No. You can learn piano at any age. Adults often have advantages: you know the music you enjoy, you spot patterns that a child might miss, and you’re learning because you chose to. You don’t need special talent or hours of daily practice. Regular short sessions and a way of learning you enjoy matter far more.
Why adults can learn piano very well
One of the reasons I created Pianoforall specifically for adults is that I don’t think adults need to learn the same way as children.
Adults are very good at recognising patterns. If I show you three chords and then show you how those same chords appear in lots of different songs, that makes sense. If I teach you a rhythm pattern that works with hundreds of songs, you’re learning something you can use again and again.
And because you already know what music sounds like, you have years of listening experience to draw on, even if you’ve never played an instrument.
How Pianoforall works
My motto with Pianoforall is “Play first, ask questions later.” Most traditional methods begin with reading music and theory. Pianoforall does it the other way round.
You start with some simple chord shapes and rhythms and begin making music almost immediately. Reading and theory are introduced gradually. The lessons are short and carefully structured, with each new exercise adding something to what you already know. You can repeat lessons as often as you need and learn entirely at your own pace. That’s one of the great advantages of learning online.
I’ve included some simple mindfulness ideas too: relaxing your shoulders, noticing tension, taking a moment before trying something again. I think being relaxed makes learning much more enjoyable. More on how the method works.
What about the brain? Are we too old to learn new things?
Our brains keep changing and learning throughout life. It may take a little longer to learn some things as we get older, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn them.
For piano, regular practice is much more important than marathon sessions. Your brain and your hands need time to become familiar with new movements and patterns. Something that feels impossible today can feel surprisingly easy a few days later. That’s one of the nicest things about learning piano.
How quickly will I progress?
I don’t like making promises such as “You’ll be playing piano in three weeks.” Everyone is different. But with Pianoforall you will be playing from the beginning.
You start with simple chords and rhythm patterns. As they become comfortable, each new exercise adds another skill. Gradually the chords and patterns become familiar, your hands relax, and you can do more without thinking about every movement. That’s how progress happens. Typical timelines for adult learners.
Can older beginners learn classical piano?
Absolutely. Classical music can look intimidating because there can be hundreds of notes on the page. But many classical pieces are built around chords and repeating patterns. Once you recognise those, there’s often much less to remember than you might think.
That’s the idea behind my Classics By Ear courses. I use videos, keyboard diagrams, cheat sheets and written music to teach each piece in small sections:
- Beethoven, Moonlight Sonata: the first movement has repeating patterns throughout, which suits this approach well.
- Erik Satie, Gnossiennes: beautiful pieces with relatively simple underlying chords and patterns.
- Bach Preludes: understanding the patterns and chords makes these much easier to remember.
How much should you practise?
You don’t need to practise for hours. Fifteen or twenty minutes regularly is much better than one long session every week.
If something is difficult, don’t keep playing the whole piece from beginning to end. Take the small section that’s causing the problem and slow it right down. Once that’s comfortable, add the next little section.
And pay attention to tension. If your hands, arms or shoulders tighten, stop for a moment and relax them before starting again. Give yourself time. Your hands are learning movements they’ve probably never made before. A simple 20-minute practice routine.
What older Pianoforall students say
I’ve taught thousands of older students over the years, including many who started after retirement. Here are a few of their comments:
Enjoying learning the piano like I’ve never – bless you for your insight into teaching – it works!! Please accept my highest respect for possibly the best tutorial of all time – I am 74 and have seen a few. You have made me a happy slave to my keyboard and sound!
As a 63 year old man I find it entertaining, educational and easily understood. I especially like the bite size lessons that doesn’t overwhelm the student (me). … a sense of accomplishment is immediate and inspires one to continue.
Who would ever thought at age 60 that I could learn to play the piano. Your instructions make it fun and challenging to practice practice so you can move to the next lesson. … I am showing up my grandkids who never would dream I could do this.
Are there other benefits to learning piano later in life?
For me, the best reason to learn piano is simply that you want to play music.
But learning an instrument also involves concentration, memory, listening and coordination. It gives you something interesting to work on, and the satisfaction of gradually getting better at something. Playing can be very relaxing too. You have to give the music your attention, so for a while you’re not thinking about everything else going on in your life.
I wouldn’t make grand claims about piano preventing ageing or transforming your brain. It’s enough that learning something new, making music and enjoying yourself are all very worthwhile things to do.
Common questions
I’m a complete beginner. Does my age make any difference?
No. Pianoforall starts right at the beginning, so you don’t need any previous musical experience.
Do I need to read music?
Not to begin with. You start by listening, watching and playing, and reading music is introduced gradually as you progress. It’s like learning a language as a child: we learn to speak before we learn to read and write.
My hands are stiff. Will that be a problem?
Not necessarily. Pianoforall begins with fairly simple chord shapes and movements, and there’s no need to force your hands into uncomfortable positions. If something hurts, stop rather than playing through it.
I had lessons years ago and gave up. Will that help?
Probably. You may be surprised by how much comes back to you. Even if you’ve forgotten everything, you can start again from the beginning.
Do I need a full-size piano?
No. A keyboard with 61 full-size, touch-sensitive keys is enough to get started. A sustain pedal is also recommended.
Can I really learn classical music by ear?
Yes. That’s how the Classics By Ear courses work: you learn small sections by listening, watching and playing, with the written music there to help as you progress.