The paths of life which lead an adult to approach a musical instrument—either returning to it after an earlier stage or starting for the first time—are varied:
- The kids have grown and moved out, leaving you with spare time, disposable income, and a perceived lack of purpose.
- You are taking a sabbatical.
- You are hitting a “mid-life crisis”
- You tried it before and have always regretted quitting.
These and other factors are the drivers which eventually lead a fully grown adult to search the internet or local ads for piano lessons. Invariably, the first question they ask is: “Is it too late now?”
The short answer is no. The cliché answer is “It’s never too late.” But if you have been following me long enough, you know that as an educator, I feel it is my moral duty to do two things:
- To tell you the truth.
- To go beyond a cliché response aimed at closing a sale, and instead elaborate further.
While the truth is that it is not too late to start, we must have an honest discussion about what is realistically achievable.
Setting the Goal: Recreational Mastery
Drawing from my nearly 20 years of experience teaching piano to learners of all ages, let’s talk about goals.
The almost totality of adult learners who approach me are looking to build the skills to play recreationally. They want to play at a gathering where everyone sings, to accompany a soloist, to play “Songs” they like (pop arrangements), or to accompany themselves while singing.
This goal is achievable. A person with average musical ability and enough self-discipline to put in 45 minutes of daily focused, mindful practice, can expect to accompany a small repertoire of all-time hits like “Let it Be,” “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” and “Imagine” in six months of weekly lessons, tops. Nothing fancy: just basic chords in the right hand with appropriate voice leading, supported by a bass in the left hand. All of that comes in my syllabus with the associated ear training and theory/music literacy work required to be competent and independent, as opposed to learning by rote.
Fast forward two and a half or three years, and I see no reason why the same person could not reach a level of competence where they are able to:
- Harmonize a melody in all keys.
- Pick up what a person is singing and accompany them in any key.
- Freely improvise.
- Explore new repertoire independently using lead sheets or recordings.
The Classical and Contemporary Path
Another achievable goal, if pop music isn’t your thing, is to play simplified arrangements of the Great Classics (Moonlight Sonata, Nocturne in E flat) or contemporary pieces by composers like Einaudi, Nils Frahm, or Yann Tiersen.
These pieces present technical challenges that can fly above a budding adult’s abilities, but with the right technical preparation and literacy, the average person can perform a Grade 4 type arrangement of “Moonlight Sonata” in a couple of years, or a Grade 2 arrangement of an Einaudi piece in less than a year. I have assisted students in achieving that exact goal; they now play for themselves at home to relax after a day’s work.
What is Unrealistic: The Truth
I must also outline what is not a realistic goal. Whether you are 25, 45, or 65, your brain has stopped growing in the same way a child’s does. Your identity is formed.
If you wish you could play Rachmaninoff’s Third Concerto or Liszt’s “La Campanella,” the answer is straightforward: Forget about it. The window to become a virtuoso in the top 1% is closed for two reasons:
- Time: You likely do not have the 5+ hours of daily practice required to reach that level over a decade.
- Biology: Your brain is fully formed. While we can create new neural pathways (i.e. “You never stop learning”), the opportunity to create the deep musical pathways during the growing stage has passed.
My job and my moral duty is to give you realistic expectations, not Instagram reel fantasies.
Three Proofs of Concept: Real Adult Journeys
To show you what success actually looks like, here are three students I have taught:
Student 1 (D.): The Independent Explorer
D. started around the pandemic. He is musically cultured but physically “clumsy,” which results in rhythmic challenges. I accepted these limitations early on. Instead of fighting them, we focused on his great ear. To this day, he has acquired a very good understanding of chords, keys, and transposing. He is proactive—he suggests and explores new tunes independently. He isn’t a virtuoso, but he can be part of any musical gathering and have fun. A win in my books.
Student 2 (C.): The Methodical Goal-Setter
C. came to me specifically to play Einaudi or similar contemporary easy-listening piano music. He is an average person, not particularly gifted, but he does the work. He understands the importance of technique and musical literacy and practices consistently. In just about a year, he is playing Grade 2 arrangements of the music he loves. He achieved exactly what he set out to do.
Student 3 (D2.): The Transitioning Musician
A proficient guitarist and a real musician. He had passion but needed to adapt to the piano’s different technique and the literacy required to use lead sheets. In less than a year, he understands harmonic progressions and voice leading in keys with up to 4 sharps or flats. He understood the importance of technical exercises and reading notes to the extent required to use lead sheets.
The Digital Studio Advantage
I know that for most adults, the biggest hurdle isn’t the piano—it’s the commute. This is why I’ve optimized my teaching for the modern world. Whether we meet in person or via online lessons, the experience is the same:
- Zero Commute: You learn from the comfort of your own home, on your own instrument.
- Integrated Architecture: My structured syllabus is designed to work seamlessly with digital tools, giving you the same results.
- Global Flexibility: While I’m based in Cork, this model allows me to work with students across different time zones who are looking for this specific, honest approach to the keys.
To get the most out of our time, I’ve put together a guide on the ideal online piano lesson setup for every budget.
Final Thoughts
I approach adult tuition as a collaboration between peers. I provide the architecture and a Structured Curriculum for progress—so that you can achieve a musical goal that fits your life.
If you are in Cork or anywhere in the online world and want to discuss a realistic, honest path to the piano, get in touch with me today.
