For years, adults have this wrong misconception that kids have an easier time learning music than them. Therefore, a lot of adults stopped pursuing their passions, including playing the piano. Many adult beginners are usually afraid to start with such endeavor because they don’t want to make a fool out of themselves.
But the truth is that you can actually push yourself just as hard as a child can. This means that it is not yet too late for you learn to play a piano at 40 or even beyond. Here are a few ways for you to improve your learning progress and overall experience.
Don’t Learn on Your Own
Learning how to play a piano at 40 involves some complex motor and intellectual abilities and there is always the tendency to form bad habits and go astray. Thus, it is much better to establish a solid and strong foundation with the help of a teacher.
A professional teacher can teach you how you should learn and practice new music yourself. More advanced players might arrive at a point when they can teach themselves. However, even when this is the case, everyone can benefit from studying with a teacher by their side that can give them feedback or know things they don’t.
Rent or Buy the Best Instrument That Suits Your Budget
You should at least buy or rent an acoustic piano that functions properly and that you can tune once or twice every year. A piano with pedal is also a good option like the beginner friendly Yamaha P45 digital piano.
Practice Your Piano Skills as Many Days as You Can
Even when you only have several spare minutes to play the keyboard, this is much better than trying to cram all of your practice time in just one or two days per week. Having said this, there is also nothing wrong with taking a day off once every week or from time to time whenever you feel like it. In fact, it can even benefit your learning progress.
Play Duets
You can request your teacher to play duet music with you or music for four hands and two pianists. Duets can be very fun and it will make you become a better piano player when you play side by side with the teacher or a more advanced musician than you.
Work on the Type of Music You Love
If you are using a method book to learn to play a piano at 40 just like other beginners, you might find yourself practicing a piece you don’t really like that much. Never skip over these pieces but try to ask your teacher if it is also possible to work on pieces you enjoy and like more.
Grow Your Appreciation for Music
Ask for listening suggestions from your teacher to improve your enjoyment and knowledge of different styles, players, and composers. This will serve as your motivation to keep going. It might also take you to new directions in the field of music.
You see, you can still learn to play a piano at 40. All it takes is a bit effort and you will be good to go.
