Sometimes kids get thrown at an instrument, but it just doesn’t stick. When I played percussion in the school band, I quit as fast as I’d started. I wanted a real drum set. Years later, I made the choice to revisit drums. The experiences felt worlds apart. Being much older, I could make the choice to be creative and play music I loved. I didn’t have to play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” anymore. I could play songs by Big Star. In the same way, when revisiting piano decades after childhood, there are many ways to make it a much more enjoyable.
You’ve Got a Foundation
With experience under the belt, adults returning to the piano have some understanding of the instrument. It’s like riding a bike. Get comfortable with it again. Then, learn to cruise. Start to roll with your piano again now. Even better, take advantage of the freedom to learn whatever you want whenever you want.
Define one big goal. Why return to the piano? If it’s to start an Elton John cover band, then start learning the hits on piano. If the goal is to expand creative output, then learn some music theory and practice improvisation. Create that big goal, break it into smaller mile markers, and get to learning.
Today’s piano players can find many fun learning opportunities online. If you love Nirvana, learn that on piano. If you love Chopin, a lesson is available for free on YouTube too. That isn’t the only benefit of learning as an adult. Learn about others here. My favorite benefit of returning to the piano today is the gear. Get a piano to give you all the features you need and none that you don’t.
Find Keys That Fit
Purchasing a piano is like buying a car. You connect with a look, a sound, or an experience. There are economical workhorses like the GO:PIANO by Roland. Get a little more spunk with the expanded soundscapes on the GO:KEYS. Options range all the way up to performance models and luxury status pianos too. Use tools like YouTube to see video demos, buyer’s guides, and performance videos. Do some research. Ensure a new piano both inspires you and moves you towards your goals.
"Create goals and use digital tools to check progress. This will keep any player at the piano bench for years to come."
Tech Makes Piano Easy
Technology enables any pianist to learn more quickly and conveniently than ever before. If there isn’t time to work with an in-person teacher, don’t sweat it. As shown above, YouTube is a great free resource. Some channels offer more learning and entertainment on paid websites too.
Just like with in-person instruction, remember to find an educator or channel that you click with. Consider both the quality of the content and the personality of the presenter. If they pass the vibe check, dig deeper into their material. There’s a good chance that other material from them will keep you returning to the piano day after day.
"It’s like riding a bike. Get comfortable with it again. Then, learn to cruise."
Learning online gives players an opportunity to take a break when needed too. Kids often stop piano lessons because it feels like a burden. They lose the thrill of the instrument. Keep the spark lit by taking a break when needed. Technology allows you to come back to the instrument after a week or two off. Pick right back up where you left off. And if you need to go a new direction, another lesson video is only a click away. Video lessons aren’t the only tech-based learning option, though. If you need something more interactive, try an app!
The Perfect Partner
Brands like Roland offer learning apps for smartphones and tablets. These programs give pianists an interactive educational experience. Piano Every Day pairs education and enjoyment in one place. It’s a smart choice for any adult returning to piano today.
Piano Every Day packs a lot of features into a single app. Learn and practice songs using the piano’s onboard music or by downloading sheet for almost any song directly through the app. Track your practice and use the app’s metrics to set goals too. Beyond the features here, Roland apps also offer another function critical to adult learning.
"The older we get, the more we need goals to drive learning."
Journal Throughout the Journey
The older we get, the more we need goals to drive learning. Use Piano Every Day to help shape and reach goals. The app automatically records performances, giving you audio to review any time, anywhere. Set a goal to learn a favorite tune, like an entire Billy Joel song. Learn the song section by section. Continue to get comfortable with the song for another month. Listen to the differences between the first recording and the newest one.
It’s surprising just how much more fluid and controlled playing sounds with continued practice. Enjoy the sense of accomplishment. Continue to create goals and use digital tools to check your progress. It’ll keep any player at the piano bench for years to come.
"Returning to the piano feels so much better as an adult. You get the freedom to learn what you want when you want."
Returning to the piano is a great decision. You have the freedom to learn what you want when you want. And with a bit of experience already on the instrument, it’s less daunting to return to it. Do some research and find a piano or keyboard that will inspire you to play. Use technology to make learning easy. Leverage tech to keep you enthused too. If you put the tips above into practice, then it’ll make the new journey into musicianship much more rewarding than when you were younger. It’ll make it a heck of a lot more fun too.
