Here are some helpful tips that adults may find especially helpful when learning how to play the piano.

 

Learn one hand at a time. There is no trophy for instantly playing with both hands together! Slow down and you will actually see faster learning. Be sure you are playing the correct notes and playing at an even rhythm.

 

Count out loud. This is perhaps the most valuable musical advice I ever received. This forces you to be aware of whether you are on the beat or not. Whenever a student says "I count in my head," believe me, I can tell. Their playing is almost always uneven and rushed. The sooner you start counting out loud, the easier and more automatic it becomes.

 

Find efficient fingering. If you are a novice, don’t be ashamed to write in the fingering on the score to help you learn it properly. Even top players do this. This will aid in smoother playing and is very important for more complicated passages.

 

Work those scales! Practicing musical scales for each key isn't very exciting, but it's an important skill in piano playing. This will help you nail down your fingering habits and get a better sense of what notes are in each key. Having a strong foundation in understanding the scales will help you when you're ready to start improvising. The more you know about note and key relationships, the easier it will be to simply choose a key and make up a tune as you go.

 

Remember to take a break. The quality of your practice is far more important than the number of hours you sit at the piano. Piano playing can be mentally and physically exhausting and over-practicing can actually slow down your progress. If you keep making the same mistake in the same spot over and over, take a break. Go for a walk. Have a snack. Do a little stretching. You'll notice that after a short break, you'll find it much easier to concentrate again.

 

Finally, remember to be kind and patient with yourself. You should be extremely proud of yourself for embarking on this musical journey. Most people cannot do what you are doing simply because they don't have the discipline and determination to make it happen. They will conjure up excuses why they "can't learn piano" and spend hours melting away in front of the television - but not you! Every lesson and practice session brings you closer to mastering the piano and for this you should be very proud!