If you’ve been practicing piano for months or years and still feel like you haven’t made the progress you expected, you’re not alone.
Maybe you’ve learned things here and there.
You do feel like you’ve made progress since you first started playing.
But you’re definitely not where you’d like to be.
It’s especially common for adult learners to compare themselves to where they think they should be.
And with social media, you don’t have to look far to find pianists farther along than you.
Believe me, I’ve spiraled down that path before!
The truth is that piano progress isn’t always obvious.
And many plateaus are caused by habits rather than a lack of talent, which is why they can be changed.
The good news is that these habits are common and fixable.
Let’s look at 9 reasons why you may not be making the progress you expected by now.
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- Mistake #1: Practicing Without Clear Goals
- Mistake #2: Playing Pieces From Beginning To End Every Time
- Mistake #3: Practicing Too Fast
- Mistake #4: Skipping Fundamental Skills
- Mistake #5: Practicing Inconsistently
- Mistake #6: Comparing Yourself to Other Pianists
- Mistake #7: Never Challenging Yourself
- Mistake #8: Ignoring Feedback
- Mistake #9: Expecting Progress to Happen Quickly
- Signs You're Actually Improving (Even If It Doesn't Feel Like It)
- Final Thoughts: Progress Is Usually Closer Than You Think
Mistake #1: Practicing Without Clear Goals
This one still gets me today.
I’ll be reflecting on my playing experience and am suddenly hit with this feeling that I’m not making progress.
But when I confront those thoughts with evidence, I’m left wondering what I’m actually working towards, which makes the missing goals obvious.
And I suddenly realize that I’ve drifted away from setting goals.
The Problem
It’s so common, especially when you’re a busy adult juggling ALL THE THINGS, to simply sit down at the keys and start playing.
After all, your time is limited.
You find yourself jumping from song to song, playing music, but not giving much thought to whether you’re playing them the way you’d like.
In other words, you’re not setting clear goals for yourself and then determining whether they’re being met.
Why It Hurts Progress
If you practice without thinking about goals, progress becomes random rather than expected, so each session loses direction.
It’s similar to jumping in your car without any particular destination.
Sure, you can simply start driving.
But who knows where you’ll end up?
And if you’re disappointed in where you land, you’ve really no one to blame except your extreme lack of planning.
In other words, if you don’t take the time to determine exactly what you’re trying to improve, you’ll never improve because the bar will always be moving.
What To Do Instead
Set very small goals for each session.
An example might be playing the 5th measure with correct fingering.
Or nailing the crescendo in the middle of the song.
Set the goal, check whether you met it, then adjust so that each session builds on the next.
It’s that simple.
One huge tip for making sure you follow through on analyzing your efforts is to record yourself and listen back.
Recording is one of the most undervalued tools in the practice room but I believe it sets the really great practicers apart from everyone else.
If you’re curious, check out this previous article on why you should record your piano practice.
Mistake #2: Playing Pieces From Beginning To End Every Time
I’ve been guilty of this one, too.
I continue to struggle with this one because no matter how much I work through a piece, my brain somehow believes that if I start at the beginning and just keep going, I’ll magically improve somewhere in the middle.
Even after years and years of this lie, it still sneaks into my practice sessions.
The Problem
Many piano players practice by starting at the beginning of a song and then repeatedly playing through to the end.
Although there is a time and place for this type of practice, it can be difficult to make true progress, especially on more difficult pieces, unless you break down the parts of the song you find most challenging.
Why It Hurts Progress
One of the hidden ways playing a piece repeatedly from beginning to end hurts progress is that you practice the parts that you know just as much as the ones you don’t know, which slows down the parts that need work.
This results in a very “blah” preparation of a piece.
The parts you know well will sound phenomenal.
But the parts of the piece you don’t know will really sound like crap.
What To Do Instead
Divide the song you’re playing into very small sections. It might be as short as a phrase or even a measure.
Go through and rate the difficulty of each section as easy, medium, or hard.
When you sit down to practice, spend more time on the difficult sections than you do the easy ones.
Practice the tough sections on their own, then work on transitioning into and out of those sections.
And practicing in this way can help you start to see real progress because you’ll clearly see where you started and where you’re aiming.
Mistake #3: Practicing Too Fast
I’m going to go ahead and raise my hand on this one, too.
The Problem
Many people, myself included, will try to play songs at concert tempo before they’ve really learned the piece.
Others may feel that playing at a slow tempo is boring and that it’s more exciting to play at a faster tempo.
Although this may feel true sometimes, slow practice helps your fingers and your brain learn the piece more effectively, so speed can wait.
Why It Hurts Progress
Playing a new song too fast in the early stages of learning often creates tension because your brain and body are struggling to keep up with what’s coming next.
It’s also much easier to incorporate bad piano techniques into your playing when you’re racing through all your songs.
Overall, playing songs at a faster rate than you’re ready to play them results in many more mistakes than you would otherwise make.
What To Do Instead
Slow down! Start all your pieces at a much slower pace than you think necessary.
