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Original poster

Anyone learned piano as an adult?

44 replies

LoobyLou1976 · 09/03/2020 22:27

Hi all
Thinking of looking for piano lessons. I'm 43!
I played trombone as a child (only up to grade 3) and a little bit of keyboard (self taught) so can read basic music, although I have forgotten most of it. I am fairly musical and enjoy singing.
Has anyone taken up piano as an adult? Did you find you made improvements quickly? Was it necessary to have a piano at home to practise or can you get away with a decent keyboard?
Looking for all opinions! Many thanks.

OP posts:
UncleHerbie · 09/03/2020 22:31

My husband began piano lessons many years ago, having been bought a piano for his 40th. He stopped when his late wife was poorly and took it up again four years ago (one lesson a week during term time). He doesn't practise as much as he's should but loves it

newroundhere · 09/03/2020 22:35

Following with interest - my ambition is to have a piano and learn to play! I am early 40s but am yet to have the space for an actual piano...

Boom45 · 09/03/2020 22:36

I've not learned as an adult exactly, I learned as a kid but am having lessons again now.
Finding time to practice is difficult and practice very necessary. I find improvement can be slow going at time then something clicks and I suddenly start finding the stuff I'm doing gets easier (but is wasnt starting from scratch so as a beginner with musical experience you will probably get better quickly).You don't necessarily need a piano, but if its am electric piano/keyboard it needs to be a good, touch sensitive one. Its lovely to be able to play tho, worth the effort I think

YeahWhatevver · 09/03/2020 22:36

We bought a 2nd hand digital piano on gumtree for 90 and DH taught himself to play using YouTube and an App.

He is very musical though, played the guitar for years, expect having some sort of musical experience helps.

I'd say he played at least 20 minutes a day every day, sometimes an hour or two if he had the time. He's been playing piano for 2 years now

Norugratsatall · 09/03/2020 22:46

Yes I did. Self taught aged 40. Then enrolled on a music Access course and followed that up with a Bmus degree and five years later with a Master's in music.

FanSpamTastic · 09/03/2020 22:57

I started at 29 and did my grade 1 at 30. Was so nervous!

MereDintofPandiculation · 09/03/2020 23:14

You need a piano even if digital. You won't be able to manage on a keyboard. You need the full range of keys (7 and a bit octaves) and dynamic keys, that play loud or soft depending on how hard you hit them.
I've seen lots of piano teachers advertise as willing to accept adult learners so it must be relatively common.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 09/03/2020 23:19

Yes,early 40s. I have a digital piano at home.

JustOneMoreStep · 09/03/2020 23:21

I teach piano to both adults and children. You absolutely can learn to play as an adult but I suggest that you go into it with a clear idea of what you want to achieve from it and then discuss that from the outset with a potential teacher. If I am teaching a child I always assume an educational model with a goal of 'concert pianist' usually following the grades system as this is often what parents expect, and children are used to the educational model, we dont know what they might to choose to study going forward so it is about maximising potential. As an adult, it's perfectly possible that this isn't the best route for you, you might prefer to be able to play for your own enjoyment/stress relief etc which is just as valid but means that you dont need to be so accurate and following of the rules. Of course a combination of the two is possible.

Piano v keyboard is a very personal choice. Personally I prefer a piano but I know of other tutors that work exclusively with electronic pianos. A piano does require some maintenance with tuning etc though so I often recommend a decent electric piano as a compromise for people who need less maintenance or the ability of volume control/headphones or even for space needs. Just make sure that it is full sized, weighted and touch responsive and it will be perfectly adequate for your purposes.....you can always sell it later on if you take to the piano and want a 'proper one' further down the line.

Go for it, dont expect miracles but enjoy the process. Good luck

AutumnRose1 · 09/03/2020 23:23

I am 44 and thinking of this too so I’m watching with interest.

I have zero knowledge of music, I mean have t learned anything at all. On another thread, someone said learning piano from that point would be incredibly hard? I’m not sure about forking out for lessons.

