Why You Really Are Never Too Old To Learn To Play The Piano

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.

Since the time around 1960, however, music teachers began to study early childhood development as it related to musical development. It has been discovered that most anyone has the ability to play piano, or be musical in some way. The reality is that children develop certain skills at certain times. Their physical development depends on many things, such as how well their nervous system is developed. Now it is known that it may be better to start formal private piano lessons beginning anywhere between the ages of 7 to 11. And, there are special music training programs that focus on younger children ages 2 to 6. When you add adult beginner programs to the mix, it becomes pretty clear that you can be very young and very old to learn piano skills.

Experienced teachers will actually plan a piano learning program that is tailored to the age and maturity of the student. There are many, many well written course books that are available now. You do not need to begin at 5, nor is it a problem if life made you wait until 75. Find a good teacher that has taught many ages and used many course books, and you have a great chance to succeed regardless of your age.

Finding time to practice can be another factor to consider. If you are a working adult, you may feel challenged to find time to practice. Adult responsibilities often collide with wishes to play. It is not that there is no desire, it is that there may not be enough time available on any given day.

Helping an older student learn can be as easy as modeling good time management habits. Setting up an area to store piano music, theory workbooks, manuscript paper, pencils and erasers, and a lesson assignment notebook are the first step. Make sure your piano has good light so eyes do not become strained. Try different practice times over the course of one week, and choose what works best for everyone in the family. Stick to the routine until it becomes normal.

Scheduling practice time is essential. Many older students actually block out regular times in their appointment calendars to make certain that nothing else interferes. Develop a routine that works and stick to it.

Desiring to take up lessons can surface when your children or grandchildren start their studies. This can be a springboard to creating shared learning experiences that last a lifetime. It really is true that you are never too old to learn to play the piano.

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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