Key takeaways 

In a nutshell, here are some of the key reasons why you should learn the piano as an adult:

• Playing the piano is a great form of escapism and stress relief
• Picking up any new skill later in life keeps your mind active and engaged, but the piano in particular has been shown to improve attention span and problem-solving abilities
• You have the freedom to choose what to learn and how often to practise
• As an adult, you’re more aware of the learning methods that work best for you
• You can progress at your own pace without external pressure
• You’re likely to have a stronger passion for learning the piano than a child would
• You may be able to dedicate more time to practice

The benefits of learning piano as an adult 

You get to choose how you learn

As an adult learning the piano, you have the freedom to choose how you learn, making the experience more enjoyable and suited to your needs. There are plenty of resources available, including YouTube tutorials, learning apps (more on these later), and private lessons. And when you know what works best, you can combine methods to further your progress.

You also have control over the music you play. Instead of starting with nursery rhymes, you can learn songs you enjoy and stay motivated to master them. 

There’s no pressure

Learning the piano as an adult comes without the pressure often associated with childhood lessons. There’s no need to follow a strict grading system or prepare for exams unless you choose to. 

This freedom allows you to focus purely on enjoyment. You can explore different styles of music, experiment with techniques, and progress at your own pace. Plus, you get to decide how often you practise – whether that’s daily (we recommend this for consistent progress) or just when you have spare time. Whenever you choose to practise, it will be because you want to, not because of external pressure. 

With age comes discipline

As an adult, learning the piano comes with a key advantage – discipline. You understand the value of consistency, making it easier to establish a practice routine and stick to it. 

Unlike children, who often need reminders to practise, you can structure your learning in a way that fits your schedule. Whether it’s short daily sessions or focused weekend practice, you are in control. 

This self-discipline allows you to progress steadily. However, don’t get ahead of yourself when starting out. Set realistic goals, follow a routine that suits your lifestyle, and make sure it’s always enjoyable and rewarding – we’ll discuss how you can do this further on in the article. 

Where to start learning piano as an adult

Know why you’ve decided to learn

Before you start learning the piano, really think about why you want to play – this will be the core motivator you need to take through your whole journey.

When things get tough and you’re trying to master a particularly complex section of a piece, your reason for picking up the skill in the first place will be the thing that keeps you going, whether it’s to relax, express creativity, or finally tick it off your bucket list.

You might also find that you have a bit of a lull in your practice routine. Maybe life gets busy and you haven’t had the time to sit down at the piano, but reminding yourself of your end goal and the thing that inspired you in the first place should excite you and drive you to keep at it.

Choose your piano

Of course, the most important factor to think about, and the centrepiece of your setup, is… the piano.

Not all pianos are the same; the one you choose will have an impact on how enjoyable and smooth your learning journey is, whether that’s due to the action of the keys, the functions and modes included, or the quality of the samples and polyphony available – if you’re purchasing a digital piano.

To pick the right one, you need to decide which features are the most important to you.

Do you want a digital piano that feels strikingly similar to an acoustic, with all the benefits of contemporary design? Or do you want an entry-level model that will help you learn the basics before you decide if you want to stick with the piano long-term? And more specifically, what kind of sounds do you want? Do you want to pay more for higher-quality samples?

Once you begin looking for a piano, the answers to these questions will become clear. If you’re just figuring out whether or not the piano is for you, take a look at our favourite digital pianos under £1000. Alternatively, our list of the best pianos for beginners is a superb starting point for a range of budgets.

If you’re looking for an authentic-feeling digital piano, the G4M Sonori Low Top is ideal, with a weighted hammer-action key bed that enables you to practise techniques and dynamics that you can easily transfer to an acoustic and a high-fidelity sound engine. The Kawai KDP75 is another strong option, featuring samples from the Shigeru SK-EX concert grand piano.

For lower budgets, the Keynote Contemporary Digital Piano is a great option. This provides high-quality sound, weighted keys, and Bluetooth connectivity, and its unique aesthetic makes this digital piano really stand out. Meanwhile, the Casio CDP S110 is lightweight, portable, and even runs on batteries if you are looking to transport the piano, making it ideal for small spaces or travel. 

If you want a premium playing experience, the Yamaha YDP 145 is worth considering. It features Yamaha’s CFX concert grand piano samples for a rich, expressive tone and has graded hammer-action keys that closely mimic an acoustic piano. 

