How to Relearn Piano as an Adult After a Long Break

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Did you take lessons as a kid, then stop, and now regret it?

Maybe you played all the way through high school but stopped in college and now feel lost as to how to get back into it.

Regardless of your past with the piano, it’s never too late to pick up where you left off.

The foundation you built in the past, even if you were a reluctant student, had a bad learning experience, or simply didn’t love it at the time, will come back again.

And since you already have some foundational skills, relearning something like the piano is often easier than learning it the first time.

There are also many reasons why picking up a new hobby as an adult has huge advantages over learning as a kid.

If you’ve been wondering how to relearn piano as an adult, this is the post for you!

We’re going to cover:

How to assess your current level
What skills return first
How to practice efficiently
Which tools can help accelerate progress
Situations where you may want to take lessons instead of taking a DIY approach

Ready? Let’s get to it!

This post may contain affiliate links. As an affiliate, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through a link to any of the following: Amazon, Modacity, Dr. Josh Wright ProPractice, Piano University course by Zach Evans, Musicnotes, Playground Sessions, Skoove, Simply Piano 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.

Why Relearning Piano is Different Than Starting From Scratch
Step 1: Assess Your Current Piano Skills
Step 2: Rebuild Your Foundations First
Step 3: Choose Music That Motivates You
Step 4: Create a Sustainable Practice Routine
Tools That Can Help You Relearn Faster
Common Mistakes Adults Make When Returning to Piano
Final Thoughts

Why Relearning Piano is Different Than Starting From Scratch

Although it might sound like relearning piano as an adult would be a bit like pushing a huge boulder up a hill, there are a few reasons why it can be easier than you might think.

The Adult Advantage

One of the biggest advantages to coming back to piano as an adult is that you call all the shots.

You decide what type of music you want to play and can even choose how you’d like to learn. Do you want to take lessons from a local teacher? Or perhaps you’d like to try online courses.

Don’t like classical piano? Then find a program geared towards adults who want a more contemporary approach (hint … I’ve got the perfect suggestion here!).

You’ve had years of experience with learning all sorts of skills by this point in your life and can tailor the type of learning program to how you learn best.

Your focus and discipline are more refined.

And if you’re choosing to relearn piano as an adult, it means that the idea excites you.

You’ll likely have more passion for the process since you’re choosing to get back into it again rather than having it forced upon you.

Your Brain Remembers More Than You Think

Getting back into piano after a prolonged hiatus may sound daunting, but powerful muscle memory often returns surprisingly quickly.

Your previous playing history likely imprinted itself on your brain, and things like hand position, warm-up exercises, and key signatures are still there, waiting to be explored once again.

Simple songs from your old books can form the basis for a great re-learning experience when you’re in those first few stages of exploration.

Real improvement along your learning journey starts with a few simple steps based on your previous learning, and springboarding back into it again doesn’t have to be complex.

Make the process simple and fun!

What May Feel Rusty

I’m not going to lie. If you’ve taken more than a couple of years off from piano, everything will feel very awkward at first.

I’ve had times in my adult life when I’ve taken a few months off from learning piano and have been shocked by how foreign it feels to get back into it.

A few specific things you may struggle with at first include:

Hand coordination
Sight-reading speed
Confidence
Attention span

The last one is one of the biggest things I’ve noticed after a break from the keyboard. My attention span suddenly becomes embarrassingly low. Even 10 minutes feels like an eternity.

And I’m more prone to errors because it takes so much more effort to focus.

In summary, relearning piano as an adult has many benefits but also requires a little patience with yourself and the learning process.

Step one is figuring out where you are right now.

Step 1: Assess Your Current Piano Skills

Play Through Music You Used to Know

Your first practice session back at the keys should start with some familiar sheet music.

A lot of people think that you can simply dive in where you were before, but the best way is to start with pieces that are easier than what you were playing before you stopped.

Take note of what feels comfortable and enjoyable versus what causes unnecessary strain and feels frustrating.

For right now, stick with pieces that feel good and that you enjoy playing.

Evaluate Key Areas

A good place to start is by keeping track of how you feel in the following:

Reading music
Rhythm
Technique
Hand independence
Chords/theory knowledge

I like to keep a pencil and notebook next to the piano so I can jot down notes as I play.

You don’t have to be a piano teacher to write down how you feel you did in each of those areas.

