How Long Does it REALLY Take to Learn Piano As An Adult?

Are you an adult aspiring to learn piano but wondering how long it will take? In this video, we explore different learning paths and reveal the most effective approach to accelerate your piano journey. Join us as we uncover the truth and debunk common myths about adult piano learning.
We cover how traditional private piano lessons and self-teaching through KZbin may not provide the optimal results you desire. Discover the limitations of these methods and the challenges they present. But fear not! Towards the end of the video, we will share an approach that can fast-track your learning. There’s still hope! Ready to embark on your piano learning journey? Don't miss this video as we guide you toward the most effective path to achieve your musical goals. Hit the play button now and let's dive in together!
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How Long Does it REALLY Take to Learn Piano As An Adult?: • How Long Does it REALL...
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[@TheSpanishInquisition87]

No matter when you start, learning an instrument takes the rest of your life.

[@jamesvanderbilt201]

you could say that about literally anything

[@ronald3836]

@@jamesvanderbilt201 Learning the alphabet can be done in less than a lifetime ;-)

[@jamesvanderbilt201]

@@ronald3836 a more appropriate comparison would be learning a language

[@ronald3836]

@@jamesvanderbilt201 literally anything is literally anything, though ;-)

[@LucaShephard-rw2cr]

@@jamesvanderbilt201I don’t have to learn English I already know everything I can just listen to it now and know any unknown words by context Or sometimes I’ll have to Google it but I can always pronounce it immediately no matter what

[@ReadABookAndLearn]

I’m 42 years old. Started piano as a total beginner about 14 months ago with a personal teacher who I met when she was playing at a local restaurant. By the end of my first day I was playing Imagine by John Lennon. I play and practice every single day and I can’t believe how far I’ve come in just over a year. Sure, I wish I started when I was younger. But I can’t turn back time so here I am.

[@ThePeej]

I’m 42 & my dream is to be able to sit down at a piano to play & sing Christmas songs when we visit my in-laws. Thanks for sharing!

[@joeybegoode9067]

I’m 41 and was lucky enough to start playing as a kid and I’m a teacher now. This is so great to hear. An adult can progress far in the first year if they practice consistently and properly. While there are advantages to starting as a kid, an adult understands the value of practice and how it works overall much better than a kid, in my opinion. I too advise lead sheets since there’s less reading. And some kind of finger drill with the metronome for timing.

[@cazfloss1990]

@@ThePeejThat’s why I started. I’m 47 and have been learning for 5 months. Really enjoying learning Xmas songs.

[@realfamilyman]

That could be a testament to your aptitude... or a testament to how simplistic, monotonous, and repetitive pot-head hippy songs are.

[@NPC123UH]

Ok Cher

[@lovepiano4616]

I started learning piano from scratch at the age of 50. I took one on one private 1 hour lesson each week. My teacher taught me techniques, sight reading, songs, music theory, etc. I love classical piano music and have learned lots of songs. I have passed California Certificate of Merit Level 6 test with State Honor after two years of learning. Now I'm 55 and preparing for level 8 (early advanced level) Test in a few months. I need to play 4 memorized songs, sight reading, techniques, and music theory. My teacher said I'm the fastest learner among all of her students. So age should not be an obstacle if you have the will.

[@robbgregorrichard1009]

Wow, indeed, you are fast! I have been learning for 4.5 years and I am not at equal level in the areas you have mentioned. At the moment, the highest level I can perform is Grade 7 and my weakest area is in sightreading (around grade 2-3). Music Theory around grade 5. That's why my teacher have me take the grade 5 piano exam, so that I can feel comfortable, even more so that I tend to have debilitating performance anxiety. As you said, age is a number. I have started with an online program catered for children that mixed the two mentioned methods, which helps a lot for independent learning and targeted practice. As I stayed with classical music, I eventually got a teacher and my time learning with this program helped me build good habits and reach out for help when needed. Totally agree, age is a number. When I took the online course, I have seen children struggling very much, giving up... or refusing to comply because they didn't like the songs. Some were very fast, others slower. Some were struggling with anxiety, others easily retreated to their world when performing. Children are not so different from adults, even in terms of speed, retention and self esteem.

[@Nick-ui9dr]

Bro only problem with adult learning is sometimes your fingers go broke before your will. 😅 And there's lot of reason for that... Cause your mind is already to mature to understand notes since u being listening to music so long but health is on contrary side. Your fingers won't take as much abuse as a child's or young man can. So u have to be extra cautious about going too strong or too fast a pace. That will only hurt your hand. And no matter what technique or what not anybody says... It's only repetitive physical practice that can enable you master a instrument. Techniques they talk about will come naturally to u as u try go faster or smooth cause u won't be able to do it otherwise. And it's always personel cause everybody hand build differently or has different finger shapes and sizes. What works for one doesn't necessarily means will work for everybody I guess. Especially as u go for higher tempos. Anyway here's a song I am currently trying learn but isn't anywhere near it. I mean the interlude parts. Lyrics of course too slow but not the music inbetween especially some part of interludes. Let's see if yours 5+ yrs of training or those whatever levels can handle it. 😊 Has off to u in advance if u can. Guess it's around 120bpm but for specific interlude art u wud have to be as efficient as 4 notes per beat ..so if u can tackle 4 notes at 120 u can get away with it I guess. Personally I am struck around say 80 I guess. 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmTNhGqmgdOLn9Usi=mwPJhpBGtjVZIm9u

[@Nick-ui9dr]

And tell u what I have destroyed my right hand in the very first few months of learning keyboard. I mean it got trigger finger problem and now I can't close my left hand first fully for last 2 yrs or so. Why I think adults especially above 50-55 should take caution on going overboard just on will alone. 😊 Otherwise arthritis will hit lot before it should actually 😅😅😅

[@realdealastrology9]

I’ll beat ya!!

[@ritasrikanth8045]

​@@robbgregorrichard1009 Would you be kind enough to share the details of the online course?

[@lshwadchuck5643]

Wise advice for most adults. I agree that learning the chords (usually there are only a few) of a beloved song and then reading just the melody line is the fastest way to play a few songs. I started at age 66 and used the Alfred's Adult course along with Hanon scales and Czerny exercises. And I memorized a handful of favourite pop songs. After two years what I was missing was natural rhythm, keyboard fluency (the ability to play without looking at the keys) and quick reading. Yes, that shows I was impatient. I found a private coach who puts rhythm first via improvising on all 24 harmonic chords within manageable chunks of the keyboard. It builds a foundation of musicality so incrementally that you're never playing haltingly (the annoying hallmark of an adult beginner). But you don't get to play your favourite songs. In fact the first video of his I watched was "Stop Ruining your Favourite Music!" It's a radical, long path not for the faint of heart, but I'm incredibly amazed by my abilities now that I'm 72.

[@brandonfullarton-ward1250]

How did you have a problem after alfreds in terms of having to look at your hands? The book literally teachs you to read the music while playing the song. Not read it and looks at your hands

[@lshwadchuck5643]

@@brandonfullarton-ward1250 As I believe most self-teaching people do, I learned Alfred's pieces passage by passage, teaching my fingers the choreography - muscle memory using consistent fingerings. I was aware of note durations, but had no overall feeling for groove. Once I had a piece memorized that way, I could play it faster than I could keep up with it on the score. Gradually I'd be less clear about exactly where my fingers should be and make habitual mistakes. If I failed to practise daily, even that memory faded and I'd be back at square one. Now that my fingers know where they are on the keyboard, if I approach a new piece I vocalize the metre and mentally chunk the chords, then make sure I'm completely aware of where my fingers are relative to the score, not fingerings. So, it's more about understanding the score, driving it with the metre.

