7 years old, but I remember my mom had to force me to continue lessons. I am now SO grateful that she did, because as an adult I have played in two cover bands. š For me, I am now trying to learn ukulele as an adult. I hope it has similar benefits!
Awesome! Music is so fulfilling and can take you in so many different directions! I’m happy you find joy in music! š Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
I wanted to learn piano when I was in high school, but my parents could not afford it. I wanted to try and learn as an adult but all the roadblocks you mentioned have been whats been holding me back. I’m motivated to try and get started. I love listening to piano and I would love to be able to play!
I’m so glad you found the post helpful! It’s definitely never too late to learn! And there are many reasonably priced instruments out there which are great for beginners. I wish you the best of luck as you go for it! š
Hi Amanda – this post is great! Thanks for sharing! I wanted to let you know that I am a piano teacher, and I teach only virtually. I have openings for more students this semester, and wondered if you might add me to the list of online piano students you send out in your email? Please let me know if that would work for you and what info you’d need from me.
Thank you so much for considering!
Hi Jessi! Thanks for the great feedback! Yes, I can absolutely add you to the list. Check out my Resources page for how the other teacher profiles are formatted and send me your information at amanda@akbradley.com. Again, thanks so much for stopping by! š