Lately, I've been thinking about the adults I have encountered through the years who seem compelled to comment, or perhaps confess, when they discover that I'm a piano teacher: "I took when I was a kid, and then I quit, and now I wish I knew how to play!"
This remark saddens me because I, too, wish they knew how to play! I know the joy and comfort that time at the piano brings to me. I wish everyone had such a source of happiness!
More importantly, though, I want to tell everyone who expresses such a wish to me that they can still play! Will it take a little bit of determination and effort? Yes. Is learning to play the piano years after you quit lessons impossible? No! Not at all! With the right tools and knowledge, anyone can play!
While it's true that an adult who studied as a child could try to resurrect old skills and knowledge on their own, the truth is that having a teacher can make a world of difference in piano study! Furthermore, there's never been a better time to be an adult piano student! Advances in instrument technology can mean that the adult student is able to practice late in the evening or early in the morning without waking other members of the household. Advances in communication technology mean that an adult student can find a teacher anywhere in the world who can meet them online at a time that works for the student. No longer, are we at the mercy of finding a teacher in our area who can work us into their schedule. Now, we can schedule lessons at anytime of day! With the recent shift where more of us than ever before have begun to work from home, many adults have the opportunity to study music on their lunch breaks! Would you believe me if I told you that this list touches on only a few of many advancements that have made piano study easier than ever? It's true!
Are you curious yet? If you are, stay tuned! I'm going to be starting a series devoted to the opportunities and challenges of adult piano study. I'll look at both the difficulties and the ways that music study can be not only possible, but an incredible reward for busy adults. If you'd like more specific information, or if you'd like to study with me, contact me via my email for a free trial lesson to discuss the opportunities for you to study!