[@brandonfullarton-ward1250]

Oh because i do alfreds level 1 and i dont have to look at my hands. I just remember where the keys usually are so i can just look at the music sheet. But i guess its not that hard yet so maybe thats why? :) @@lshwadchuck5643​

[@realdealastrology9]

Whether you look at your hands and keys or not, what’s the difference if the song comes out great either way? If you don’t have rhythm, you have nothing.

[@tietsje]

As a classic educated pianist who has played over 40 years I can tell you this: you need to train your brain to seperate what you do with your right hand from your left. That's why you start out with Mary had a little lamb. Not because it's a great song, but because it's easy. Kids under 9 will pick up and reprogram their brain pretty fast, adults will, if ever, take a lot more time. So if you choose chords, your left hand will play in the same moments as your right hand and that's why starting off with chords for adults is more easy. But it will not teach you to play für Elise or the entertainer by Scot Joplin. This will take years, even for kids. What she does with Coldplay looks easy, but for some adults even that will be a bridge too far. if you enjoy playing along songs with chords, it's a fast way to get results, but it will not teach you to play the piano to a level that will make you play any music you enjoy, especially classical music will become very difficult, because your brain is not reprogrammed to seperate your left hand from your right hand in movement, melody, loudness and emotion

[@DeerMadeline]

Maybe it is the way music is taught... You are right, it takes some time to coordinate the hand movements, but it is doable. I self-taught myself and memorized how to play Für Elise in one weekend when I was 10, without ever having any classes, just a cheap keyboard and I am in no way a prodigy. I later took piano lessons and didn't advance fast at all. The difference? My teacher insisted that the only "real" way to play music was by reading the sheet and translating it onto the piano. How did I learn as a child then? I just took it as a game, I had fun. I memorized which keys to press in what order and with which hand and I just repeated it. I had fun hitting the keys and hearing the sound. Nowadays, after all the classical education I don't even wanna see a piano if it is not to improvise. Classical training killed my motivation and my joy and all I ever got from classical music were elitist teachers, who treated me like a machine, not as a person who enjoyed music. What I am trying to say is that music is something organic that should be enjoyed and people of all ages should give it a try and just have some fun, doing the best they can. It doesn't have to be perfect to feel good and to improve people's lives.

[@valterpsicofelicita9631]

@@DeerMadeline That's basically what I noticed as well. Teachers insisting on strict methods kill the enthusiasm in most beginners: it becomes a chore and not enjoyable at all. I understand it might be good if you want to become a very good musician... but it doesn't work for people who just want to play and enjoy themselves. OTOH, if you want to have fun and enjoy making music, a less serious and more hands-on fun approach is more likely to keep you going on. After all, most people will never become pro musicians... but they still can have loads of fun playing. :-)

[@Pekka.Pekka.1296]

@@valterpsicofelicita9631 I have a teacher (whon I pay) and I can say for a piece she recommends I don't like (because I pay). She totally understands my needs and we always have a simple but challenging popular piece together with Czerny and Mozart. Now I play Einaudi and Chopin and I enjoy it so much sometimes I can't stop practicing. A good teacher is the key: keeps the motivation high, gives feedback, corrects mistakes, teaches good technique and you have a joyful journey together along your music learning path.

[@rproctor83]

Yes, separating my left and right hand is very difficult. I have played classical guitar for years and recently got a piano. In guitar the left hand comes before the right and so it is proving difficult to play things in time. Usually my left hand is early and my right is late. Also, in guitar rhythm and accompaniment come from the right hand, but in piano a lot of it is played in the left, this is also very difficult for me. I need to do more YT research on this now that I'm thinking about it :)

[@Pekka.Pekka.1296]

@@rproctor83 Rather get a teachor. I tried yt-learning and I immediately improved after I've found a good teacher. Ahe could corrext my technique in a subtle but important way I was able to play much much better and learn faster as well.

[@crystalmontalbano9798]

I am not that interested in playing " songs" but I do like playing pieces by modern composers such as Einaudi, and classical and baroque composers. Bach is one of my favourites. I started playing age 69 and I play every day, I love it. I love the challenge of taking a piece which sounds amazing but impossible, breaking it down and learning it bit by bit, there's such a sense of achievement when you get there. I don't care how long it takes, I prefer quality over speed.

[@portley777]

You are absolutely correct. This confirms my own adult learning frustrations - the key is to make music and play music you like asap; that's what keeps you going and then onto the more disciplined advanced stuff. Thank you ;)

[@ronald3836]

But I like Rach 3...

[@Mr1998Brandonify]

33 years old and I bought a nice electric Yamaha piano two years. Decided to pick it back up again using KZbin. So far so good. Primarily I learned how to read sheet music and now it’s practicing strengthening my hands to play. Pretty straight forward stuff to learn like anything else but I am for trying something new that will accelerate my learning. Thank you for the info

[@huntarius-geraldo-giffarius]

If you you think it will take too long to learn a new skill you have 2 options: Don’t start, and the same amount of time will pass anyway with nothing to show for it, or start now knowing that future you will be glad you did.

[@SK-le4lj]

That's it!

[@BleaK1211]

I am an adult learner, about 5 months in. I have been taking private lessons. I see your point about "Marry Had a Little Lamb", however I think you can't run before you learn how to walk so I wanted to learn music in addition to piano so I can eventually just pick up any music and play it without any issue. A gradual progress from very easy to difficult with the help of a teacher makes more sense to me.

[@trickyfocus]

I started 3 years ago with "London Bridge is falling down" Im doing Beethoven now & Pink Floyd stick with it and it will all fall into place keep practicing & scales is a must

[@Genevieve8002]

I agree with you. If you want to learn well, I think it’s important to learn a good foundation of fundamentals. I’ve been learning for about 18 months now. I take weekly lessons, I’ve passed my grade 1, my teacher has taught me about sight reading, music theory, developing technique, reading music, playing classical pieces for my level - I’m enjoying my journey and my progress.

[@SarahDenizColeman]

Totally agree 👍🏻

[@pianoly]

Thanks for watching! Check out my FREE TRAINING (hosted by Kaitlyn Davidson) - HOW TO GO FROM STRUGGLING TO LEARN PIANO TO PLAYING YOUR FAVORITE SONGS (IN AS LITTLE AS A FEW MONTHS) WITHOUT OVERWHELM, CHILDREN'S MUSIC, AND UNNECESSARY MUSIC THEORY www.try.piano.ly/free-training

[@charlesdong9772]

❤

[@donwilds5433]

] )

[@robertakerman3570]

@@DavidZhou-g3d Sorry I don't know where to purchase the music. Try playing by ear until U find it.

