If you’re an adult learning piano (or coming back to it after years away), let me start by saying this: you’re not doing it wrong just because it feels hard.
Piano is a complex, coordination-heavy skill, and adults tend to bring a whole lot of expectations, pressure, and self-judgment into the process.
As a piano teacher, I see the same handful of beginner mistakes come up again and again—not because students aren’t capable, but because no one ever told them what actually matters in the early stages.
And I’ll be the first to raise my hand and admit that I still struggle with several of these piano-playing mistakes.
The good news? Every single one of these mistakes has a simple, practical fix that will put you on the right track toward becoming a better pianist.
Let’s walk through the most common beginner piano mistakes I see piano students make—and what to do instead so you can make real progress without burning out or feeling defeated.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an affiliate of the Amazon Associate program, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through a link to Modacity, Dr. Josh Wright ProPractice, Piano University course by Zach Evans, Musicnotes, Playground Sessions, Skoove, or Piano Marvel. Please see my full disclosure for further information and privacy policy.
I take no credit for the images appearing on this page. Specific photos are courtesy of Canva. Although I am a nurse practitioner, I am not YOUR medical provider. The information in this post is for informational purposes only. It does NOT replace individualized health information from a qualified medical professional. Please see a qualified medical professional for individualized assistance with your health and wellness. I do utilize AI for certain aspects of content creation; however, the main ideas are all my own.
Mistake #1: Trying to Play Too Fast, Too Soon
This is probably the most common mistake I see, and even after playing for over 30 years, I still make this mistake all the time.
You hear a piece, you know how it’s supposed to sound, and your brain wants your fingers to magically keep up. So you rush. You push the tempo. You tell yourself you’ll “clean it up later.”
But here’s the truth: speed hides mistakes—it doesn’t fix them.
When you practice too fast, your brain never has the chance to learn accurate notes, rhythms, and movements. You end up reinforcing errors instead of building confidence.
What to Do Instead
Slow down more than you think you need to.
I’ve heard this phrase so many times from my own teachers and can’t help repeating it again here: If you can’t play it slowly and evenly, you don’t actually know it yet.
- Use a metronome at a comfortable, steady tempo that you can easily maintain.
- Focus on accuracy before speed.
- Increase tempo in very small increments.
Speed is a byproduct of control—not something you force.
And many common piano technique mistakes actually come down to playing too fast without having a solid foundation in technique.
Mistake #2: Only Practicing When You Have “Enough Time”
This topic recently earned its own blog post, and it’s one I’m passionate about.
We all lead really busy lives.
Between work, kids, and all those extracurricular activities, juggling everything feels impossible sometimes.
It can be easy to fall into the trap of skipping practice if you only have a little bit of free time.
What to Do Instead
Practice in small, intentional pockets of time.
Ten focused minutes count as a practice session. Five minutes count. Even sitting down to fix one tricky measure counts.
Consistency beats duration every time.
Some ideas:
- Keep your piano visible and accessible.
- Set a timer for 10–15 minutes.
- Decide what you’ll work on before you sit down.
Progress comes from showing up regularly, not from marathon practice sessions.
If you’re looking for more advice on fitting practice into a busy schedule, check out this recent post.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Technique Because You Just Want to Play Songs
I get it. Technique exercises don’t sound exciting, especially when your goal is to play music you love.
It can be especially easy to fall into this one if you’re learning by watching YouTube video tutorials, because they often show the end result without all the steps along the way to get you there.
But skipping technique early on is like building a house on a shaky foundation.
Eventually, it shows up as tension, frustration, or even pain.
But paying attention to correct habits and carrying those through every step of the way helps ensure that you can play the music you want to play.
What to Do Instead
Think of proper technique as problem prevention, not busywork.
You don’t need hours of scales, but you do need:
- Proper hand shape
- Relaxed wrists and arms
- Awareness of tension
Even 5 minutes of intentional technical work can dramatically improve how your playing feels.
And bonus: good technique actually makes learning songs easier.
Bonus Resource
If private lessons aren’t an option right now, I have an amazing technique resource to improve your technical skills.
The resource, ProPractice, was created by Dr. Josh Wright to help students improve their techniques in a self-guided way.
ProPractice is a collection of video tutorials for developing solid technique for people who want to play classical music.
It’s a fantastic resource, especially for pianists who find regular piano lessons difficult.
You can read more in my previous review post of the ProPractice course.
Mistake #4: Playing Through Mistakes Without Fixing Them
This one is sneaky. You hit a wrong note, keep going, and tell yourself it was “no big deal.” But then the same mistake happens again… and again… and again.