Your goal here is to figure out in which areas of playing you need a bit more guidance or support.

This is not about being “good” or “bad.” It’s simply gathering information to move forward.

Don’t Judge Yourself

One of the things I’ve seen about adult learners getting back into piano again is how critical they can be of themselves.

My hope is that your time at the keyboard becomes the most enjoyable part of your day, but it can never be this if you don’t take the time to give yourself grace and enjoy the journey.

In reality, the piano is an incredibly forgiving instrument.

Unless you’re playing for a roomful of piano teachers, chances are pretty good that people listening to you aren’t aware that you missed that flat in the 4th measure.

Or that you were supposed to crescendo into the 27th measure.

People listening will simply enjoy the music you create!

There are adult amateur pianists at all levels of playing, and each and every one, including you, deserves to be celebrated!

Step 2: Rebuild Your Foundations First

Refresh Basic Technique

Establish a solid practice routine for all your sessions.

If you’d like help, check out this practice journal I created to help piano players organize and make the most out of their time in the piano practice room.

Aside from an effective warm-up, a few other items worth consideration for inclusion include:

Five-finger exercises
Scales
Arpeggios
Chord progressions

If you’re feeling especially rusty in your technique, I recommend checking out Dr. Josh Wright’s ProPractice program. His course includes an abundance of information on technique at all levels, from beginner through advanced.

If you’re curious, check out my review of the course here.

Review Music Reading Skills

Any good teacher will tell you that if you’re playing a bunch of wrong notes, then you need to slow down.

Don’t play so fast!

If you’re making a bunch of errors, then play at half speed until your brain has a chance to form the pathways required to take the tempo up a notch to full speed.

And if you’re someone who has taken a 30-year gap in their playing, take things very slowly.

Give yourself lots of grace.

Go back to those ideas of establishing landmark notes, looking at intervals, and even clapping out basic rhythms before you play them on the keyboard.

Take things very slowly and carefully at first, until these concepts start to come back.

Revisit Theory Fundamentals

Theory goes hand in hand with music reading skills.

It’s a good idea to spend some time reviewing key signatures, chords, and common chord progressions at this stage so you can better prepare for the next stage of your journey to relearning piano.

Taking time to slowly rebuild your knowledge and skills is always more beneficial than simply jumping back into a difficult classical piece you played before stopping.

Step 3: Choose Music That Motivates You

I think one of the most overlooked aspects of learning to play the piano is that it should be fun!

There is a time and a place for “educational” music, but you should also be choosing some pieces of music that you love so much you can’t stop humming them.

In fact, I recently realized that my piano practice routine had gotten a bit stale. I had been doing lots of church playing and realized I hadn’t been pursuing anything I really wanted to play.

So I went out, started listening, and found an arrangement of “Natural” by Imagine Dragons, and suddenly that spark for practice was reignited!

Avoid the “Where I Used to Be” Trap

While you’re out there looking for music that inspires you, show yourself plenty of grace.

Even if you used to play Chopin etudes and practice 2 hours a day, if you’ve taken time off, you’re not ready to jump in at that level right away.

And that’s ok!

Look for music that’s approachable for where you’re at currently.

Getting back into establishing a regular piano practice routine can be tricky enough without putting added pressure on yourself to play pieces at a difficult level.

Find the Sweet Spot

Speaking of finding music, keep the following criteria in mind when searching out new music:

Familiar
Enjoyable
Slightly challenging
Achievable within a few weeks

And if you’re looking for a program that has a large library of songs at all levels, check out Piano Marvel.

Mix Easy Wins with Long-Term Goals

If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of trying to choose your own music, then consider formal piano lessons.

A piano teacher can help you decide which level is most appropriate for you and find music that strikes the perfect balance between simplistic and impossible.

But if you’re embarking on this journey yourself, consider choosing a few pieces at a few different levels.

It’s always nice to find pieces that you can play well within a short amount of time and a piece that may take longer to master.

Here’s an example of a mix to consider:

Easy arrangement of a favorite song
Intermediate classical piece
Dream piece for the future

Having a balanced mix of music helps you see the momentum you’re building and gives you confidence to tackle tougher music.

Step 4: Create a Sustainable Practice Routine

Sustainable practice routines are my jam!

I love finding ways to encourage pianists to make practicing the piano a regular part of their daily lives.

