Piano teachers know that you are never too old to learn to play the piano. Adults ask them about taking lessons all the time. It is often one of the most frequent questions asked of any piano teacher. Adults either want to complete lessons begun when they were children, or they want to start lessons because they never could. There is something magical about playing the piano that makes it a secret dream of lots of people. Here is what piano teachers will tell you about it.
The big problem with placing age limits on learning is that the limits are not the same for everyone. In the past, classical piano training required students to start at 5 years old. If a student could not keep up with the traditional regimen of finger exercises or was unable to read the notes well, they might have been called less than talented. In the general public, it was often thought that only the gifted were destined to be musical.
Potential private piano students are those who are learning to read and write or who already have those skills. Why? Because music is simply another language. Learning to read and write it is a very similar process to acquiring a new language. Older students can often apply their language learning skills to learning music. This widens the acceptable starting ages for pianists to as young as 2 or 3 to as old as 11 to 75. The point is that you can start at almost any age.
Kids in late elementary or middle school who are very interested in their piano studies will very often learn quite quickly. It is not uncommon for them to take a year learning what very young primary students can only learn in two or three years. Because studying piano is a physical activity, students successful in sports sometimes also excel in keyboard skills.
For older grade students and adults, finding time to practice is one of the biggest challenges. School and work obligations frequently take up much of the weekly schedule, making it difficult to keep up with lesson assignments. But motivation to acquire piano technique and play piano pieces can help learners to work around schedule problems.
The best way to think about your musical studies is to consider piano playing a sport. It actually requires repetitions just as any athlete would do. The only difference is that those repetitions use small muscles with very intricate motions, while other sports generally use large muscles.
Students who are struggling in other areas of their lives may find studying piano makes them unique. Often, they discover that other students are surprised at their abilities and are drawn to them. Friendships can develop around the piano that were not possible in other activities. Older adults find pleasure in playing songs from long ago with their companions.
When your teenager, or high school kid tells you they would like to try piano, let them. They are never too old to learn to play if they are interested. Do not discourage older adults either. They get the same joy from learning as anyone else. Once their decision to try has been announced, be supportive. Applaud any progress, and enjoy their success. Piano music brings happiness, and age should not be a barrier to it.
The big problem with placing age limits on learning is that the limits are not the same for everyone. In the past, classical piano training required students to start at 5 years old. If a student could not keep up with the traditional regimen of finger exercises or was unable to read the notes well, they might have been called less than talented. In the general public, it was often thought that only the gifted were destined to be musical.
Potential private piano students are those who are learning to read and write or who already have those skills. Why? Because music is simply another language. Learning to read and write it is a very similar process to acquiring a new language. Older students can often apply their language learning skills to learning music. This widens the acceptable starting ages for pianists to as young as 2 or 3 to as old as 11 to 75. The point is that you can start at almost any age.
Kids in late elementary or middle school who are very interested in their piano studies will very often learn quite quickly. It is not uncommon for them to take a year learning what very young primary students can only learn in two or three years. Because studying piano is a physical activity, students successful in sports sometimes also excel in keyboard skills.
For older grade students and adults, finding time to practice is one of the biggest challenges. School and work obligations frequently take up much of the weekly schedule, making it difficult to keep up with lesson assignments. But motivation to acquire piano technique and play piano pieces can help learners to work around schedule problems.
The best way to think about your musical studies is to consider piano playing a sport. It actually requires repetitions just as any athlete would do. The only difference is that those repetitions use small muscles with very intricate motions, while other sports generally use large muscles.
Students who are struggling in other areas of their lives may find studying piano makes them unique. Often, they discover that other students are surprised at their abilities and are drawn to them. Friendships can develop around the piano that were not possible in other activities. Older adults find pleasure in playing songs from long ago with their companions.
When your teenager, or high school kid tells you they would like to try piano, let them. They are never too old to learn to play if they are interested. Do not discourage older adults either. They get the same joy from learning as anyone else. Once their decision to try has been announced, be supportive. Applaud any progress, and enjoy their success. Piano music brings happiness, and age should not be a barrier to it.
About the Author:
Merriam School Of Music 75-3175 Rutherford Rd, Vaughan, ON L4K 5Y6 (905) 829-4489 http://www.merriammusic.com/ Music school and piano store in the Greater Toronto Area. Offers piano lessons for children and adults. Also sells instruments, music and related products. Visit our Vaughan location!
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