Have you ever found yourself captivated by the melodious notes of a piano, wishing you could play as well? If so, you’re not alone. But what is the easiest way to learn piano for adults?
Many adults harbor the desire to learn the piano but are often deterred by the misconception that it’s too late to start. The truth is, it’s never too late to learn something new, and that includes playing the piano.
This article will guide you through the easiest way to learn piano for adults and review some popular online platforms that can help you achieve your musical goals.
Easiest Way to Learn Piano for Adults: Ultimate Guide
Contents
- Easiest Way to Learn Piano for Adults: Ultimate Guide
- The Benefits of Learning the Piano
- Adult Learning vs. Child Learning
- Overcoming Challenges
- Starting Your Piano Journey
- The Best Music Theory Apps
- Best Music Theory Books
- The Best Piano Books for Adults
- Alfred’s Basic Adult All-In-One Piano Course
- Easiest Way to Learn Piano for Adults: Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Piano Course Book 1
- The Jazz Piano Book
- Primo Piano – Easy Piano Music for Adults. 55 Timeless Piano Songs for Adult Beginners
- Piano and Keyboard for Beginners: Comprehensive Guide for Absolute Beginners
- Best Online Learning Platforms & Courses
- LinkedIn Learning
- Learn Piano With Jazer Lee
- Practice Tips for Adult Learners
- FAQ
- Conclusion
The Benefits of Learning the Piano
What is the easiest way to learn piano for adults, and what are the benefits?
While learning piano as an adult can be challenging, these challenges are not insurmountable. Adults often better understand the value of practice and are more likely to be self-directed in their learning.
They can choose what they want to learn and set their own pace, making the learning process more enjoyable and fulfilling. wondering how to learn piano for adults? Let’s delve into it.
Adult Learning vs. Child Learning
What is the easiest way to learn piano for adults compared to learning for children? The process of learning piano, much like acquiring languages, benefits greatly from early exposure.
This is because the learning experience is largely experiential and often involves rote learning.
Young learners have more flexible ligaments and joints, which allows them to build technical skills from scratch, eventually becoming second nature.
However, it’s worth noting that many children practice without mindfulness, resulting in disproportionate outcomes despite the hours invested.
On the other hand, adults can leverage their intellectual engagement and problem-solving skills to assess their technical abilities, leading to a higher return on the time spent practicing piano.
Of course, there are always outliers on both ends of this spectrum, but this generally holds true for most people learning the piano across different age groups.
Overcoming Challenges
What is the easiest way to learn piano for adults? As an adult learner, you might face certain challenges such as time constraints or feeling too old to start learning something new.
However, with the right mindset and dedication, these challenges can be overcome. Remember, learning is a lifelong journey, and it’s the process that matters more than the destination.
How to learn piano for adults is a complex question, because the best way is personal to each adult, depending on how they learn best.
Starting Your Piano Journey
What is the easiest way to learn piano for adults?
Make a plan!
Before you start your piano journey, it’s essential to set clear goals. What do you want to achieve by learning the piano?
Do you want to play a specific song or genre? Or do you simply want to enjoy the process of creating music? Having clear goals can help guide your learning and keep you motivated.
Setting Goals
What is the easiest way to learn piano for adults?
Set goals!
Setting goals can help you stay motivated and track your progress.
Your goals can be as simple as learning a new song each month or mastering a particular piano technique.
It is important to not overstretch or overwork yourself, or to be overly critical. Learning an instrument like the piano will take time.
Learning Piano: Methods
The easiest way to learn piano for adults, and the right method, depends on your personal preferences, available time, and resources.
Traditional In-person Lessons
Traditional in-person lessons provide direct feedback from a professional teacher, which can be beneficial for mastering techniques and avoiding bad habits. However, this method can be time-consuming and costly.
Finding a piano tutor that suits your style of learning can also be troublesome, as some tutors are stricter than others, and some are more easygoing.
Look for advertisements online for piano teachers in your area, as well as for posters and flyers around your local businesses. You can also seek out local music schools and find the best piano teachers in your area that way.
Self-learning (Autodidacticism)
One of the easiest ways to learn piano for adults is to learn the piano on your own, without an online course or books. Self-learning is an excellent choice in the early stages, and extremely rewarding.