And I believe we all benefit from a bit more creativity in our lives.

Consistency Beats Intensity

There is lots of research out there that points to the value of consistency over intensity in improving skills, from sports to music.

Practicing for even 5 minutes a day, every day, wins out over a once-weekly 2-hour marathon practice session.

One reason this is true is that the brain learns better in short sessions when you can maintain complete focus.

Your recall will be sharper and progress faster when you break those practice sessions into very small pieces.

Sample Piano Practice Routine

Use the following as a rough guide for building your small but sustainable routine:

Use the first 5 minutes for warm-up.
Spend 5 minutes on exercises to improve your technique.
Use the next 10 minutes to focus on a piece that you’re currently learning.
Wrap up your session by playing something you really love – it could be a piece that you previously learned or something new.

Always end your sessions by playing music that excites you, so you’ll be eager to come back to the piano the next day.

Expect Uneven Progress

When you’re getting back into practice, expect that your progress will be variable.

Some weeks you’ll find practice enjoyable, and you’ll feel like you’re making so much progress.

Other weeks, you may question why you even wanted to relearn piano.

It’s all completely normal.

Progress, and not perfection, is the goal here.

Tools That Can Help You Relearn Faster

Piano Learning Apps

Apps can be a great way to get back into piano again.

They often make learning fun and rewarding.

Piano learning apps can help with accountability and provide structured learning.

They can also provide immediate feedback on your playing.

A couple of specific programs that I’ve explored include:

Classical Piano Support

If you’re craving help with classical piano, my best recommendation is ProPractice by Dr. Josh Wright.

His program consists of detailed videos breaking down some of the most popular classical piano repertoire.

If you’re curious, check out my previous ProPractice review post.

Piano Lessons

I know that traditional piano lessons may not be considered a “tool” per se, but it is worth mentioning here.

If you want more personalized guidance, look into piano lessons.

Many teachers now offer online lessons, which are a great option regardless of where you live.

Some teachers offer lessons on an as-needed basis, while others have openings for weekly lessons.

It all depends on where you’re at in your learning journey and your availability.

Common Mistakes Adults Make When Returning to Piano

Trying to Progress Too Fast

It goes without saying that learning takes time.

Be patient with yourself.

Base your goals on actions within your immediate control rather than on learning a piece in a certain amount of time.

For example, set a goal of practicing for 15 minutes daily rather than, say, playing the first 2 pages of the Moonlight Sonata by the end of the week.

And then reward yourself for meeting your goals.

Comparing Yourself to Your Younger Self

You’ve grown, evolved, and changed over time, and those are great things.

It can take some time to get back into something like piano after a break.

And that’s ok!

You’ve likely continued to learn and grow in other ways, which can actually make coming back to the piano easier.

Celebrate those skills instead of wasting time worrying about where you used to be.

Practicing Inconsistently

A little bit every day is worth so much more than a lot only occasionally.

Carving out a little time each day is more realistic than trying to practice for 2 hours a day.

Your brain will also thank you for the small chunks of practice time.

If you’re looking for help with achieving consistency in your practice, don’t miss out on Modacity.

It’s an app for musicians designed to help you practice more consistently and intelligently.

If you’re curious, check out my Modacity review post.

Quitting During the Awkward Phase

Learning and relearning skills requires an awkward phase.

You’ll question what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.

But that’s absolutely not a good reason to stop!

Keep going, and you’ll reap the rewards of pushing through.

Greatness lies just beyond your comfort zone!

Final Thoughts

Relearning piano as an adult after a long break is about more than recovering old skills. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with a part of yourself that may have been waiting quietly in the background for years.

You don’t need to become the pianist you once were, and you certainly don’t need to prove anything to anyone. The goal is simply to enjoy making music again, one practice session at a time.

Some days your fingers will remember more than you expect. On other days, you may feel like a complete beginner. Both experiences are normal. What matters most is that you keep showing up at the piano with curiosity and patience.

Whether you choose to work with a teacher, use an app, follow an online course, or simply explore your favorite songs on your own, consistent small steps will lead to meaningful progress. The foundation you built in the past is still there, and with time and practice, it can grow stronger than ever.

So sit down at the piano, play a few notes, and allow yourself to enjoy the journey. The music is still waiting for you.

If you found this post helpful, check out a few of my other posts:

How to Relearn Piano as an Adult After a Long Break