Piano teachers know that you are never too old to learn to play the piano. Adults ask them about taking lessons all the time. It is often one of the most frequent questions asked of any piano teacher. Adults either want to complete lessons begun when they were children, or they want to start lessons because they never could. There is something magical about playing the piano that makes it a secret dream of lots of people. Here is what piano teachers will tell you about it.
The big problem with placing age limits on learning is that the limits are not the same for everyone. In the past, classical piano training required students to start at 5 years old. If a student could not keep up with the traditional regimen of finger exercises or was unable to read the notes well, they might have been called less than talented. In the general public, it was often thought that only the gifted were destined to be musical.
Starting when you are an adult means that you will basically need to acquire a new language, except that the language of music includes not only reading it, but playing piano too. This is really the most difficult part for adults, usually. The understanding of how to read the music comes very easily, but the coordination problems of actually playing the keys is often quite frustrating. Adults need to develop their piano skills at about the same rate as young children. Just keep that in mind when your fingers get tangled.
The frustration that adults feel when they practice piano is that their intellectual abilities are in stark contrast to their physical ones. Adult fingers can feel very clumsy when starting out on the keys. Adults simply need to be patient with themselves when developing their piano technique. Lots of slow and steady practice is important, but most adults master their fingers well enough to enjoy playing favorite tunes.
Finding time to practice can be another factor to consider. If you are a working adult, you may feel challenged to find time to practice. Adult responsibilities often collide with wishes to play. It is not that there is no desire, it is that there may not be enough time available on any given day.
Helping an older student learn can be as easy as modeling good time management habits. Setting up an area to store piano music, theory workbooks, manuscript paper, pencils and erasers, and a lesson assignment notebook are the first step. Make sure your piano has good light so eyes do not become strained. Try different practice times over the course of one week, and choose what works best for everyone in the family. Stick to the routine until it becomes normal.
Another great plus for starting later in life is that you might be able to learn piano along with your grandchildren. Many active grandparents are taking time to help raise their grandchildren, and find that they are the prime transportation to and from piano lessons. Why not study at the same time? This plan works well because children often forget much of what is studied during their lessons. Having a grandparent to remember and review helps both to do better.
Desiring to take up lessons can surface when your children or grandchildren start their studies. This can be a springboard to creating shared learning experiences that last a lifetime. It really is true that you are never too old to learn to play the piano. - 40730
The big problem with placing age limits on learning is that the limits are not the same for everyone. In the past, classical piano training required students to start at 5 years old. If a student could not keep up with the traditional regimen of finger exercises or was unable to read the notes well, they might have been called less than talented. In the general public, it was often thought that only the gifted were destined to be musical.
Starting when you are an adult means that you will basically need to acquire a new language, except that the language of music includes not only reading it, but playing piano too. This is really the most difficult part for adults, usually. The understanding of how to read the music comes very easily, but the coordination problems of actually playing the keys is often quite frustrating. Adults need to develop their piano skills at about the same rate as young children. Just keep that in mind when your fingers get tangled.
The frustration that adults feel when they practice piano is that their intellectual abilities are in stark contrast to their physical ones. Adult fingers can feel very clumsy when starting out on the keys. Adults simply need to be patient with themselves when developing their piano technique. Lots of slow and steady practice is important, but most adults master their fingers well enough to enjoy playing favorite tunes.
Finding time to practice can be another factor to consider. If you are a working adult, you may feel challenged to find time to practice. Adult responsibilities often collide with wishes to play. It is not that there is no desire, it is that there may not be enough time available on any given day.
Helping an older student learn can be as easy as modeling good time management habits. Setting up an area to store piano music, theory workbooks, manuscript paper, pencils and erasers, and a lesson assignment notebook are the first step. Make sure your piano has good light so eyes do not become strained. Try different practice times over the course of one week, and choose what works best for everyone in the family. Stick to the routine until it becomes normal.
Another great plus for starting later in life is that you might be able to learn piano along with your grandchildren. Many active grandparents are taking time to help raise their grandchildren, and find that they are the prime transportation to and from piano lessons. Why not study at the same time? This plan works well because children often forget much of what is studied during their lessons. Having a grandparent to remember and review helps both to do better.
Desiring to take up lessons can surface when your children or grandchildren start their studies. This can be a springboard to creating shared learning experiences that last a lifetime. It really is true that you are never too old to learn to play the piano. - 40730
About the Author:
Merriam School Of Music 75-3175 Rutherford Rd, Vaughan, ON L4K 5Y6 (905) 829-4489 http://www.merriammusic.com/ Music school and piano store in the Greater Toronto Area. Offers piano lessons for children and adults. Also sells instruments, music and related products. Visit our Vaughan location!
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