While it is very difficult to go from a beginner to an advanced pianist without any additional support, you can make significant advances as a beginner by utilizing YouTube guides and learning your favorite songs by ear.
You can find chords, sheet music, and a wealth of piano guides on YouTube all for free, especially for popular music. Below is a popular video that can help you to understand how to learn music by ear.
The video provides an excellent base for music theory and a guide to how songs are created (chords, harmony, and chord progressions).
Practicing Piano Scales
Practicing piano scales is an integral part of learning to play the piano and another one of the easiest ways to learn the piano for adults. It offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance your musical journey.
Firstly, it improves finger dexterity and hand coordination, which are essential for playing complex pieces. Secondly, it familiarizes you with different key signatures, helping you understand and navigate the keyboard more efficiently.
Moreover, practicing scales aids in developing a keen ear for music, as it allows you to recognize and understand the tonal quality of different keys.
It also serves as a foundation for understanding music theory, which is crucial for reading sheet music and composing your own pieces.
Lastly, regular scale practice can increase your speed and accuracy over time, making your performances more fluid and confident.
Therefore, incorporating scale practice into your daily routine can significantly accelerate your progress and enrich your overall piano learning experience.
One book that can help with learning your scales is Piano Adventures Scale and Chord Book 1: Five-Finger Scales and Chords
The Best Music Theory Apps
The easiest way to learn piano for adults in the modern world is to utilize technology!
Another way to develop your musical understanding and piano skills by yourself is with Apps for your smartphone or tablet.
You can effectively bypass traditional methods of learning the piano and go straight to bite-sized music theory and music exercises on your smart device.
Theory Lessons
Theory Lessons features 39 music theory lessons. The Theory Lessons App is only available for Apple iOS. This App represents excellent value at only $2.99.
Tenuto
Tenuto is a collection of 24 highly customizable exercises designed to enhance your musicality.
Tenuto also includes six musical calculators for accidentals, intervals, scales, chords, analysis symbols, and twelve-tone matrices. Tenuto was $4.99 at the time of writing.
Perfect Ear – Ear Trainer
Perfect Ear teaches you to understand chords, scales, and intervals, to identify melodies by ear, and to sight-read music. Perfect Ear is available for free on Apple iOS and Google Play.
Tomplay Sheet Music
Tomplay offers thousands of classical, pop, and jazz sheet music with backing tracks. Learn and play your favorite works accompanied by high-quality recordings made by professional musicians.
Tomplay is a free sheet music App for Apple iOS and Google Play.
Newzik: Sheet Music Reader
Newzik is another popular free App that allows you to read sheet music on your smartphone or iPad.
Best Music Theory Books
There is a wealth of traditional music theory and piano books available, that you can work through at your own pace. These books are tried and tested methods that are a surefire way to progress on the piano and develop your understanding of music.
The easiest way to learn piano for adults is often to work through some of the most popular music theory books, and many are reviewed below.
Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory: A Complete Self-Study Course for All Musicians (Book & 2 CDs)
Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory: A Complete Self-Study Course for All Musicians” is a comprehensive guide that provides a solid foundation for anyone interested in understanding the fundamentals of music theory.
This book, authored by Andrew Surmani, Karen Farnum Surmani, and Morton Manus, is meticulously designed to cater to both beginners and intermediate learners.
It offers a self-paced study course that covers a broad range of topics from the basics of musical notation to more complex concepts such as scales and key signatures
In this all-in-one theory course, you will learn the essentials of music through 75 concise lessons, practice your music reading and writing skills in the exercises, and improve your listening skills with the enclosed ear training CDs.
You can test your knowledge with a review that completes each of the 18 units. Answers are included in the back of the book for all exercises, ear training, and review.
How to Read Music in 30 Days: Music Theory for Beginners
This best-selling book offers a unique 30-day program that makes learning how to read music simple and fun. Imagine how, in just about a month, you’ll be able to look at sheet music and know exactly what every symbol, sign, and term means.
You’ll know the fundamental theory behind the how, why, and what of the music that’s in front of you!