[@robertakerman3570]

Dear Ms Davidson, ?Why did they label C Major as a "c"; alphabet begins with the letter "a"? Unless they were in love w/minor keys; i.e. relative minor of C Major is

[@Eric-Marsh]

I'm 70. I've taken a shot at the piano a few times in the past but never made it far. Now that I'm retired I have the time and the interest to make a more serious effort. I had a teacher for a little while. He quickly pushed me towards some simple composition and improvisation. I felt that was going too fast - I wasn't even hitting the keys correctly many times. Also, I do want to learn to read music so that I can work off the sheet. To a certain extent I have a type A personality and perhaps my eyes are bigger than my stomach, I would try to learn classical music that was too complex for me. But I have decided that rather than just trying to barge ahead I should slow down, focus on my weak points and create a solid foundation that I can build upon. So I've backed all the way to practicing scales and I just started the Hanon book. Doing this it's easy to see my progress and that gives me the satisfaction I need to stay with it. But there's another aspect to this too. Realistically, at my age I'm not very likely to master any complex works. Rather than setting myself up for failure I reevaluated my goals and decided that a good strategy is to simply spend time with the piano and have fun. Often the road itself is more important than the destination. I bought Logic Pro and have a Macbook Air with Logic Pro dedicated to music. I'm piping MIDI from my Roland FP30 to Logic and I'm leaning about the synths that are available. That is a major undertaking in itself but I think it's fun from a creative aspect. I had a friend in a local band ask me if I want to play with them. He gave me some rock music with a bunch of chords to play. Frankly I think that it's boring but I do spend a little time on that music too. I have learned the basic chords with inversions for a couple songs but would really be interested in playing something more complex than that. One example I'm tinkering with is the Door's Riders On The Storm. It has some nice piano work. I need better sheet music for that song though. I continue to evaluate what I'm having difficulty with and try to work on my weak points. I'm finding that a number of things simply require repetition to build muscle memory. That's OK, I have time. But I have found that I am doing better at going straight from the sheet to playing after a few readings. I think that's significant progress.

[@grassrootspiano]

I think the real beauty of learning piano and music is A journey that never stops. The longer you wanna learn the better you play and enjoyment Increases :-) best of luck to everyone

[@pianoly]

So true!

[@bobbyw5877]

agreed!

[@DesertRat332]

Didn't start studying piano until 7 years ago. I'm in my 70s now. For some reason I enjoy playing songs more on the guitar than on the piano. On the piano I enjoy working on my scales, inversions, arpeggios, and hand independence. I especially enjoy trying to learn to read two clefs at once. It's like deciphering a code. It's rewarding the few times the hands just seem to know what to do by themselves. But, I like your chord method. It's how I learned guitar as a young man, and probably why I fall back on it to play songs.

[@julieswank5952]

I am an adult "too long" learner. Definitely chords are more fun than the old-school practice . I too, have tried many you tubes and am so happy to have found yours. Thank you Kaitlynn.

[@pianoly]

Thank you, Julie! I'm glad my program is helping you. :)

[@MikeM91320]

Hi, like many others, I am an adult leaner and started just prior to my 62nd birthday last December. I mostly started to compliment my trumpet playing and have not taken any private piano lessons. I first followed along with another KZbinr who taught using a begginer book and then came across another KZbin channel that had great hand coordination exercises and used Chords as a major part of teaching. Just came across your page and enjoying so far.

[@marienorden8455]

Hi lovely lady. I'm 68yrs and for the last couple of years wanted to learn but felt i was too old , but a couple of friends said you're never too old and it helps to not get something like dementia. I lead worship at my church with guitar(self taught) but didn't learn how to read music. A lady i know is a music teacher and i went round to see what she does, then the next day I found you on YT and so glad i did because i just want to learn how to play worship at home fast, so I've not had lessons from her now.Thankyou so much. Im retired now and have plenty of time to practice. The only thing is she said just get a 61key keyboard which I've just bought.😮

[@PlatinumVanguard]

36. I took private lessons (classical training) from the age of 8-14, then I barely touched a piano for about 25 years. I was looking to get back into it a few years ago, and I got a really good recommendation from a coworker. I just started right back up pretty much where I left off, and I've been learning ever since continuing with mostly the same type of music (baroque/classical/romantic eras sprinkled with some contemporary). It worked out great considering my existing understanding was already pretty solid.

[@MartianTom]

Started at age 19. Gave up again at 26 having reached Grade 3. Took it up again at 60. 64 now and playing at Grade 6. I've turned things on their head and am learning quicker as I get older!

[@jessicanovack3448]

I began learning the piano at 27. Its been nearly 1.5 years since I started. I first started by using an app and KZbin for the first year, but after awhile I wasn't progressing as I was wanting to. Sure I was able to play normal songs, but I was lacking in many areas. I decided to find a place that does piano lessons and honestly I don't regret it at all. At first, yes I was playing simple songs with their "piano for adults" book series they use. But learning the real basics will go a long way. Understanding rhythm, timing, expression and some theory will help those who really want to learn piano. I've learned so much in the past few months since I started going to piano lessons for 30 minutes once a week and I have progressed A LOT. Finding the right teacher is also important. They need to be able to analyze your strengths and weaknesses as well as working with you to play pieces. My instructor during every session asks what I want to go over and gives me choices of songs to learn all while analyzing the song, teaching basics and going through their 'piano for adults" book.

[@anonglakmoonwicha2726]

I knew I wanted to learn when I was about 8... but I started at 31... studied (classical) with a teacher for 7 years then went abroad and had a long absence from piano. Started again around 55, and it was great how I could recall everything I'd learned... went for some years just doing that, until I realised I needed a teacher again. Now I've been studying with a teacher for about 3 years... I can amuse myself with the piano all day long, but I'd say it's going to be something I'm learning as long as I live... and I love it.

[@andeth1983]

Your video really spoke to me because I have personally experienced the frustrations you talk about. I'm 41 years old and never played any instrument until 2.5 months ago. Long story short I have always wanted to learn piano but never had the opportunity to until now. Just yesterday I was very frustrated with the process. All the other piano gurus out there all have their own soapbox, "method", or system they think is the best thing ever conceived. You spoke to this point to but you did more than that! You showed me a way forward on my journey that removes some major roadblocks for me. You helped gain perspective and helped me realize I can do this! I decided to play piano to help me relax, help unwind, and to learn something new and beautiful. I'm an all or nothing type of person and I tend to obsess over things and push myself until I figure them out. While this trait has helped me be successful in my career it can lead to frustration and anger when I have trouble figuring out something complex and I have a hard time asking for help. Especially when I'm learning from books and videos and have no one to ask for help or guidance. Your video encouraged me, made me laugh, and helped me to ease up on myself. Thank you so much for putting yourself on KZbin and creating this amazing content.

[@BarbaraRydlewski]

I love you and that wonderful sense of humor you have. I’ve been trying for approximately 25 years to learn the piano. I’m now a ripe 69 year old woman who started when returned to college for Early Childhood Education degree and to finish what was left of a foreign language degree (Spanish & French). I’ve had approximately 8 piano teachers some without any credentials to teach and finally took privates for two years from a professor of classical music. Been to hell and back and I would sweat like menopause had returned so I wrapped my head and neck in ice to attend my lessons. Her piano was a grand piano and she was sooo strict that at times would yell “You have no confidence in yourself!” and insisted I could play this music bc she would angrily say that she could see how my hands could move. Also done online teaching and foolishly laid out a lot of moola on programs that look silly and babyish to me. Don’t grasp how arpeggios work. I enjoy you tremendously and have watched you whenever I could find you. 🌻😬

[@keyboardheuvelrug]

Hi Kaitlyn, I'm a private piano teacher in the Netherlands, but my lessons aren't dull at all. Most of my students play their favorite songs within weeks or even in the first lesson. I adapt my lessons to the students that visit me. Some want to learn traditional notation (and are good at it), some play completely by ear and everything in between (e.g. youtube Synthesia movies etc.). So whether or not adult private lessons are boring, it completely depends on the teacher :-).