This helps develop strong muscle memory and allows your brain to incorporate the information it needs so you can play accurately from the beginning of a new piece.
Another tip that’s helpful when you’re learning something new is to play with a metronome – again, at an incredibly slow pace.
A metronome can be especially helpful for figuring out tricky rhythms.
Once you know the piece well at the very slowest tempo, then gradually increase until you’ve hit your goal speed.
But if you increase the tempo and make a bunch of mistakes, tick the metronome back down a few notches until your accuracy improves.
Mistake #4: Skipping Fundamental Skills
Depending on your piano learning goals, it can be really easy to focus only on the fun stuff: playing the songs you love!
The Problem
Playing only songs and not practicing other, more fundamental skills such as scales, chords, or diversifying your playing.
Why It Hurts Progress
If you skip more fundamental skills of piano playing, your ability to play tougher music will be limited, so those basics matter.
Aside from the fundamentals of learning notes, key signatures, and scales, there are the more stylistic aspects, such as phrasing, dynamics, and articulation.
These types of skills make the biggest impact on your overall piano progress, so the only way you’re going to get better is to push yourself into doing them.
What To Do Instead
Supplement your fun playing with some learning, so your practice stays balanced.
Invest in an online course to help with your sight-reading skills or your ear training.
There are so many ways to develop the fundamental skills that will help you become a better pianist.
A few of my favorite resources for supplementing those skills include:
Mistake #5: Practicing Inconsistently
Of all the mistakes on this list, this is probably my biggest.
Looking back, I really regret not putting more time into deliberate practice throughout my lifetime, because the gaps are easier to see now.
Although it can feel like there’s never enough time to practice, when I look back at my days, I’ve spent entirely too much time in front of the television and too little in front of the keys.
The Problem
For some adult beginners, this may include not practicing at all.
And for others, it might be scheduling a long practice session once a week, but nothing in between.
The cause of the inconsistency might be a perceived lack of time, lack of motivation, or even frustration with stagnant progress, all of which can interrupt routine.
Why It Hurts Progress
Inconsistent practice is almost as bad as no practice at all, because it makes every session feel like starting over.
Each session is spent trying to recall what you did last time, so it’s really difficult to make any headway.
Research shows our brains learn more effectively in short chunks of time than during marathon sessions, which is why shorter practice can work better.
If you don’t believe me, think back to the last high school or college lecture you attended.
I’m not sure about you, but I was usually drifting off about 10 minutes in.
Contrast that with a TikTok video about basically any topic.
I’m guessing you vividly remember the last video you watched.
I get that TikTok videos are designed to capture your attention, but it’s much easier to hold it on one thing for 30 seconds than for 3 hours.
What To Do Instead
Strive for a daily practice time of only 15 minutes.
This should take some of the pressure off you, too, because when I think about longer sessions, I immediately start to dread the experience.
But when I tell myself I’m only sitting for 15 minutes, it feels much more manageable, so I can start more easily.
Frequency beats intensity every time.
And if things are going well at 15 minutes, you can always extend your practice routine accordingly.
But you have an out for yourself if you’re just not feeling it that day.
Here’s a quick video of me playing a piece I learned by committing to just 15 minutes of practice a day.
Mistake #6: Comparing Yourself to Other Pianists
I know I said the last one was my biggest piano mistake, but I actually think this one might be.
During college, I spent much of my time comparing myself to other students and mentally breaking myself down instead of honing my energy on more effective practice strategies.
And I am still guilty of this one from time to time.
The Problem
When you compare yourself to others, it’s not fair.
You have no idea of their playing history, teachers they’ve had, or the challenges they’ve had to overcome to get to where they are today.
Why It Hurts Progress
This is a deeply personal one to me because throughout college, I was convinced talent was everything and that I simply didn’t have it.
Comparing yourself to others leaves you feeling discouraged and defeated.
After a while, it seems hopeless to even try because everyone around you seems so much better.
Progress feels invisible.
What To Do Instead
The truth is that everyone is on their own journey.
Music itself is deeply personal, and if you find meaning in it, then you’ve met your goal.
Use recordings of others as inspiration for your own playing.
Keep a practice journal and jot down your goals and the ways you’re achieving them.
Record yourself, and when you’re feeling down, listen back to those recordings so you can realize how far you’ve really come.
Mistake #7: Never Challenging Yourself
As with most things in life, if you want to grow, you’re going to have to face challenge.
The Problem
Playing music that’s too easy and never stretching yourself to play tougher pieces.
Why It Hurts Progress
Growth requires some struggle.
You have to get comfortable getting uncomfortable, and this definitely applies to piano.
If you keep playing the same songs over and over, your playing skills will never grow.
What To Do Instead
When you’re considering different pieces to play, always include one that’s a “stretch piece.”
This is a piece of music that would take you a few weeks to months to learn.
It’s not something you could easily get under your fingers in a week.
