| I've never met an adult that says "I sure am sorry I | | | | though. Don't discount a teaching method just because |
| learned to play the piano so well when I was a kid." | | | | it's different from what you're used to. Compare |
| But I've met hundreds of adult who have said "I sure | | | | different learning methods before deciding which one is |
| wish I had kept up my piano lessons -- I'd love to be | | | | best for you. |
| able to play" | | | | 2. Be willing to start from sqare one. Adults by |
| However, some adults who have been out of practice | | | | experience have a better grasp of the physical |
| for several years may find returning to piano lessons | | | | properties of a piano keyboard. That doesn't mean it |
| challenging. Re-learning piano as an adult can be | | | | won't be challenging. Don't expect to play a classical |
| intimidating. Starting piano lessons again can be fulfilling | | | | sonata in the first month. Take things slowly, perhaps |
| though for those prepared to tackle the challenges. | | | | even starting with a refresher of the basics (i.e., |
| One of the biggest challenges of re-learning piano as | | | | scales). |
| an adult is changing methods. Adults who took only a | | | | 3. Be committed to practicing. Remember your mother |
| few years of piano lessons as children may have | | | | nagging you to practice as a kid? Mom's not around |
| initially learned to play by rote. Playing piano by rote | | | | now, so it's up to you to push yourself. The results you |
| focuses more on memorization and mimicry than on | | | | get in piano playing will be comenserate with the time |
| learning to read music and understand chords. | | | | and effort you practice. Make daily practice time a |
| Children tend to learn very quickly by rote. Children | | | | priority. |
| who learn by this method appear to progress quickly. | | | | 4. Find the right teacher. Getting the right piano |
| Eventually though, as pieces get more difficult, learning | | | | instructor makes all the difference in the world. Look |
| tends to slow down significantly. Grasping new skills | | | | for a teacher who is experienced with working with |
| becomes increasingly difficult. This method is becoming | | | | adults. Make sure the instructor is familiar with the |
| less and less favored by piano instructors today for | | | | original method that you learned. The right instructor |
| this reason. | | | | should be able to evaluate your skills within one or two |
| Another hurdle to clear when re-learning piano as an | | | | sessions. He or she will then set you on the right |
| adult is chords and theory. This is especially true if an | | | | course for re-learning. For self-motivated adults, there |
| adult took only a few years of piano lessons as a | | | | are a couple great piano teachers online that can get |
| child. Adults who had five or fewer years of piano | | | | you playing and enjoying yourself fairly quickly. Type in |
| lessons likely didn't learn chord theory. Even adults who | | | | "play piano" or "piano lessons for adults" in any search |
| learned to read music as children frequently have | | | | engine and you will locate them. |
| trouble grasping chords. | | | | Re-learning piano as an adult can be very rewarding. |
| Learning anything (piano or otherwise) is always harder | | | | Not only will you improve your piano skills; you'll |
| in adulthood than childhood. It's not impossible though. | | | | stimulate your brain too. There are benefits galore in |
| Anyone with a foundation in music is at an advantage | | | | many ways from playing piano. Adults who take piano |
| when re-learning piano as an adult. | | | | lessons often report a better ability to concentrate. |
| Would you like to tickle the ivories and play your | | | | Many also realize a greater aptitude for learning other |
| favorite songs? Here are four things to consider | | | | new skills. These things carry over into other parts of |
| before you start: | | | | adult life, from work, to hobbies and even raising |
| 1. Be willing to put aside old habits. That keyboard is still | | | | children. |
| the same old keyboard. Teaching methods may have | | | | |