[@robynferguson4070]

As a piano teacher of almost 30 years,I agree! Many teachers are wonderful at tailoring lessons to the individual ( adult or child). Enjoying the piano as fundamentals are learned is absolutely possible! Getting to know each student and being flexible helps teachers find the best ways to bring joy into lessons. There are so many options!

[@bradsmithstudios8881]

I’m 39 and started 2 months ago after inheriting my mom’s grand piano. Doing the faber books on my own and am 4 books in. I’ve played guitar/bass/drums for 30 years, played in bands, and recorded albums, so the progress initially was super fast. I’m now hitting a point where the curve is slowing and it’s taking more work to progress at the same rate. A little frustrating, but I’m up for it, and I’m disciplined enough to power through the silly songs I don’t like, and I love every second. It’s giving me a whole new perspective on music and I’m actually learning to read notation! I am approaching it with original compositions as my goal.

[@amandaforshort]

100% agree on learning chords first for any method. Then you can recognize notes when reading as groups rather than individual. Its like chords are words and notes are letters (I mean they are but you know) It really makes everything easier.

[@Blokfluitgroep]

Nice analogy!

[@golden-63]

So true.

[@therenaissanceredneck8825]

Can you recommend a book on learning cords? Thanks.

[@Thanksimadeit]

I have been watching a ton of videos on KZbin related to music theory and piano, no books though. You can do it! And once you understand how the notes are spaced out for example A minor vs A Major, you understand all the chords.

[@therenaissanceredneck8825]

@@Thanksimadeit thanks! Happy Holidays!!!

[@davidhall7275]

I've been taking lessons from a French concert pianist since I turned 73--four months ago. I think already knowing guitar and chords is an advantage. Whatever process one uses, learning something new is great fun.

[@ethicalhackerwhitehat]

using Synthesia, I learned in just 6 months. Download your favorite music as MIDI file and just practice. It naturally comes, muscle memory gets it eventually. I'm 41

[@5dayslater]

I’ve been playing drums nearly my entire life and would love to move my rhythm over to piano to enjoy some pretty chords. It’s very difficult to start over on an instrument being so tenured with drumming. This video helps as an adult trying to learn a new instrument! Thank you!

[@roddelfernando]

I learned to play 1st by learning how to read sheets, memorizing chords, and finally scales. With these three everybody will learn fast. Did everything on my own since teenager

[@linzkirk]

Totally agree with you. I started playing piano in December 22 on my 50th. I had had one piano lesson years ago and really didn't get on with it because of sheet music. Im heavily dyslexic, I can't read English very well so sheet music was a no. In lockdown I learnt guitar, loads of music theory, improvising, soloing etc. i'm now playing at open mic's. So starting on piano I used the same approach, and a lot of transferable knowledge. With Piano I started with the key of C. Playing a C major the moving it up to D minor and so on. I realised that if the chord exists in the word "Dead" it would be a minor chord eg. D minor and A minor apart from B Diminished. Once I figured that there are so many song in that diatonic chord set. I started with "Let it Be", a song I love and in that key. But that was just the beginning. I have learnt other chords and scales, composed my own pieces, improvised and learnt one of my favourite piano pieces, Comptine d'un autre été (from Amelie) . You tube has been a great teacher, but I needed to figure out my own road map. One really important thing is to have your piano out, set up ready at all times. Every time I have 10 mins spare I will play as its just calls out at me. Just found your Chanel and im looking forward to trying some lessons. ive subscribed

[@reygood1]

Yup. When I was younger, I bought a music keyboard and learned chords by ear... because I can play guitar. But I'm using it to accompany my friends' singing. Now I want to learn piano basics, some music theory, and specially, sight reading. If I learn to play Chopin's Nocturne op 9-2, I will be totally delighted.

[@belenlg5978]

I teach a mix of both methods. I usually dedicate half of the class to teaching a new song with chords and then they are so happy they are open to make the effort and do a little of a more traditional class, using for example the John Thompson books

[@StarQuest115130]

I totally agree! I'm not a piano teacher, but when my friends ask me to teach them a little something, I always ask them for some of their favorite songs, then I try and teach them those songs in a simplified way to keep them enthusiastic and interested in their continued learning...this works well for me, and them😉

[@Gretchenbrooke]

Wow that described my exact experience in private classes. Lol it did feel like child’s play! I wanted to claw my eyes out lol. I started just learning on KZbin my favorite songs and really started to memorize and pick up and learn CHORDS and now I learn much faster. You are correct on this! Thank you for articulating it for me 😊

[@codenamebravo2212]

Thank you I’ve just purchased a Yamaha CLP 885 Clavinova I’m 54 years old and know the basics of the piano, I can play a few songs with both hands but you are right about music books for adults they suck!! Blooming row row row your boat I threw them away now I got a chord encyclopaedia what a difference one book makes.

[@AmberShort]

I wasn't gonna comment since I've been playing piano all my life since being 4. My learning wasn't exactly classical or even kids songs. I was trying to imitate my grandfather who was big on American jazz music so he'd play that alot. I don't know how I made it learning the piano starting with jazz but it clicked with me after many years. I don't recommend it though. I finished teaching piano for kids during the summer and it's interesting seeing them evolve. I know alot have their ways teaching people and I'm sure I may get flack for it but in my views, I always say, "When learning to play piano, play by ear first - read last." Everyone is different so I say do what is easy for the learner. But all in all, you really need to devote alot of time to it. Don't give up. It's never too late to learn.

[@ivanmarchany7404]

Hi: I'm 68 years old and commenced piano lessons 4 years ago. I commenced with an instructor who teach me how to read music, how to use the fingers and have played many songs that are not familiar to me. But I developed the agility to read, play the notes in the piano on so on. I already have the song sheets of the music I really want to play. Therefore to me was quite important to learn how to play the piano by reading song sheets. Then , I commenced on my own learning from many videos on you tube. finally, I commenced learning chords and so far I have been practicing about 70 chords. the real challenge has been to memorize all of them. I do practice at least 2 hours 3 to 4 days a week. I prepared a spread sheet outlining all of the warm up exercises, study material, my repertory and the new songs I'm learning. However, it has taken me a lot of effort to easily play these chords. I used the Alfred method to learn how to play the piano and I'm about (95%) to finish the advanced level. Do you think I'm on the right track lo develop my skills on the piano? It appears to me that I would need to practice 5 to 6 days a week for at least 4 hours to get to the level I need to play the songs that I like. The genres I'm currently playing are pop and salsa. Would you please provide to me feedback? Thanks a lot. Ivan

[@claude5125]

I am an adult. I began to play the piano 12 years ago. I practise 90 min per day, almost 7 days/week… piano is a passion for me. Since 3 years, i also play clarinet ( it help me also to play the piano). Since the beginning i have a teacher. I had 3. The last one is my teacher since 5 years. I use KZbin to go deeper in a specific subject. With KZbin, impossible to have direct feedback. Lead Sheet, i really like. With lead sheet, you could play the same song differently… it will follow your progression… BUT, i noticed that piano teachers are less able to teach « impro » of the lead sheet if their background is classical. If they studied in Jazz/popular, it is a lot more natural fit. Once you know chords and the most popular progression eg. 2-5-1, etc, you will not only play the music, but make music…

[@dean3tuns]

I have been learning? For a while, but I think that your tutorials are easy to follow. I own a bar in England and all I want to be able to do is to host a sing song playing regular tunes that people can sing along to, and also to play some carols at a Christmas

[@Parkwaymania]

This is really cool Kaitlyn and I'm really looking forward to checking out your course. Self taught 40 year guitar player here (learned chords first) and then learned music theory through high school band and I've ALWAYS wanted to learn keyboard. You give me hope!