For more of a general overview, check out our guide to digital piano brands – here, you’ll find all the best names on the market right now, what they’re known for, and who each brand is suited to.

Select the right learning method

There are many ways to learn the piano, which is great because you can find the method that suits you best. Luckily, many digital pianos come with not only learning modes and functions but also trial periods and subscriptions to various tutorial apps. 

Online courses like Flowkey offer step-by-step video lessons, interactive exercises, and an extensive library of songs. The video lessons, in particular, are ideal if you want to learn at your own pace and fit practice around your schedule.

Three-month access to Flowkey is included with Yamaha pianos, such as the Yamaha YDP 145.

For sheet music and feedback, as well as lessons, check out Skoove, Tomplay, and Zapiano. The Kawai KDP75 includes a three-month Skoove and Tomplay trial, along with a free introductory course with Zapiano. 

The Casio Music Space app is another great resource to use if you purchase a Casio digital piano. It gives you sheet music to play along to and allows you to alter your sound with the Live Concert Simulator.

The most comprehensive and personalised learning method, however, is one-to-one tuition. A private teacher can help correct bad habits early, provide feedback, and keep you motivated. This is a great option for structured learning, though it can be more expensive and less flexible. 

You don’t have to stick to just one method – combining an app with occasional lessons or an online course can be highly effective. Ultimately, the best way to learn is whatever keeps you playing and enjoying the process. 

Set realistic expectations

We mentioned earlier that you should always keep in mind your core reason for learning the piano. But to ensure you reach your overall goal, don’t set yourself super high expectations that will be difficult to reach. Be practical in the milestones you want to hit – even if it’s just to master the first bar of a piece of music!

Start with a simple song you love and give yourself time to learn it properly. Progress won’t happen overnight, but small, consistent improvements will add up over time. 

Be patient with yourself. Coordinating both hands, reading music, and building finger strength all take time. To that end, avoid comparing yourself to others – focus on your own progress. 

Finally, celebrate small achievements! Whether it’s playing a full song or mastering a tricky section, give yourself credit for these wins. 

Establish a practice routine

Like you should set realistic expectations, you should also set yourself a reasonable practice routine that will fit into your schedule without being stressful.

Even 15 minutes a day can make a difference, so aim for consistency rather than long, infrequent sessions. 

Start with a warm-up, such as scales or finger exercises, to get your hands moving. Then, focus on a specific skill, such as a new chord progression or a tricky section of a song. 

Finish with something fun, like playing a favourite piece or improvising. This makes practice more rewarding and helps you stay motivated.

You should also keep your routine flexible, and don’t worry if you miss a day – just pick it up again when you can. 

Our top tips  

1. Take your time – it’s better to play slowly and build skill than rush into a piece of music and make loads of mistakes 
2. Choose pieces of music you enjoy  
3. Break the piece down into small pieces 
4. Repeat the challenging sections over again 
5. Find a community of pianists to learn from  
6. Similarly, practise playing with others  
7. Record yourself playing so you can identify areas of improvement 

FAQs  

Is it harder to learn piano as an adult?

Learning piano as an adult is generally harder than for children due to cognitive flexibility and muscle memory differences. However, adults have better discipline, problem-solving skills, and motivation, which can compensate. With consistent practice and guidance, adults can become very skilled in playing the piano.

How long does it take to learn piano as an adult?

Learning piano as an adult typically takes several months to years, depending on goals and practice consistency. Basic skills may take a few months, while intermediate proficiency can take 1 – 2 years. Complete mastery requires years of dedicated effort, but progress is steady with structured learning and practice. 

Can you learn piano as an adult by yourself?

Learning piano as an adult by yourself is entirely possible with online tutorials, books, and apps. Self-learning requires discipline, structured practice, and feedback methods like recording yourself. While a teacher accelerates progress, many adults learn piano through self-guided study and persistence. 

Final thoughts 

There are many benefits to learning the piano as an adult, and hopefully, you’ve taken away some useful pieces of advice if you’re embarking on your own piano-playing journey. The bottom line is that you should enjoy it, this is your new skill to pick up and you get to decide how and when you learn. In time, we guarantee you’ll come to realise just how rewarding playing the piano is.

Want to learn more? Discover more piano-related content via the links below.

The Best Ways to Learn Piano 

The Ultimate Guide to Piano Keys 

What Do the Pedals on a Piano do? Here’s the Rundown