To think I can learn to play the piano at 30?

[LilyMyOneAndOnly]

Because everyone I say this to gives me a bit of a raised eyebrow! We're almost finished with our house extension and I am thinking of buying a piano and getting lessons. I don't play any other instruments, I can't even read music, but I've always wanted to learn. I was very jealous of my friends that had music lessons at school, my parents couldn't afford it.

Does anyone have any success stories of learning a instrument as an adult?

A lady who used to work with me started to learnafter she retired and her DM died. She has done a couple of exams too, passing to grade 3 at this stage. She finds the exams so funny because all the kids assume she's a granny there minding a kid, and freak out at someone soooo oooold going into the room

Not sure why anyone would raise an eyebrow at an adult learning an instrument. Learning new things should be a life-long habit in my opinion.

A while ago I had some refresher piano lessons after a gap of a few decades. There are some good resources online (including some youtube masterclasses from Steinway).

My uncle started piano lessons in his 60s, along with having swimming lessons too. You're never too old.

I've also thought about having refresher piano lessons (I learnt from about age 8-16), just for fun, didn't really take exams. I'm really rusty now but have borrowed an electric piano so am tinkering in my free time.

DS has just started lessons at 12yo. He has a book, recommended by his teacher, that is piano for beginner adults and seems to cover everything I learned in 5 years of lessons as a child (I wasn't very good) in a few months.

The book is Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, Lesson Book, Level1 if anyone's interested. It has a very unappealing, old fashioned cover, but DS is enjoying it and progressing at startling speed. I think it might even be better to learn a bit older.

I've started re-learning the little I knew 35 years ago and am enjoying it far more than I did then.

Not the piano but I am learning to type on a chorded keyboard at the moment and have a few years on you. Many people who learn to type this way to a professional standard are not youngsters.

Therefore I have to hope assume it's perfectly possible.

I hope so. I got the kids a digital piano last xmas, - they have lessons, and I'm teaching myself to play. I got the books recommended on here: The complete piano player by kenneth baker. You can't imagine my delight at playing 'super trooper'!

I think as long as you are able to practice for about an average of an hour a day every week (not necessarily every day though), an afford weekly or biweekly lessons and are willing to accept that it will be a few years before you are any good then yes you can learn. Not to concern pianist standard, obviously, but definitely to be competent. I'd recommend doing exams as it gives you something to aim for. I can't stress enough that you need to commit to it though, and will have a long period of being rubbish. It also can be annoying to the rest of the family if you have a small house, so if possible I'd recommend an electric piano with headphones.

Do it! I'm doing a music teaching diploma now at 55 having got 2grade 8s last year.....My friend in her 60s is taking Grade 4 Jazz....please, please, do it. I know loads of adult learners. You'll have a great time.

Institution
The book is Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course, Lesson Book
I have the first couple of books and would also recommend. There are some well known pieces of music in them as well as some lovely pieces I hadn't come across.

I have a Roland electric piano - I had no idea the quality of an electric piano would be as good as it is.

It's only too late to try something when you're dead.

Adult learners practise much more earnestly than children, mainly because they appreciate the rewards hard work brings, and have an understanding of the costs involved. Go for it!

Op I am in your area. Pm me for more details

only read the OP and skimmed to see you have lots of support. Just wanted to add some more....
MIL is a piano teacher, her oldest pupil is a gentleman who started when he was 70 - family at a loss what to buy him and he said, well I've always wished I could play the piano.....

never too late!

I had piano lessons when I was 40. My two DDs were having lessons and playing the piano is something I always wanted to do but never had the opportunity to do. I took my grade one theory test in a large hall with dozens of little children, me and about 4 other adults! The children were very sweet with lots of them saying 'good luck' to me!
I took my grade one practical and I was so nervous my hands shook. I had to give myself a talking too and tell myself it wasn't the end of the world if I didn't pass! I got the minimum marks needed to pass.
I got good enough to play a few nursery rhymes but then moved house and didn't have a piano any more. It is something I would still like to have and I am much older now. Maybe when I retire.

Good luck.

I'd love to learn. My DM was a pianist and an organist. She says my 9 1/2" span is good. Shame my fingers are too stiff.

I'm 42 and I've been promising myself I'd learn piano for about two years but haven't gotten around to it . I always assumed that lessons would be really expensive and unaffordable, plus I don't have a piano so I'd need to buy a keyboard of some kind. Those of you who have lessons, what's the ballpark cost per lesson, please? Any recommendations for a keyboard with weighted keys? I just have no idea where to start!

I started to learn piano aged 40, including learning to read music. I then went on to do a music degree with piano as my main instrument so yes definitely doable! Good luck! ??

Of course you can. Go for it!

I have had flute and signing lessons as an adult. I played the piano as a child and so could read music which is undoubtedly a huge advantage. However, my singing teacher has told me she had a number of adult pupils who started with no musical knowledge at all.

Just some things to think about

(1) You will need to practice. I do about 15 mins in the morning before work and 30 mins at the weekend. You need to find a time slot that will suit you.

(2) Chose your teacher carefully. I found my singing teacher quickly (she was the first person I went to). Flute teacher took ages. I had trial lessons with a number of people - some obviously had not taught an adult and floundered.

I looked on various tutor wesbsite and asked the local woodwind shops. If you have a small local piano shop ask them - they may well have a list of teacher.

(3) Finally, head over to the ABRSM boards - they have a forum for adult learners and one for piano players. Lots of inspiration.

I passed Grade 1, with distinction at age 40 whilst recovering from chemotherapy. Did it as therapy & worked a treat.

When I went for my exam I was in a room of 10-yr olds! One girl asked if I was doing Grade 8? Never too old to learn!

SoftKitty we pay £15 for half an hour for ds' lessons.

You can pay as much or as little as you want for a piano. A reasonable upright would cost around £1000, perhaps less if you search around. We paid £1500 for one, but it was destroyed in a flood, so we bought a digital one for around the same price. Some pianos cost thousands, but you don't need to pay all that.

If you're struggling to afford very much, then look in the classifieds or gumtree etc. and you'll get one much cheaper. We used to pay around £50 for tuning each year. Some people give them away for free and you just pay removal costs. You might be lucky and find a reasonable one this way, but most will just be dogs that you'll want to avoid.

If you find one, Google the make and manufacturer to find out if there's likely to be any inherent problems. Some are just rubbish.

Digital ones are good because they take up less room and don't need tuning or maintenance. Get a one with pressure responsive keys - the harder you strike, the louder the note. You'll also need pedals. Again, look for second hand if money is on the tight side.

You can easily teach yourself to begin with by getting some beginners books. These books will also introduce you to basic theory as well. YouTube has useful tutorials.

YANBU - there is a small orchestra in my town and the only criteria for being in it is that you have to have started to learn your instrument once you had reached retirement age. They are very good.

True story.

Thanks hiddenhome

I started lessons at 30.
At first I was so keen and practised lots and loved it. As it got harder, I found it less enjoyable. My progress really slowed and I found I wasn't enjoying the practice, so after about 10 months I stopped, because I thought to myself 'I'm an adult and I don't have to do this'and I have never played again.

However,mI had always wanted to have a go and im so glad I did. The fact I only did it for a short while didn't matter - I had had a go.

So yes, do it! You may play for many years or not long at all.....and it doesn't matter.

I'm considering learning a second instrument - you've all inspired me!

I love my piano.

I'm learning with Alfred too ;-) on a digital piano so I can shut out noise/not wake people up. Very relaxing and rewarding.