[@victoza9232]

@Parkwaymania How did you learn those chords and theory? With books? If so, you're not self-taught. The authors of those books were your teachers.

[@danielpienaar6596]

Yes I agree .I do not play yet but came to the same conclusions .Lively interest , dedication and never giving up have to be the attitude .Thanks .

[@TodayTestfbsfbsfbs]

One advantage which is little bit bitter but also relieving when learning piano at an adult age is that you only do it for fun because realistically you will probably not pursue a career in music anymore so you just can relax and learn.

[@AmaniKinnard]

I’m 19 and started at 18. December 15th 2022. I was extremely persistent with it from anywhere between 2 hours to 8 hours a day. Self taught from KZbin videos etc. I started COMPLETELY from scratch, no music experience, Theory, technique, nothing. . I always wanted to play from memory and NOT from sheet music. Like those public pianist kind of stuff. I never learned happy birthday or Mary had a little lamb or anything, my first song I learned was interstellar but only chords and a few arpeggios, not the super famous one but a more simpler one. . As of now almost 1 year later I learned to Play -interstellar (simplified) -La la land theme -Comptine D’un Autre Ete -gymnopedie no. 1 - where is my mind - Penn ar roc’h - rue des trois freres - moon river - Je te lasserai de mots -most of canon in D (current piece) Keep in mind I haven’t master e music theory or have the ability to improvise yet. I can just play those songs but I still struggle with music theory, chords, etc. so within the first year you can play songs but it’s hard to understand the music. . In my opinion the first year the hardest pieces you can play assuming you start completely from scratch is either Claire de lune or Chopin waltz in C sharp Monroe. But the more you are able to play songs the faster you learn songs. But these are the songs I can play from memory. With sheet music you can usually play through a song much faster as a beginner, but you also struggle to play through memory. I don’t list the songs I can play through, I listed the songs I could play from any moment beginning to end.

[@gopikrishnan3976]

Can you tell me your method of learning. I tried learning some songs from youtube tutorials and it felt really difficult at times.

[@realdealastrology9]

Lol even remembered the date you started 😂😂

[@LearnCompositionOnline]

I started with 18. Painful, but possible. But need a lot of talent, passion, and right professional choices principally. Later i became employed church pianist in Salzburg.

[@MrMjp58]

An interesting video Kaitlyn. Having attained some skill and musical knowledge on guitar as a youth, I took up the piano/keyboards around my mid-twenties. At first, I didn’t succeed. I probably should have given up there and then. I’d have saved an awful lot of time and money. That was well over 40 years ago. I subsequently put in thousands of hours and found I could eventually play quite a lot, in a certain slapdash sort of way, but never have I, even once, felt at home on the instrument. The spatial and physical properties of keyboards seem to appeal only to certain personality types; one I don’t possess. Rick Wakeman once said something along the lines of, ‘if you don’t start piano in a serious way, before childhood is out, you’ll never fully develop the required musculature to cope with the instrument’s demands’. I have to agree. Certainly in my case, it’s true. My very best wishes to all the late learners out there.

[@kpec3]

Just play against Spotify playlists. Focus on playing by ear, by feel. When you find something you can't play, stop and figure it out, add it to your daily routine.

[@rhn6075]

as someone who cares more about classical music, I think traditional private classes are still the way

[@pianoly]

Yes, I believe that is true for people who want to learn classical music.

[@drproton85]

Been playing for 2 years now, self taught. Me? 10 months. I tracked my hours. One hour per day Sun - Fri, 2 - 4 hours on Saturdays. Today I'm very affluent with playing the piano. I also am the pianist at my local congregation. However now I want to learn to read sheet music while I play so I can play every hymn out of any hymnal so that's will be accomplished by December of 2024.

[@louiserussell8267]

It depends on how long it takes for the adult to remove all the blocks and how skilled the tutor is. Breathing is the most important part of it. Without learning to breath, the student is going to struggle.

[@colingeorgeh]

I started the piano when I was fifty years old. My piano teacher taught me the basics of accompaniment, music theory, and chord progressions. She taught me using modern songs with simple arrangements. Within a year I was writing my own simple songs and simple arrangements to songs I wanted to play. It also helped that I played guitar when I was a teenager. I played guitar using barre chords, so I played the piano the same way. I learned the locked hand method, which is similar to barre chords on the guitar. I also learned to play power chords with my left hand and the melody with my right hand. I also started transposing songs to C major key or A minor key. They are the two easiest keys to play in. I also learned to play by ear. I enjoy playing piano with these simple techniques. I think your method of teaching is a great way to teach adults.

[@justinmadison513]

I'm an adult beginner in my twenties. Started taking lessons a year and a half ago. My piano teacher has me on the traditional path. I definitely agree that it is the slow and dragging way to learn piano. Though in my case, I want to be able to learn all the classical and jazz songs that I love, so the traditional method is likely what I need to stick with.

[@pianoly]

Glad you found the path that works for you. Happy practicing and thanks for watching!

[@R.Williams]

I hope that by doing this method you will get a solid basis in technique and things like scales and other fundamentals that are a must for classical music. I can't speak for jazz as I love it but can't play it. I play mostly classical with some video game and movie music. I'm self taught and play at a fairly advanced level, but simple things like runs take me forever to perfect because I never spent the time on basics. It's hard to make yourself go back and do it after you already can play decently. You're young, being in your 20s and have time to develop your skills. Don't be like me letting decades pass then taking it up again when you're 50. Work hard while you hopefully don't have arthritis! Keep it up! 😊

[@Tzadeck]

In your twenties I think it's absolutely a good idea to do the traditional path. You have a good 60 years of piano playing ahead of you, if you're lucky, so there's no reason to rush. Building a good foundation pays off in the long run.

[@TheLinama]

i started this year in seriousness at age of 52. My girl friend plays so she gives me points here and there. She wanted me to start with Cznery, Hanon stuff to set a a solid base, but I told her it's not useful for old man like me. So I just took out some books and started playing. A few month later, I can learn a piece (playing with some small mistakes) and remember the full score in about 2 weeks for pieces like Marriage d'Amore, passcaglia (which took me just 3 days), A Comme Amour, Ballade Pour Adeline， Grammaphone. the more i played, the quicker I got. I did already know how to sight read, and know some of the basic music theory during those years of babysitting my son learning piano playing. I started reading slow, but getting faster now. I don't think i can go beyond the complexity of the pieces that I can play now. But it is enough for me to enjoy and show off once a while. It's been a childhood dream come true.