With over 150 music examples, over 100 written exercises, 10 listening experiences, expert tips, lesson summaries, a final test, and online access to the audio examples, you will steadily progress towards learning:
• The absolute essentials of music theory,
• How rhythm really works,
• The complete system behind musical notes,
• The crucial details of music notation,
• How specific musical symbols give life to all written music
Music Theory For Dummies
Tracking to a typical college-level course, Music Theory For Dummies breaks difficult concepts into manageable chunks and takes into account every aspect of musical production and appreciation.
From the fundamentals of notes and scales to the complexities of expression and instrument tone color, everything is here and everything is clear!
It also examines the latest teaching techniques, all the more important as the study of music is now shown to provide cognitive and learning benefits for both children and adults, which becomes more prevalent at all levels.
- Master major and minor scales, intervals, pitches, and clefs
- Understand basic notation, time signals, tempo, dynamics, and navigation
- Employ melodies, chords, progressions, and phrases to form music
- Compose harmonies and accompanying melodies for voice and instruments
The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios & Cadences
Scale, chord, arpeggio, and cadence studies in all major and minor keys are presented in a convenient two-page format.
This book includes an in-depth 12-page explanation that leads to a complete understanding of the fundamentals of major and minor scales, chords, arpeggios, and cadences.
It also has a clear explanation of scale degrees and a two-page guide to fingering the scales and arpeggios.
In addition, several enrichment options” are provided with exercises such as harmonizing scales, accelerating scales expanding scales, and much more!
The Best Piano Books for Adults
Piano books can form a large part of your practice routine if that style of learning suits you.
Again, this is a traditional, tried, and tested method for learning to play the piano. You can choose to make progress with a beginner book on your own or go through books with a piano tutor step by step, page by page.
Alfred’s Basic Adult All-In-One Piano Course
Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book 1″ is a gem for beginners in the world of piano.
This book, composed by Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco, is designed to provide a quick way to learn to read music by recognizing intervals of 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, and 5ths.
It’s an excellent resource that introduces students to the piano and teaches them the fundamentals of piano playing such as how to sit, hold their hands, and understand finger numbers.
The book also covers the concept of loud and soft tones by using more or less weight on the keys (dynamics).
The book is filled with a variety of songs, from “Amazing Grace” to “Joy to the World!” and “Ode to Joy”. This diversity ensures that learners are exposed to a range of musical styles, enhancing their appreciation for music.
If you’re a beginner looking to embark on your piano journey, this book is an excellent guide and resource. You can find many more piano books by Alfred on the Alfred Music Website.
Easiest Way to Learn Piano for Adults: Adult Piano Adventures All-in-One Piano Course Book 1
Adult Piano Adventures enables the adult beginner to play music for pleasure while developing musical understanding. This comprehensive “All-In-One” book includes lessons, techniques, and theory in a single volume for ease of use.
Book 1 presents the fundamentals of music notation, chord playing, and musical form. The redesigned layout improves information hierarchy, putting focus on key concepts and step-by-step learning.
Online support is now included, with over two hours of instructional videos and audio accompaniment tracks that inspire rhythmic vitality and artistic expression.
Songs include: Amazing Grace * The Can-Can * Catch a Falling Star * Danny Boy * Eine Kleine Nachtmusik * The Entertainer * Greensleeves * The Lion Sleeps Tonight * and many more. Book 2 is available here
The Jazz Piano Book
If you are thinking of delving into the jazz realm and learning to improvise, then you should consider purchasing some jazz piano and theory books. Some of the best books on Jazz are by Mark Levine.
The Jazz Piano Book is a treasure trove for anyone seeking to delve into the world of jazz piano.
As a pianist with a degree in Jazz who has used the Jazz Piano Book and Jazz Theory book extensively whilst studying and learning the piano, I can safely say that these books will not disappoint.
They contain a wealth of information and piano exercises, which will help you to master the fundamentals of jazz, and beyond.
If you are serious about mastering jazz piano, The Jazz Piano Book by Mark Levine is a fantastic option. It’s a well-thought-out, comprehensive guide that will significantly enhance your understanding and performance of jazz piano.