It may also include a new style of playing or a different genre. A few to consider:
- Jazz
- Improvisation
- Blues
- Pop
- Classical
- Playing with other musicians
Whatever it is, make it something that pushes you outside your comfort zone.
Frustration is evidence of growth.
Mistake #8: Ignoring Feedback
Whether you’re taking lessons from a piano teacher or are getting feedback from a friend, feedback is key to growth.
When I think back to stagnant periods I’ve had in my playing, it’s often because I was not taking the time to incorporate feedback into positive change.
The Problem
If you play consistently without recording yourself or seeking feedback from another person, blind spots start to develop.
Little mistakes and technical issues can creep into your playing without you realizing it.
These little mistakes can become big barriers to progress if you don’t take the time to address them as they pop up.
Why It Hurts Progress
Regardless of the skill you’re learning, feedback is essential to improvement.
What To Do Instead
Taking piano lessons occasionally is always a great idea.
Getting individualized feedback from a teacher is invaluable when you’re trying to improve your skills.
But if lessons aren’t realistic for you right now, at the very least, you must record your playing and then listen back.
I love taking notes on my playing to guide my next few practice sessions.
A few of the things I listen for specifically include:
- Note accuracy
- Rhythm
- Dynamics
- Voicing
- Phrasing
- Overall stylistic features of the piece
I’ve previously written a couple of posts on recording your sessions that you may find helpful.
- Why You Must Record Your Piano Practice and Simple Tips
- Best Piano Mics for Home Recording: 2026 Buying Guide
Mistake #9: Expecting Progress to Happen Quickly
This last one is the chief reason people give up on their piano journeys too quickly.
As with most things worth the effort in life, piano is hard, but it’s so worth it when you finally nail that song you never thought you could learn.
And there’s really no better way to spend your time than adding a little more beauty to the world!
The Problem
Sometimes when you’re learning a new skill, progress seems to happen quite quickly at first.
But the longer you’re at it, the slower the progress becomes.
It’s the same with piano.
You may notice dramatic week-over-week improvements at first, but as you continue learning, things become more nuanced.
It might seem like you’re reached a plateau.
But in reality, you’re just on the verge of your next breakthrough!
Why It Hurts Progress
Expecting progress to come quickly is the best way to lose your confidence and motivation.
It can feel really defeating when you don’t see the type of progress you’d like.
And this is the point at which it’s easy to assume you simply don’t have talent and quit altogether.
What To Do Instead
Instead of motivating yourself with progress, think about all the daily action steps you’re taking that will eventually get you towards your goal.
Set very tiny goals and then celebrate when you achieve them.
Persistence compounds over time, and it’s often in those moments when things feel hopeless that a big breakthrough comes.
Signs You’re Actually Improving (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)
These are really subtle, so watch carefully, but if you see any of these, you’re actually improving more than you think.
- You make fewer mistakes than before.
- New pieces take less time to learn.
- Your rhythm is steadier.
- You can recognize patterns faster.
- Your hands feel more coordinated.
- You recover from mistakes more easily.
- You enjoy playing more than you used to.
Most people underestimate the amount of progress they’ve actually made in any particular skill.
One of the best pieces of advice I have for people in this area is to think back to when you first started.
Maybe the very first time you played a keyboard.
Now think about where you are.
I’m willing to bet you’ve made so much progress!
And you’ve got so much ahead of you.
Final Thoughts: Progress Is Usually Closer Than You Think
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this article, it’s this:
You’re probably doing better than you think you are.
As adults, we’re often our own harshest critics. We expect progress on our timeline, and when it doesn’t, we assume we’re doing something wrong or simply aren’t talented enough.
But piano doesn’t work that way.
Real progress is built one practice session at a time. It’s made up of hundreds of tiny improvements that are almost impossible to notice from one day to the next. Then one day, you sit down at the piano and realize that a piece that once felt impossible now feels comfortable under your fingers.
Those moments don’t happen by accident. They happen because you kept showing up.
So instead of trying to fix everything at once, pick one mistake from this list and focus on improving it over the next week. Maybe you’ll start setting clearer goals before each practice session. Maybe you’ll finally slow down and use the metronome. Or maybe you’ll commit to practicing just 15 minutes a day instead of waiting for the perfect hour-long block of free time.
Small, consistent changes almost always beat dramatic overhauls.
And remember, the goal isn’t to become the world’s greatest pianist overnight. The goal is to become a little better than you were yesterday.
Keep learning. Keep challenging yourself. Keep making music.
Your next breakthrough may be much closer than you think.
I’d love to hear from you! Which of these nine mistakes do you struggle with the most? Let me know in the comments below, and if you’re looking for more practical tips to help you make faster progress, be sure to check out some of the related articles below.
- How to Relearn Piano as an Adult After a Long Break
- Best Piano Learning Apps for Adults Ranked by Learning Style
- Learn How to Practice Piano in 15 Minutes a Day
- Best Tips for How to Read Sheet Music Faster on Piano
- How to Elevate Your Playing with a Piano Practice Journal