[@delhibill]

I taught myself the basics of the guitar way too many years ago and am still a decent rhythm player, so starting the keyboard with chords and lead sheets was natural. Making good progress after little over a year. Good to hear this is a sound approach. :)

[@Craig_Tucker48]

Oof, you have just described my private weekly 30 min lesson journey and experience. Finding time to practice every day with a busy full time job is hard, particularly when the songs you have to focus on are uninteresting. Very hard to motivate yourself and then you feel guilty. I finally was recommended Prelude in C major this week, and because that song is so beautiful and not too complicated, I have been finding myself practicing way more and it not feeling like a chore. I will keep up with what I am doing, but thank you for finding the root of what was bothering me and how to combat it!

[@robford3211]

@craig _tucker Motivation just does not go far enough and is easy extinguished . Learn a 15 minute habit everyday and in a year you could be playing an hour or more everyday just as a habit no motivation required

[@MichaelTimmonsJr]

4:55 Possibly the funniest thing I’ve seen all day! 😅 You really do a great job at stressing how stressful it is for adults to learn something new especially when the teachers treat us like children. Off topic: Why do people treat old people like children as well. It’s something that I’ve noticed. It almost changes the old person to become less capable because they no longer have the interest in doing so. I think that’s how it feels to be taught piano for adults 😂

[@alphacode5]

i'm 29 and started learning the piano a few weeks ago, I have seen a lot of videos about how to start learning and this was the most realistic one yet, it actually feels like you are addressing a real person and not just spewing techniques and correct form as if i'm learning in a school and need to learn every single aspect. While that may be important, clearly an adult starting to learn piano is doing it for the fun of it, not to become a professional musician overnight and i don't want to spend my one free hour each day practicing the same song. great video

[@amarug]

Many of my friends tell me how they noticed as they get older they can't learn things as fast anymore. I think a lot of it is just because they believe it to be so and the other part is that you have less time, more stress and distractions and the "brain changed" is rather a small part. Or at least very individually different. I noticed I started learning Japanese (in secret to prank my wife) at 38 and at the age of 40 now, I am almost completely fluent. If I think how it took me forever as a 9-year-old to learn half a page of French vocab, or the same issue at 14 when we first started learning English. Now, I quickly memorize two pages on my way to work on the train. At 20 I never would have had the discipline to do this, I just scraped through to get my degrees in engineering on "maximum lazy mode". I have played the piano as a kid, so I can't assess that, but I see awesome stories here about people who started 50+ and made insane progress and I don't doubt the truthfulness of these stories at all. It's a lot just a matter of mindset.

[@niinakukkonen7728]

I think, if you have the time and motivated you might learn even better as a adault. I have regonize that I'm learning such as good as a childhood and even better now.

[@eliasnassour366]

Hello Kaitlyn, I am 37. I just decided to learn how to play piano 2 weeks. I am having private lessons, then youtube. The former is really not designed for adults, youtube allowed me to make something fun and enjoyable like Clocks (Coldplay), and now you say it explicitly that this the third way and the fastest. This is similar to learning a new language, I really need to enjoy this language rather than being an orchestra chief. Thanks for sharing your experience, much appreciated.

[@tominmo8865]

I'm 73, zero previous musical experience. Bought a Casio keyboard about a year ago. Played with it for a couple of months and looked at some YT videos, geared to kids. Lost interest. Glad I found this video (and subscribed). Gonna try again!

[@strive4impact]

How's it going? Hope you kept going?

[@neilhawkins1212]

Never had private lessons, self teaching from watching KZbin. What i learned very quickly is that you can overload yourself from watching too much KZbin. The only way to learn the piano is to play the piano. For every 5 minutes of watching KZbin I put in at least 15 minutes of playing and that, as an adult learner, is starting to pay off. Question is Kaitlyn, which path did you take to get where you are now?

[@SamSmithVev0]

I started piano 6 weeks ago. 35 year old adult. By ear, and by following templates. I’m now playing Space by French FUSE.

[@Pekka.Pekka.1296]

I started playing piano (seriously, not just some youtube tutorials) with the age 46 when during Covid era. I have a fantastic teacher who mixes popular music with classical ones constantly raising the bar and giving me new challenges to keep my motivation high. Now I had for homework my first Chopin piece (a seemingly easily but ofc superdifficult waltz). That's why I started to learn: some day I'll be able to play Chopin. And it gives so much fun! I'm far from being a pianist but I can play (also by strangers) enjoyable music. I'd never could imagine how your hands can move simultaneously. Now I know: with a lot of practice. My sight-reading should be improved but I'm working on it on a daily basis. The key: I'm practicing everyday. (30-60mins).

[@cafolaadee5920]

I’m 17 so i don’t know why i watched this video

[@ChrisBrunger]

Yeah, come back when you are 18

[@freeflyer6170]

LOL….Best comment yet.

[@cafolaadee5920]

@@ChrisBrunger I'm 18

[@matt8637]

You watched it to be reminded to pratice the piano now before you get older.

[@cafolaadee5920]

@@matt8637 good take

[@Goofy8907]

I'm actually playing Marry had a little lamb now because I think its good for practicing hand independence I'll play that, and then like Twinkle Little Star in my other hand It is really hard but fun and I've started improving already

[@jonathanpangilinanjr.9905]

21. Almost 3 months into self-learning piano. I first bought a Mozart music sheet book since it says easy to intermediate. Well, easy for experts! But yeah, I learned 3 songs thus far (far far from perfect of course) and finally realized I should do the really easy ones first. I supplement my learning with learning apps which teaches chords, rhythm, music theory, etc. for beginners and eventually, they begun clicking as I play my third song. I also watch KZbin for guide and search Google for something I don't know. After those three songs, I put down Mozart's music sheet book and picked up Musescore. From a recommendation in KZbin, I started with Silent Night (beginner version). After two weeks of fairly consistent practice, I hammered the notes in my muscle memory and is now training it with a metronome and checking my articulation and stuff. Never had a roadblock. The start is kind of rocky and confusing since I have no one to guide me except the internet but eventually, I developed a vision for what is the right path to take (hopefully).

[@MaxxVelocity]

I can confirm as a guitar instructor, the chord-first approach is the way to go. I had almost no formal training myself, but I was taught the basic chords and the rest sort of taught itself.

[@1DumbSquirrel]

I just started playing this morning, and i can play and read sheet music already. Yah im kind a genuine genius

[@jorgejorge8878]

I thought this was going to be q shameless sell up, but the PDF link in the description really has nice tips to get you going as a beginner. Good stuff

[@jamesbradley582]

I am 64 and just started learning keyboard, I am enjoying the learning,and it doesn't bother me how long it takes,I learn,and apply something new every day,I have learnt to actually enjoy the journey as much as the destination

[@tronam]

With the amount of crowdsourced knowledge and global information sharing these days, there surely must be a way to accelerate this process. Just know that learning an instrument is more of an incremental appreciation journey than an instant gratification one. Adults continually fight with their own ego, so cut yourself some slack and learn how to embrace the gradual evolution. I started as an adult with the “traditional” method 1 going from knowing nothing to Bach inventions, Chopin preludes/etudes (etc…) and choir accompaniment over the course of about 12-16 months and managed to catch up with most of my peers. So, it’s definitely possible, but it was also the most challenging (and rewarding) experience of my life; a marathon exercise in willpower, focus, and dedication. But, I was also in college with all the time in the world where I could practice uninterrupted for 4-6 hours per day. I know this just isn’t feasible for most adults, so take full advantage of all the tools and tips that a skilled teacher like Pianoly can provide. I bet someone could do it in half the time these days.