For more on Jazz by Mark Levine, check out the Jazz Theory Book
Primo Piano – Easy Piano Music for Adults. 55 Timeless Piano Songs for Adult Beginners
This book offers a comprehensive learning experience for piano enthusiasts. It contains 55 piano pieces that have been specifically arranged for beginners.
These pieces are simplified versions of complex chords and rhythms, making them accessible to beginners.
The collection is diverse, featuring a wide range of songs from classics to famous pieces, and even international folk songs. This variety in sheet music should help to keep you entertained when you are learning your first piano pieces.
The book is designed with an increasing level of difficulty. The pieces at the beginning are much easier and gradually become more challenging as the book progresses.
This structure keeps learners constantly motivated and accelerates their progress.
To further aid learners, the book comes with free downloadable audio files. These files provide a reference for what each piece should sound like, helping you to learn the pieces accurately.
Piano and Keyboard for Beginners: Comprehensive Guide for Absolute Beginners
Another popular piano book on Amazon is this comprehensive guide by Michael Williams. This book includes a step-by-step guide to playing well-known pieces such as Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and Bach’s Minuet in G.
Preview of the Piano and Keyboard for Beginners:
- Piano and Keyboard Fundamentals
- Terminology Explained
- What is Tempo?
- Major, Minor, and Pentatonic Scales
- Fundamental Rhythms
- Easy Finger Exercises
- How to Stay Focused on Learning and Playing
- Understanding Keys and Scales
- Music Theory
- Reading Music
Best Online Learning Platforms & Courses
Online learning platforms offer flexibility and convenience. You can learn at your own pace, anytime and anywhere. Several online platforms are available, each with its unique approach and resources.
Below are reviews of the most popular online learning platforms and courses.
Playground Sessions Review
Playground Sessions is a piano practice app endorsed by Quincy Jones. It’s not your typical set of piano lessons but more of a piano training/practice app.
The course curriculum is designed to help you learn how to play piano songs using the software. While it’s not the most comprehensive approach to learning piano, it’s a top contender that performs well for beginners.
The app has great lessons and a fantastic song library. If you’re looking to dive right into learning concepts quickly and getting to the “song playing”, this might be something you’d like.
The software is interactive and its song library is huge, allowing you to get straight to playing the piano and learning skills/techniques.
Pianote Review
Pianote is an online piano learning platform that offers a comprehensive and methodical course structure, making it an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate learners.
The platform provides all the necessary knowledge to get started, from choosing the right piano to posture and positioning.
It also covers musical theory, including chords, keys, and cadences, and even guides learners on how to start composing music. The course is designed to develop learners as all-round musicians rather than just teaching songs, emphasizing personal practice.
The platform’s strengths include its enthusiastic teachers with years of experience and a wealth of useful resources. The length of the course is flexible, with new content added regularly, allowing learners to progress at their own pace.
In comparison to other online piano courses, Pianote stands out for its quality teaching and rapid learning process. It is highly recommended for its value for money, especially for beginners with an interest in piano.
Pianote is free for the first trial week and is then $30 per month or $20 a month with an annual subscription (at the time of writing).
Flowkey Review
Flowkey is an innovative online platform that offers a new and modern way to learn piano. It provides an interactive and engaging learning experience, allowing users to practice notes and chords and receive instant feedback.
The platform features a vast library of songs from various genres and skill levels, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced players.
Users can learn at their own pace with features like Wait Mode, which listens to your playing and waits for you to hit the right notes, and Slow Motion, which allows you to play at reduced speed to get comfortable with a piece.
The platform’s success is evident in its user base, which has grown to over 10 million worldwide since its inception in 2015. Flowkey’s innovative technology empowers beginners to start playing their favorite songs immediately.
Experienced players also benefit from this learning method, which allows them to start playing their favorite music faster than with books or other online tutorials.
Flowkey also provides comprehensive online piano lessons that guide users step-by-step through the essentials of playing technique, music theory, and more.
The platform offers eight courses, ranging from beginner to advanced levels, covering topics such as introduction to the piano, playing with both hands, mastering chords, improvising with chords, music reading training, and scales.
Piano in 21 Days
Piano in 21 Days is an online course developed by Jacques Hopkins. It’s designed for adults wanting to learn quickly or set themselves a short-term focused goal.