Soph7777 · 09/03/2020 23:32

Yes got to grade three in eighteen months. Then quit as work got in the way.
If you have time to practice for at least 20 mins a day I say go for it!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 09/03/2020 23:33

I learnt with no knowledge of music, I've got on ok.

Emmelina · 09/03/2020 23:33

The kids are learning. We don’t really have space for a full piano either, but found a pretty decent digital piano (essentially a fancy keyboard with weighted keys so it ‘feels’ like a piano). It’s called a GoPiano, made by Roland. Any big music shop will stock them if you wanted to try.
I played a little when younger, I intend to try again soon!

AutumnRose1 · 09/03/2020 23:37

MrsP, thank you.

CherryPavlova · 09/03/2020 23:37

I started as a 40th birthday present. I always wanted to so my husband bought me a piano and arranged tuition. I’ll never play Carnegie Hall but I can hold my own on Christmas Carols. I don’t do grades and play just for pleasure but around grade six now.

IPityThePontipines · 09/03/2020 23:39

Do it.

My dad started learning the piano at 40. My mum huffed and puffed a bit about what was the point of him doing that.

He's nearly 72 now and has been happily playing the piano for over 30 years.

milveycrohn · 09/03/2020 23:40

I started learning when I was about 25. I had a very good teacher, who himself had 2 grand pianos in his house.
I had an old piano at home to practise.
I passed the theory test easily, but the practical no.
(worse moment was going to a school for the exam, and realising I was the only adult there!)
I was up to about Grade 5 standard in lessons (practical), and took the Grade 4 exam (twice, I think), but did not pass.
At primary school I had played recorder, so the right hand on the piano came easily to me, but the left hand not so much.
I failed the exams because I just got so nervous.
I gave up having lessons when I had my children, but some years later bought a 'mini' piano, secondhand.
Sadly, I soon realised, although it went in the house better, you really need to have the full octaves, not the cut down version.
I dont play now, but enjoyed it at the time

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 09/03/2020 23:49

I don't don't take exams,I learn for me and there's no need and I don't want to put pressure on myself.

SuburbanFraggle · 10/03/2020 00:04

I've seen an advert for a digital piano which has a video screen of where to put your fingers. Has that worked for anyone?

Emmelina · 10/03/2020 00:09

I’ve not seen one with a video screen built in, but a lot of stands are designed to take a tablet/ipad and there are plenty of apps that can teach you where to place your fingers.

MusicTeacherSussex · 10/03/2020 00:17

I happily teach piano to adults of all ages. If the desire is there then you can definitely do it and it often creates some "you time" that becomes quite precious.

Please give it a go! I'd say get a proper weighted keyboard piano though as keyboard keyboards have bad keys and you wont get proper articulation which is important for piano practise. Good luck and let us know how you get on!

MrsBennetsnerves · 10/03/2020 01:35

Not a pianist but I started learning to play a musical instrument at 50 +. It's a big part of my life now. It's not too late to enjoy it and it's so satisfying when you notice improvement.

SarahHackey91 · 10/03/2020 01:40

I started learning a few years ago in my late 20s. I had a chance to learn it when I was young but my little brother picked it up first and I was embarrassed to look like I was copying him which is silly now thinking about it. It's never too late to learn and any piano teacher is more than eager to teach. Just get a cheap electronic one to practice on at home.

MrsSiba · 10/03/2020 01:46

IPityThePontipines I love that your dad fulfilled his dream, even if your mum had a typical reaction to him starting so late 😀

Loved reading this thread. I have always wanted to play the piano and keep it in my head as something to do when I retire (in 25 years!!!) But would be lovely if I could do it sooner. Plus I have nowhere to keep a piano

RedRed9 · 10/03/2020 01:49

Yes! I took my grade 1 as an adult and sat in the waiting room with lots of young children waiting to take theirs.

Definitely have lessons to keep you on track.

You can get away with a keyboard for the first year or so if it has good weighted keys. If you can use your teacher’s piano once a week that will also help.