[@tommylikes4511]

Is this the same for violin 🎻 too?

[@ckatheman]

I had some experience as a teenage with keyboard/piano but the lessons were all hyper focused on sight reading, and I couldn't grasp it, switched to guitar as a result. Returned to piano at age 45 or so (about 4 years ago), and hammered music theory into my brain as it pertained to the instrument, not dots on a page (to understand what I was playing and why) and then just picked tutorial songs off of KZbin. No sheet music needed. Via that method I found I was able to learn just about any any pop rock song I wanted and play it well, arranged how I like and fully retained in memory - a huge repertoire in a short period of time. And not easy stuff - some of the more difficult Elton John, Billy Joel, Steely Dan, Bruce Hornsby etc... Being free from reliance on printed music was so huge, personally. Now I enjoy it with no stress. All I need at most is a chord chart from one of the guitar sites and can fill in all the rest - but most times I can just figure it out myself (it just is quicker if I have the chord chart - I do not have perfect pitch...). Granted, I did have some previous experience in my teens (and another instrument) but the progress I made in the last few years as a middle aged adult is staggering.

[@flyurway]

Very amusing, really got a kick out of your antics here. I've been playing longer than you've been alive, yet I am STILL The World's Slowest Music Reader! Over 60 years of "reading" music and no one is worse at it than I am!! From Beethoven to Liszt, Rachmininoff, more recently, ragtime, and I'll spend months deciphering each and every little black dot in a pathetic stupor of frustration. I just stick with it to the last page. Chords are easy, but improvisation has mystified me forever, I understand reading music better than I'll ever understand improvisation!

[@FredHenry1850]

I'm a 36 year old piano beginner. I played trombone in highschool, but as I've gotten older I've wanted to pick up an instrument again. I want something more universal than trombone. My desire is to play out of the hymnal like my aunts did when I was young. Because of this, I have chosen to learn through the classical method. To start with, I am doing a daily piano lesson in Alfred's Premier Piano Express: 1 & 2. Yes, this piano journey will take me the rest of my life, but I am committing one year to the process without worrying about how good I get. Sometimes you just have to trust the process. Consistency is key. No matter how I feel, I sit down and do my piano lesson.

[@matthiaswilhelm9813]

Ich spielte mit 5 Jahren mit vollen Akkorden.Der Klavierunterricht war schlimme Strafe.Das spielte ich 40 Jahre in Tanzbands und Orgel am Friedhof und reparierte auch Elektronische Instrumente selber.Da hat mich Gott genauso belohnt,wie er mich jetzt mit Karpaltu nelsyndrom und tauben Diabetesfingern straft😂❤

[@paulkramer7844]

I began piano lessons in 1959 and quit in 1964 after the piano teacher chronically assigned me music I didn't like -- so in 1971, I bought sheet music of Beehoven sonatas and Chopin polonaises, and learned on my own, mainly during vacation time during my student years. I took up piano again (and flute) in 1998, after a 20 year hiatus, but in 2004, a hand injury forced me to quit. I began piano again in 2019, relearning some of the Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Schubert & Mendelssohn pieces I learned earlier, and began one by one seven more Mozart sonatas. I am focusing now mainly on Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms & Bach. I still cannot play as well as I did in 1976 and in 2004, but my steady progress indicates it won't be too long before I can play well again.

[@TobiasBaker-c5b]

You never stop learning or improving. You can't just "learn it".

[@backtoschool1611]

I am self taught, and I learned amost of these skills taught in treditional Lessons playing songs I ENJOYED. I did not have a "lesson book", I used my choir music, Wee Sing books, encyclidedias, etc. I nearly lost it all when I went to music school. I really do believe the TEACHER is just as important as the "method" uaed!!! You can have a wounferful treditional music lesson experiance with the right teacher!!

[@ronsullivan132]

You described the method I learned by to a tee when I was 10 years old, which was the first one. And of course, in a few years when puberty hit and I found out girls were not yucky anymore I gave it up. That is something I have come to regret many times over. I am now 68 and retired and in the process of shopping for an 88 key electronic piano to pick up where I left off 58 years ago. Learning by chords was not a thing back then but it sounds like a plan for me to start on.

[@DavidZhou-g3d]

Thank you for explaining things that makes sense to an 70’s year old beginner. Now I know what direction I want to go. I think I’m going to have Mary’s little lamb for dinner tonight. 😂😂😂 🙏🙏🙏

[@FancyPelicanRL]

I am currently 25yo, my parents made my sister and I take lessons when we were younger, and I think that was ultimately where my interest in it quickly met it's demise. I was in private lessons for a few years, progressing at a fairly average rate, training classically, doing the scales, etudes, and pieces. It was clear to see I wasnt really finding much enjoyment in it. I stopped around suzuki book 5, and since hadn't had much interaction with the piano whatsoever. However, this was not the end of music for me, as I discovered orchestra, and went on to play through middle school, high school, college, and even to this day. 15 years later after thinking I'd sworn off the piano for good in my early childhood, I have a newfound passion for playing what I WANT to play, which I can usually do through a short hour or so session of playing a melody by ear and figuring out the chords to go with it. I've recently especially fallen in love with jazz style piano, and gone down many a youtube rabbit hole to learn what I can about the various chord progressions and improvisation techniques, and I'm having an absolute blast doing it! For the time being, playing piano my way finally feels right to me for once, and while I'm not sure I'll ever pursue lessons or formal training again, what's most important is that I'm finding genuine enjoyment in it☺️ Thanks for the insightful video!

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

I just recently got into music production using a daw, and my usage of the piano roll has sparked my interest in learning piano. I have a very modest guitar playing background, but I wouldn't consider myself a musician at all. I'm not hoping to become a musical phenom with the keyboard, I just want to be able to know where to go next when I'm writing a song. If mastery comes somewhere down the road, I'll welcome that...but I just want to be able to get around the keyboard and understand where and why my fingers should go next to make pleasant sounds.

[@jeromejablonski4322]

I started self teaching…..moved to app learning….then private lessons with an instructor. My issue is the length of time it takes to learn songs. This was very helpful and I’m looking forward to trying it out with some of my favorite songs. Thanks.