This course is suitable for busy people. When you sign up for the full program, you get lifetime access, so those 21 days do not have to be consecutive. You will need a piano or keyboard to practice on. Jacques also recommends using a sustain pedal.
The course has several price points, including the Essential package and the Ultimate package, which includes several other 21-day courses, covering topics like ear training, classical music, and more.
The first 5-day workbook is available for free.
Pianoforall Review
‘Pianoforall is one of the most popular online piano courses and has helped over 450,000 students around the world achieve their dream of playing beautiful piano for over a decade.’
The course is designed to take beginners to an intermediate level in a very short amount of time. It’s structured around the idea of understanding and playing chords and chord progressions first, then applying that knowledge to learn songs.
Features
It is divided into 10 interactive eBooks, with embedded audio and video lessons, making it a very interactive experience.
The course is appreciated for its easy-to-follow, step-by-step learning approach. It starts with popular rhythm-style piano, similar to Billy Joel or Norah Jones, then gradually moves on to blues, jazz, ragtime, and improvisation.
It also covers classical music towards the end. The course is designed to make the learning process fun and engaging, with a focus on practicing with real songs from the very beginning.
This approach helps students to learn technical skills and also understand how to make music, so if you are looking for the best solution for how to learn piano for adults, check this course out!
Pricing
PianoForAll offers a one-time payment plan of $79 for instant access to the complete course, which includes future updates for free. This is quite affordable compared to many other online piano courses.
The course also comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, which makes it a risk-free investment for beginners who are unsure if the course will suit their learning style.
Overall
Overall, PianoForAll is a well-structured, fun, and affordable way to learn piano from the comfort of your home.
Simply Piano Review
Simply Piano, developed by JoyTunes, is a highly popular piano-learning app that has won several awards. The app is designed to provide an educational and fun platform for learning piano quickly and easily.
Features
It uses videos and interactive lessons to teach, similar to other piano apps like Playground Sessions and Skoove.
The app is compatible with any piano or keyboard as it uses your device’s mic to recognize notes. It offers a 7-day free trial, after which it costs $149.99 per year, $89.99 for six months, or $59.99 for three months.
Simply Piano provides a variety of courses, songs, and short practice sessions to keep your skills sharp. It also offers printable sheet music for practice away from the app.
Cons
Despite its many strengths, Simply Piano does have a few drawbacks. It doesn’t allow you to skip ahead in the courses, which can be frustrating for students who know what they want to learn.
The app also moves quite slowly, which might not suit learners who want to progress faster. It doesn’t teach advanced music reading or theory, and it’s more geared toward those who want to play popular music.
Overall
Despite these limitations, Simply Piano is a solid choice for beginners and those who want a structured, interactive learning experience.
Piano Marvel
Piano Marvel is another option and solution for how to learn piano for adults. It is also available as an App on Apple iOS.
It is a comprehensive online piano learning platform that stands out for its innovative features and solid fundamentals in theory and technique. The platform is well-rounded, offering a balance between learning to play songs and understanding music theory.
Features
For premium members, Piano Marvel has the largest song library of any course on this list by some margin, with thousands and thousands of titles to choose from across many genres.
One of the standout features of Piano Marvel is the ability to upload sheet music in music XML and PDF formats. This allows users to learn any song they want inside Piano Marvel, providing a personalized learning experience.
The platform offers a unique Practice Mode, which waits for the user to play, allowing them to work through the notes and rhythms at their own pace.
Piano Marvel includes hundreds of high-quality video lessons to guide users as they learn. These video lessons are conveniently located just below the title of the song in the music view.
Extra Features
Another impressive feature is the Standard Assessment of Sight Reading (SASR), which not only tests users’ sight-reading skills but also helps improve them.
The platform also offers a Play Mode, which provides scores and detailed feedback to help users avoid practicing mistakes and learn piano faster. The Piano Marvel Dashboard gives an overview of the user’s progress and helps you navigate to your chosen songs.
Pricing
In terms of pricing, Piano Marvel offers a subscription plan that costs about $16 per month, which is quite affordable compared to many other online piano courses.
