Learning Piano as an Adult: My Honest (and Slightly Painful) Journey

So, You Wanna Learn Piano Later in Life? Buckle Up!

Okay, so I always wanted to play piano. Like, *always*. I remember watching my cousin crush Chopin when I was little, and I was just mesmerized. But life happened, you know? School, then work, then…well, more work. Suddenly, I was staring down the barrel of my 30s and realizing I’d never actually done it. So, I decided to take the plunge. I bought a keyboard (a cheap one, just in case I sucked), downloaded some apps, and started plunking away.

Honestly, the first few weeks were brutal. My fingers felt clumsy, I couldn’t read the notes worth a darn, and my coordination was…questionable, to say the least. I’d try to play a simple scale, and it sounded more like a cat walking across the keys. Ugh, what a mess! There were moments where I was seriously tempted to just pack it in and sell the keyboard on Craigslist. I even had the listing drafted! But something kept me going. Maybe it was sheer stubbornness, maybe it was the memory of my cousin’s effortless Chopin, I don’t know.

The funny thing is, the apps weren’t really working for me. They were too gamified, too focused on speed and accuracy. I needed something more…human.

Finding the Right Teacher (and Avoiding Hand Injuries)

I spent weeks trying to figure out the best approach. Should I use YouTube tutorials? Online courses? Or, gulp, an actual teacher? YouTube was overwhelming; there was just too much information, and I didn’t know where to start. Online courses felt…distant. I needed someone to correct my posture before I developed carpal tunnel, you know? I ended up finding a local teacher who specialized in adult beginners. She was amazing. Patient, encouraging, and brutally honest about my terrible hand position.

See, that’s the thing about learning an instrument as an adult. You’re not a kid anymore. You have ingrained habits, aches and pains you never knew existed, and a whole lot of self-doubt. My teacher helped me overcome all of that. She started me with the basics: proper posture, finger exercises, and simple melodies. It was slow going, but I could feel myself improving, even if it was just a tiny bit each week.

And the hand injuries? Yeah, those were real. I overdid it early on, practicing for hours without proper breaks. My wrists were screaming! Lesson learned: pacing yourself is key. Who knew learning piano could be so physically demanding?

The Eureka Moment (and a Bit of Embarrassment)

There was this one particular piece I was struggling with – a simple waltz. I just couldn’t get the rhythm right. I’d practice it over and over, but it always sounded clunky and awkward. I was about to throw my hands up in frustration when my teacher suggested something radical: “Stop thinking about it. Just feel the music.”

Easier said than done, right? But I tried it. I closed my eyes, imagined myself dancing to the waltz, and just let my fingers flow. And suddenly, it clicked. The rhythm fell into place, the melody became smoother, and the piece actually sounded…musical! It wasn’t perfect, by any means, but it was a breakthrough. I had an actual “aha!” moment.

Embarrassingly, I started tearing up! I hadn’t realised how tense I’d been, trying to force it. My teacher just smiled knowingly. It was one of those moments where I felt like I was truly connecting with the music. A feeling I’d been chasing since I first saw my cousin play.

I remember going home and just playing that waltz over and over, feeling so proud of myself. I messed it up, I forgot bits, but I kept going.

Was it Worth It? Absolutely. (But Be Prepared)

So, is learning piano as an adult hard? Yeah, it is. It requires patience, dedication, and a willingness to embrace the inevitable awkwardness. There will be days when you feel like you’re making no progress at all. There will be times when you want to quit. Trust me, I’ve been there. I considered giving up so many times. I even looked at pottery classes as a less frustrating hobby!

But I’m so glad I didn’t. Because the joy of finally being able to play a piece of music, of expressing yourself through the keys, is unlike anything else. It’s a challenge, sure, but a rewarding one. If you’re as curious as I was, you might want to dig into different learning techniques and resources to see what fits you best.

So, if you’re thinking about learning piano as an adult, go for it! But be prepared for the journey. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. And maybe invest in some wrist supports. You’ll thank me later.