[@santodomingo1605]

While it is never too late to learn playing the piano the real question is what level of competence is attainable for an adult beginner? A young adult will make better progress than a mature adult: the older the adult, the lower the ceiling of competence. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly the brain as it ages loses neural plasticity. With a younger person neural pathways are created, altering the brain. These pathways become permanently fixed. I see this when taking on new adult tutees who have retired and might not have touched the piano for forty years or more but reached a reasonable standard in their youth. Within four to six weeks they can be back to that same standard and can even extend their competence a little. By contrast, a person the same age who has no established neural pathways will not be able to create new ones required for any real level of competence. This does not mean that they cannot play anything - it just means that they will reach a low ceiling of competence beyond which further development cannot take place. Proper coordination of the hands - let alone moving hands to new positions - becomes laboured and practise will make little or no difference as neural pathways connected to movement are not being created. Secondly, as one ages proprioception (fundamental to any sort of kinaesthetic learning) starts to diminish. That fact explains why elderly people suffer falls. As well as affecting reaction times it also affects digital representation in the brain. Mature tutees slowly process each note in turn and have to look down for visual confirmation that they are sounding the right key with the right finger. I’m reminded of a gentleman I’ve been ‘teaching’ since 2017 who started as a beginner aged 71. His level of competence was reached after about a year and he has not progressed beyond pre-grade levels since although he enjoys lessons. A boy who started the same year and is now fifteen is working towards an associate diploma having passed Grade 8 piano with a high merit earlier this year. In short, anyone at any age can learn to play something on the piano, but one has to be realistic about what can be achieved.

[@myapinion7532]

Yip, l'm 67 and can remember at age 13, after two years of piano lessons, that l was just beginning to really sound good and was probably almost ready for my first exam. I really regret giving it up. I always thought that it was just the confidence of youth. Now l'm trying to get back into it, but progress in learning to sight read is unbelievably slow. It's so frustrating. So many on here though with the same story. Reading comments on other yt channels from adult learners, I sometimes wonder why so many of us feel this same draw at the same age. 😊

[@santodomingo1605]

Has it never occurred to you that almost all professional musicians started learning their instrument as children? The definition of belief, meanwhile, is to accept that something is true, especially without proof. If your teacher 'believes' that kinaesthetic learning, proprioception and neural plasticity is unaffected by age which poses no limits on improvement then she defies the facts of science. As for my own teaching - it’s up to mature tutees to decide whether they continue, but all those who started learning in their 60s, 70s and 80s are realistic enough to remain content with playing very simple pieces.

[@TerrySmith-j5p]

I am officially bummed out now- I’m 64 practice about 1-2 hours a day - started a year ago- I have progressed some but not enough to my liking… this explanation says a lot

[@mysticjoe295]

I agree. I’m a bass/guitar player and started with online lessons, but got bored quickly and “instinctively” started learning scales then moved to chords. More fun and more progress. I am trying a few private lessons and see if that helps within the context of what I’m doing. Will also check you your offerings -thanks!

[@yvonnecrozier4536]

I relate to what you said about traditional piano lessons. I reached Grade 8 royal conservatory and never did develop talent to spontaneously play anything. 😂 After just a couple of your videos I already feel like the lights are coming on!

[@raymondlussier3920]

I play the keyboard with the chords method. I tried traditional piano instruction over 35 years ago, and the instructor actually switched me over to the chords method because he sensed that would be easier for me. he was right. I play the keyboard as a synthesizer or organ with that method

[@robertgainer2783]

Learning chords will accelerate progress initially, but it will only take you so far. The traditional method will be very slow initially, but will give much greater facility when it comes to advanced playing later on.

[@giusedigre4282]

I received a keyboard when I turned 15 as a gift, it was my dream to play the piano, but I had no money for lessons so I thought that I was going to be able to learn online. Sadly, I didn't find good channels that could give me a roadmap and I eventually frustrated and started "learning" my favorite songs (classical music) using synthesia. My biggest regret. During my teenage years I had sooo much time available to learn the piano and just focus on my hobbies but I wasted that time not learning how to actually play the piano, read music, etc. Synthesia was frustrating for me, learning just one song at a time, soo slowly, some months I wouldn't practice, I needed classes! Now I'm 21 years old, technically I'm still young but I don't have time or money for classes, not even online 😞 I had to give my keyboard to a relative because I was moving overseas and I wasn't going to be able to take it with me 🙁 Now I don't even have a piano. My advice: If you have a piano, time and resources, please don't waste time and start learning the right way from the very beginning.

[@MrMcQuade]

I am 43 and I plan on dedicating an hour to piano every day throughout July and August. My first goal is to learn Christmas songs so that when family is over we can sing Christmas carols together. After that, I want to learn a bunch of fun music so I can have fun with the students at school.

[@FriendofWigner]

You hit the nail on the head regarding method books. When I got into Ukulele, I didn't even bother with 'lessons'; I just watched YT vids and bought song books with chords. I have some method books for Piano, but I never got more than half-way through them because the songs were all old public domain pieces, half of which I have never heard before. This is true for all the instruments I have studied (sax, piano, guitar, and harmonica). I have actually found a couple books I plan on working with; Ukulele Aerobics and Piano Aerobics. They basically have simple daily exercises to teach you chords, scales, playing patterns, etc. That way I can practice the fundamentals, and then spend the rest of my practice sessions working on songs that were written since the advent of sound recording, or just noodling around. To be fair, I spent four years playing sax, plus a year of piano, in school, so I already know how to read treble clef. The bass clef is what gives me grief; I got if figured out, but I can't read it in real time.

[@johnwebb4499]

Took me 3 years with help from YT. (I can play any song now) No private lessons. Didn't spend a dime.

[@wenwen4997]

I'm 35, took me 3 whole years on self learning and to really play decent pieces like Moonlight Sonata Mvt.1, Nocturne no.20, and Op9 No.1. All i can say is practice makes perfect !! My 1st year during my journey, everyday without fail, practiced about 2hrs+..

[@andreasmaier5361]

@pianoly - I wrote a few comments yesterday that may have given the impression that I might be against pianoly's tutorials. It has occupied my mind a bit today. That was not my intention at all to write anything against the exceedingly nice Miss of pianoly here. Not at all. My intention was that everyone has to find their own way to play the piano. I am more the type who prefers classical music. But. If you like to play current songs, you are certainly in good hands with Pianoly. I am very sorry if I have caused any irritation here.

[@StevenZagaris]

I’ve been using simply piano app for about six months. I love it and now my three-year-old wants to do it.

[@johnstelluto9101]

At 68, I find it easier to play songs by finding the chords as you say and by getting the Easy Note song books . Even though I learned how to read sheet music, I find the large notes and the note names already written on the notes makes it easier to enjoy playing the piano. I first learned the 3 note major chords then how to turn them into minor chords then the seventh chords-mostly the white keys. I'm still working on the black keys for the sharps and flats. I started playing songs right away and you can buy one of those Yamaha arranger keyboards and add rhythm accompaniment. Finally, I need to get to the next level and add arpeggios and two handed chording. But. I enjoy the learning process and discovering something new is very rewarding and keeps me going.😁Liked your video, by the way!

[@annmatteson6547]

I took traditional lessons years ago, I love playing classical music. But, I also love playing music with lead sheets, they work great! You can use both! Thanks for your great info!

[@guylivesay8330]

Thanks for this video. I've played for 30ish years, always played very simple fill-ins and add-to stuff, accompanying great musicians. Joined my old group about 2 years ago after a 15 year separation, and was kinda ashamed of how little talent I had. KZbin videos have helped me tremendously with different scales(blues/minor), hand independence, speed, left hand patterns, and more. I've got miles to go, but can now see real progress over the weeks.

[@MichaelTimmonsJr]

3:19 very clever, it cut to an ad to really show how long it would take 😂