Zebra Keys Review
Zebra Keys is an online platform that offers free piano lessons for individuals of all skill levels.
The service provides a comprehensive and structured approach to learning the piano, making it a useful resource for both beginners and intermediate players.
Features
The website is user-friendly and interactive, featuring a virtual piano keyboard known as the Z-Board. Users can click directly on the keypad of the Z-Board to play a key, which is a helpful feature for those learning to identify notes and chords.
Zebra Keys offers a list of 50 free lessons that cover a wide range of topics, from the basics of the piano keyboard to music notation and beginner piano songs.
The lessons are well-organized and easy to follow, with flash demos available for visual learners.
In addition to the lessons, the website also provides resources such as a free virtual piano chord chart and piano technique lessons. Users can learn to play popular songs like “Silent Night,” “Auld Lang Syne,” and “The First Noel”.
Zebra Keys also features fan videos, where users share their experiences and progress. This creates a sense of community and can be motivating for other learners.
Book Reviews
Zebra Keys also provides reviews of piano-related books, offering users additional resources for learning.
One such book reviewed on the site is “How to Play the Piano Despite Years of Lessons” by Ward Cannel and Fred Marx, which is recommended for those who have some experience with the piano and want to understand musical concepts.
Hoffman Academy Review
For complete beginners, Hoffman Academy seems to be a solid choice.
The platform’s teaching methodology is engaging and easy to follow, with lessons that cover the basics such as the difference between high and low keys on the keyboard and the sounds they make.
Features
The lessons also include classic beginner songs like “Hot Cross Buns”. This approach, combined with the light-hearted stories and games, could make learning piano enjoyable for adult beginners.
For intermediate learners, the effectiveness of Hoffman Academy might depend on the individual’s learning style and goals.
The platform’s lessons don’t cover much musical theory, but the downloadable content does teach about staff and noteheads. However, the lessons don’t teach any modern songs, which might be a drawback for some learners.
For advanced learners, Hoffman Academy might not be the best choice. The platform’s lessons and exercises are primarily geared toward children.
It’s worth noting that adult learners tend to be goal-oriented and self-directed, seeking creative self-expression.
Overall
While Hoffman Academy does offer self-paced lessons, the content might not fully cater to the unique learning needs of adult learners.
SKOOVE Review – QUICK PIANO FOUNDATIONS
Image: Skoove
Skoove is a web-based piano learning app that claims to be “the easiest way to learn piano”. It uses popular music to teach musical concepts like reading music and chords and is also available for Apple IOS and Android on Google Play
Features
The app works with your computer or iOS device to ensure you’re playing the right notes and rhythms. As soon as you learn something, you’ll put it into practice in a fun piano tune. You’ll get started playing simple melodies right away, and learn theory as you go.
Skoove is a subscription-based program that offers premium memberships of one month, three months, or a year at a time.
Pricing
At the time of writing, the 12-month package is $12.50/month (cheapest option), though you can also subscribe for 3 months ($19.99/month), or for 1 month ($29.99).
For a taste of Skoove before committing to a premium membership, the standard, or free, package includes three free lessons.
Overall
Skoove specializes in teaching music theory, sight-reading, and listening, which is done by making you learn simple concepts little by little and step by step.
It is especially handy for complete beginners as Skoove can help you get into melodies, and rhythms, and synchronize what you hear and see by lighting up the sheet music and keyboard interface together.
A unique feature of Skoove is that it can work just using the mic on your computer or iOS device, meaning that it’s compatible with acoustic pianos as well as digital ones.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is a well-known platform for a wide range of online courses, including piano lessons.
It’s recommended to check the course curriculum, instructor qualifications, and user reviews before enrolling in a course. All courses on LinkedIn Learning are available to everyone for free for the 1-month free trial.
Piano Lessons: 1 Fundamentals
Piano Lessons: 1 Fundamentals is a piano course available on LinkedIn Learning.
‘Music professor and acclaimed accompanist Hugh Sung has created a comprehensive video library of piano lessons and clear, over-the-shoulder shots of performances of classic tunes.
Watch at your own pace while you learn fundamentals like reading sheet music, finger placement, and posture, and practice playing melody and rhythm with the right and left hands.