That’s not bad luck—that’s how the brain learns.
What to Do Instead
Stop and fix mistakes immediately.
- Isolate the problem spot.
- Slow it down
- Play the correct notes multiple times in a row until it feels natural.
When practicing, it can be helpful to identify a weak spot and spend more time on this spot until playing it correctly feels comfortable.
Correct repetitions of the right notes are what matter. Every time you play a piece of music wrong, your brain treats it as information.
Practice doesn’t make perfect—practice makes permanent.
Mistake #5: Comparing Yourself to Other Pianists
It seems like piano players are especially prone to comparison. You scroll social media, watch YouTube pianists, or hear someone casually say they’ve been playing “for a year,” and suddenly you feel behind.
Here’s the reality: you are seeing highlights, not context.
You don’t know how often they practice, what their background is, or what they struggle with off-camera.
Maybe their piano journey didn’t get off to a great start, or, like many beginners, they continually struggle with bad posture or poor finger technique.
This one hit me really hard in college because I was surrounded by so many talented musicians.
It was hard not to feel completely inadequate.
What to Do Instead
One of the best ways to overcome comparison is to only compare yourself to past you.
Ask questions like:
- Can I play this more confidently than last month?
- Do I understand music better than I used to?
- Is something that felt impossible now manageable?
Progress at the piano is not linear, and it’s not a race.
Sometimes success is simply realizing that you’ve stuck with it, even when it felt hard.
Mistake #6: Skipping Music Reading Skills
As a busy adult learning a new skill, it can be easy to find yourself relying on finger numbers, memorization, muscle memory, or watching your hands rather than learning how to read music.
While these tactics can work in the short term, they can eventually stunt your musical growth and independence.
What to Do Instead
Build reading skills gradually and consistently.
- Practice simple pieces you can read comfortably.
- Learn to recognize patterns instead of individual notes.
- Say note names or rhythms out loud while practicing.
Reading music is a skill, just like playing—it improves with repetition and patience.
Bonus Resource
And speaking of note reading, if you’re looking to improve, I highly recommend checking out Piano Marvel.
They offer a unique sight-reading program that lets you track and improve your skills over time.
It’s a phenomenal system created by piano teachers.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out my Piano Marvel review here.
Mistake #7: Expecting Constant Motivation
I’m feeling this one particularly hard right now.
As life has gotten busier for me, it’s harder to maintain a consistent practice routine.
And the longer I’m away from the keyboard, the harder it is to find my way back.
It can seem like great pianists are blessed with constant motivation to sit down at the keyboard.
But I’ve found the opposite is actually true.
Practice consistency leads to feelings of motivation.
And progress can happen on even those days when you feel completely unmotivated.
What to Do Instead
Create routines instead of relying on motivation.
- Practice at the same time each day
- Pair piano with an existing habit (coffee, quiet time, bedtime routine)
- Set realistic, short-term goals.
Momentum comes from action, not inspiration.
Mistake #8: Thinking You’re “Too Old” to Learn Piano
This one breaks my heart.
Adults often assume that if progress isn’t fast, it means they’ve missed their chance.
But adult learners bring something kids don’t: discipline, perspective, and intentionality.
What to Do Instead
Reframe what progress looks like.
You may not learn the same way a child does—and that’s okay. Adults often:
- Understand theory more deeply.
- Practice more intentionally
- Appreciate music on a richer level
Learning piano as an adult is not a disadvantage—it’s just different.
Bonus Resource
I came across Zach Evans several years ago and have loved his teaching style ever since!
If you’re stuck in the belief that you’re too old to learn piano, then I highly recommend you check out his Piano University courses.
He’s had many older students who have made unbelievable progress at the keys, and their stories are nothing short of inspirational.
I also love the ear-training course he offers because I’ve always struggled with it.
If you’re intrigued, read my Piano University review course here.
Final Thoughts
If you recognize yourself in any of these most common mistakes, take a deep breath. None of them mean you’re failing—they mean you’re learning.
The key to success at the piano isn’t talent or perfect practice habits. It’s consistent, thoughtful effort paired with realistic expectations.
Slow down. Simplify. Give yourself permission to be a beginner.
And remember: every confident pianist you admire was once sitting exactly where you are now—hands on the keys, wondering if they were doing it right.
You are.
If you enjoyed this post, here are a few others that you might find helpful:
- 2026 Review of the Best Piano Apps for Adults
- How to Balance Piano Practice and a Busy Mom Schedule
- Why You Must Record Your Piano Practice and Simple Tips
- 10 Easy Piano Pieces Every Beginner Should Learn
- Learn How to Practice Piano in 15 Minutes a Day
