If you are interested in learning the piano, or having one of your children learn the piano, inevitably you will ask the question, how hard is it to learn the piano?  How much work is this going to take and how long will it take to get there?  Just like learning anything new, there will be initial challenges to overcome.

The hardest part of learning the piano is #1) learning the notes, #2) remembering the music terms, #3) finding the time to practice, and #4) playing with both hands together.  These concepts will challenge the beginner, but they are hurdles that will be overcome with a little patience and persistence.

Let’s take a closer look and see what about it makes it difficult and how you can overcome it.

 

The Hardest Parts of Learning the Piano and How You Can Do It!

 

Learning the notes.

When you are first starting to learn piano, learning the notes can be difficult.  As you learn the notes on the staff, the names, and the connection of where to find those notes on the piano, it takes time and memorization before it becomes natural.

You can learn notes through flashcards (you can get my flashcards for subscribing to my email),  or through an app such as Note Rush.  Just start on the right hand, with the notes C, D, and E.  Then add F, G, and E.  Then finally, finish off learning A, and B.  Once you have the first octave on the right hand, start learning the left!

For learning the notes names on the piano, check this graphic out!  It has helped countless students in learning the note names on the piano.  You may enjoy it, too!   Piano Key Names: An Easy Way to Learn is the full article on learning the note names on the piano.

Remembering the music terms.

Most of us don’t use the words used in music in our everyday language.  Remembering all the words and what they mean and what they refer to can be difficult.  Learning what the symbols mean, what the words on the page refer to, and how they correspond to your response on the piano is a like learning another language.

That being said, it doesn’t take long to figure out a few of the basic music terms.  It’s pretty easy to look it up if you aren’t sure after that!  Let’s get you started on a basic list of music terms for you to know:

• Basic Music Theory: this article includes basic music terms, music notes and rhythms, and is basically just a great overall article to get you familiar with the basics!
• List of Dynamics in Music | Easy Music Theory

 

Finding time to practice.

Taking the time to practice every day, can be one of the most challenging aspects.  But if you have a solid scheduled time and you stick with it, you can conquer this difficulty.

Here are some tools to help you stay motivated to practice.  You may want some ideas of some different ways to take on practicing.  Which is why I put together 21 Fun Ways to Practice Piano.

[pdf-embedder url=”https://pianotels.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Practice-Goals.pdf” title=”Piano Practice Goals”]

 

While it may be difficult to find the time, you will find it rewarding!  It’s amazing how much better you can become with just a few minutes every day.  Keep going at it, little by little, and it will start to become a habit that leads to wonderful results.  Practicing brings great results!  So while you may find this a challenge initially, it is definitely worth overcoming.

 

Playing both hands together.

Learning to coordinate both the right hand and the left hand can challenge the student because you have to remember two sets of notes and coordinate two hands at the same time.  It’s a serious multi-tasking activity!

You start with one hand a time.  Learn the right hand and the left hand separate until you feel pretty comfortable with the passages.  What’s amazing, is that you will start to gain some muscle memory.  When the right and left become comfortable separately, then try putting them together, little by little.

The trick is just to make sure that you are only taking little bits and pieces of music to practice at a time.  You don’t want to take on the whole song at once.  Begin with a measure, then 2 measures, then more.  Little by little, put the hands together and work your way through the song.

 

Is Learning the Piano Worth It?

 

Learning the piano can be a challenge — but that is one of the reasons why it makes it so beneficial!   Playing the piano is one of the only activities in the world that uses both sides of your brain at once.  It strengthens those muscles by building more synapses.  (Check out this article for more on the effects of piano playing and the brain: https://elitemusic.ca/research-shows-piano-lessons-alter-brain-function/)

Because you are strengthening the brain while you play, you are receiving benefits such as better memory, better language skills, and improved math and counting skills.

You build character traits such as patience, diligence, and working hard to achieve results.

Playing the piano gives you the opportunity to branch out and receive a greater circle of friends as you perform and accompany others.  It gives you another reason to connect with other people.  Playing the piano can be very interactive and creates friends fast as you sit and play and discuss your enjoyment of the music.

Playing the piano is also beneficial for your emotional state as it relieves stress.  Allowing your mind to focus on just one thing — playing the music — takes away the stress of all the other things going on in your brain at that time.  It helps to refresh your emotional status as you let it go on the ivory keys.

Of course, the obvious answer has to be stated as well: playing the piano is fun!  It’s amazing to be able to sit at the piano and play.  To create something is absolutely fulfilling for the soul!  No matter what age you are, everyone can find enjoyment in simply creating something beautiful, intense, silly, or whatever it is you can think of, simply with the tap of your fingers.

 

 

Is it Hard to Learn Piano at an Older Age?

 

A common myth is that people think that they are too old to learn to start playing the piano.  Most piano students start when they are children, so if I am an adult and want to start playing, is it too late?

Adult learners are some of the best piano students I have ever had!  They pick up on the materials much quicker.  They are self-motivated, and they stick with it because they want to, not because someone told them to.

I have found that adult learners can excel into an intermediate level within a couple of months while it takes young students several years to get to that point.

 

Can Anyone Play the Piano?

 

The piano can be learned by anyone if they are willing to try and work hard.  Mozart started playing tunes by the time he was three and composing by the time he was 4.  I found a site in my research that said there is a man in another accredited orchestra who began his music career at age 60.

If you are blind, you can play the music by ear.  If you are deaf, just remember Beethoven who completely lost his hearing by 46 yet still wrote many famous songs.

If you have a lot of musical background or if you have none, everyone can learn.  We all have to start somewhere!

 

How Long Does it Take to Learn How to Play the Piano?

 

This is a great question and one that you have complete control over.  Learning how to play the piano is like learning another language.  The more you immerse yourself, the quicker you will pick up on it.  Learn a word here or there and it will take your whole life to get a grip on the language.  But with a little bit of commitment, you will advance quickly and master it.

I would suggest dedicating 30-60 minutes of practice and learning per day to begin with.  Keep that pattern as consistent as possible, but do allow yourself a break and take off a day or two.  Make a practice plan and stick with it.

Just make practicing a habit, just like brushing your teeth.  A good regime would be 30-60 minutes a day on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  You have a couple days off so you don’t get burned out, but the consistency of those days of practice will really pay off.

Of course, every person learns at different speeds, but I could safely say that if a person is putting in 30-60 minutes a day, a student will move from beginner to intermediate within the year.  Give yourself a couple years of dedicated practice and you can seriously progress and move to more advanced material. 

 

Should I Take Piano Lessons?

 

Most teachers could tell you that piano students stay with piano longer when they have a teacher with set lessons.  If you have a good teacher, then that teacher can work with you and give you what you need individually and assign you with what works best with your strengths and weaknesses.

Taking lessons will produce greater results quicker, especially if you are self-motivated and driven.  Often, the teacher will go at the speed you prefer and if you are wanting to learn quickly, he/she will provide what you need in order to do so!

If you do decide to use a teacher, you will definitely want to be careful about choosing your teacher and how you will take lessons.  Research and carefully evaluate what it is you are looking for and what would work best for you.

Know what to look for when choosing a good piano teacher.

 

Related articles:

Teaching Yourself Piano: Your Complete Guide 

Teach Yourself How to Play the Hymns in 7 Steps

What Is the Best Time of Day to Practice Piano

7 Things You Can Do Today That Will Change Your Piano Practice Forever