The piano exercises in this beginner-level course cover classics like “Greensleeves” and “Scarborough Fair” at different tempos, so you can slowly increase your pace as you get more comfortable at the keyboard.
Hugh’s enthusiasm for piano is contagious and his lessons emphasize learning to play popular songs using a step-by-step method that any level of player can follow.’
Piano Lessons: Teach Yourself to Play
Piano Lessons: Teach Yourself to Play is another course available on LinkedIn Learning, for beginner pianists.
‘With a basic understanding of the piano playing fundamentals, you can unlock hours of enjoyment for yourself and your listeners—and it’s never too late to get started.
In this beginner’s course, discover how to confidently approach those 88 keys so you can start playing your favorite songs.
Learn proper techniques for sitting at the piano, hand position, reading notes and rhythms, and playing chords. Learn about melodic and harmonic intervals, syncopated notes, triads, progressions, triplets, and more.’
Flowkey vs. Simply Piano
Flowkey
Flowkey and Simply Piano are both excellent piano-learning apps that cater well to beginners. Flowkey is a multi-platform piano learning app that offers a variety of songs across genres like classical, pop, film & TV favorites, jazz, and more.
Flowkey offers a free trial version and a subscription plan that costs $19.99 per month. The app is quick and easy to install and can be used with an acoustic grand or upright piano, or a keyboard that can be plugged directly into your device.
However, it’s worth noting that Flowkey doesn’t have a built-in metronome, which could be a drawback for some learners.
Simply Piano
On the other hand, Simply Piano is a highly popular piano learning app that uses videos and interactive lessons to teach.
It’s compatible with any piano or keyboard and offers a 7-day free trial, after which it costs $149.99 per year, $89.99 for six months, or $59.99 for three months.
Simply Piano provides a variety of courses, songs, and short practice sessions to keep your skills sharp. However, it doesn’t allow you to skip ahead in the courses, which can be frustrating for students who know what they want to learn.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both apps are great for beginners, but they have different strengths.
Flowkey is a good choice for those who want a wide variety of songs and a focus on learning to read sheet music, while Simply Piano is ideal for those who prefer a structured, interactive learning experience.
Learn Piano With Jazer Lee
One Youtube channel that is aimed at beginner pianists is ‘Learn Piano with Jazer Lee’. Here you will find a wealth of video content that will help you with chords, scales, exercises, ear training, mastering your first pieces, and more.
Practice Tips for Adult Learners
Practicing regularly is key to mastering the piano. It’s important to set aside dedicated practice time and stick to it.
Start with short practice sessions and gradually increase the duration as your endurance improves.
Remember, consistency is more important than the length of each session.
FAQ
How Long to Learn Piano?
The time it takes to learn piano as an adult varies greatly depending on the individual’s dedication, practice routine, and previous musical experience.
However, with consistent practice, most adults can learn to play basic songs within a few months.
How Hard Is It to Learn the Piano?
While learning piano as an adult can be challenging, it’s certainly not impossible. Adults often have advantages such as a better understanding of the value of practice and the ability to set and follow through with their own learning goals.
How Much Time Should I Spend Practicing Piano Each Day?
It’s recommended to practice piano for at least 15-30 minutes a day. However, even 5 minutes of focused, deliberate practice can be beneficial.
Can I Teach Myself Piano as an Adult?
Yes, with the wealth of resources available online today, it’s entirely possible to teach yourself piano. However, getting a teacher or joining a learning program can provide structure and guidance that can accelerate your progress.
What Are the Best Resources?
Many online platforms and apps offer piano lessons tailored for adults. One such platform is Pianote, which provides a comprehensive learning method, a song library, and a community of piano players.
Conclusion
Learning piano as an adult is not only possible but also beneficial. It can serve as a fulfilling hobby, a cognitive enhancer, and a source of emotional well-being.
The key to successful learning lies in understanding the unique needs of adult learners, as outlined by Malcolm Knowles, which includes understanding the purpose of learning, building on existing experiences, and having a sense of responsibility for their learning.
Moreover, piano practice has been shown to improve cognitive function, mood, and quality of life in older adults. Happy practicing!
