Many piano lovers return to the piano after a long break. It’s important to think about why you’re doing it, says Melanie Spanswick, and be realistic about your ambitions and routine.
An increasingly growing number of adults dream of playing the piano again, rediscovering what had once been a wonderful, fulfilling pastime. It’s relatively easy to pick up from where you left off a few years (or maybe decades) earlier too. And it’s surprising just how much information will have been retained. It might return slowly, over a period of a few months, or it may be still at the forefront of your mind. With some careful, consistent practice, you will be playing again in no time, and with a renewed vigour and love for the instrument.
If you plan to revisit your piano playing (which indeed you must have done, because you’re reading this article!), bear a few ideas in mind.
INSTRUMENT
Having access to a piano is a prerequisite! If you haven’t already got one, consider acquiring an acoustic piano or digital keyboard. Digital instruments are compact and useful for smaller spaces, but they generally don’t have the same ‘touch’ or depth of key bed needed for more advanced piano playing. Start by researching the market, and always sample your intended purchase first, ensuring you really like and feel comfortable playing it. (A good way to start is by reading Pianist magazine's very own Piano Buyer’s Guide 2025.)
GOALS
Why are you revisiting the piano? There are a vast array of reasons, and it may be helpful to think more about your reasons, because they will shape the direction of your playing. Goals can be useful in motivating your playing. They provide a focus: as each goal is met, your piano playing will gain confidence and you should take a sense of achievement from each stage. Perhaps your ambition is to take that elusive exam (the one you nearly took last time), or even a piano performance or teaching diploma. It may be to play a particular piece, a genre or style of music, or you may want to learn to improvise.
The desire to take part in a competition invigorates many returning pianists (there are many music festivals across the UK, catering specifically for the adult amateur pianist), and for others, taking a piano course could be a decisive catalyst. Adult pianists tend to team up and play together, with duets proving particularly popular. There are also adult piano clubs, adding a social frisson to the whole experience. Writing a list of aims and goals could help to clarify your decisions. Previous issues of Pianist magazine have explored both piano clubs (issue 79) and more generally the subject of returning to the instrument after a break (issue 82): you can acquire back issues here.
TEACHER
A professional piano teacher will be able to expertly guide you on this piano adventure. It is possible to learn to play without one; YouTube videos abound with lots of excellent information, and there are many books, magazines and piano courses on offer. But to learn effectively and make good progress, a teacher is invaluable. Not only can they alleviate technical and musical issues on the spot, but they will also provide the necessary encouragement and the inevitable ‘shoulder to cry on’ when the path becomes thorny. You should seek a fully qualified, recommended teacher; begin by searching online or by contacting EPTA (European Piano Teachers Association) for teachers local to you.
There are a few piano tutor books specifically oriented to returning adult pianists, but a teacher will also make useful, appropriate repertoire suggestions, and you will probably know where your interests lie. Aim to concentrate on a few choice pieces and work at them until they are comfortably under your fingers.
PRACTICE
Implementing a practice schedule will be vital; decide how much time you have available in your week. Aim at first for five days’ practice each week. Ideally you would find an hour a day (or at least 30 minutes) for five days, with the sixth day for a lesson (if you have one), and then a break on the seventh day. Always take rests; an hour might be too long in one swoop, so break it into two sessions (or three).
When practising, sub-divide your time. Many students like to begin with sight-reading or a few technical exercises or scales, moving onto repertoire only when warmed up (both mentally and physically). Break down pieces into small sections, working assiduously, until issues have been overcome. Resist the urge to constantly play pieces through. Once you’ve practised a piece fruitfully in small chunks, allow yourself the luxury of ‘performing’ it at the end of a practice session.
Tension is a technical issue which particularly affects adult learners. This is where a good teacher is imperative. At no point should piano playing hurt or become uncomfortable; flexibility in the arms, hands and wrists is so important and must be encouraged from the outset. Be aware of the physical aspect of your performance, and aim to feel relaxed and comfortable when you play.
AMBITIONS
What can you realistically achieve as an adult returner? This will depend on aptitude, but within 6-12 months you should be at least back to your ‘old’ standard, and will have probably surpassed it. Patience is a virtue, and it’s certainly required when re-learning any skill. Try to be positive at all times, giving yourself permission to make inevitable mistakes, correcting them with compassion, working steadily towards your goals. Never give up and please feel free to write in telling us about your experience and achievements. Good luck!
To summarise...
6 Top Tips for Returning to the Piano
1 Make a commitment to playing. If you are going to get results, you must put in the practice and the conditions must be right.
2 Seek out a good teacher. Many teachers like adult pupils as they are prepared to work hard. You don’t have to have lessons very often, but they give you purpose and a sense of achievement – and a shared enjoyment of the piano with at least one other person. Don't be afraid to go through two or three piano teachers before you find one that works for you and the teacher. Most teachers offer a trial lesson.
3 Practise regularly and practise intelligently. Remember this evergreen advice: ‘Amateurs practise until they get it right, professionals practise until they can’t get it wrong.’
4 Buy a piano that you’re happy to play. Buy the best you can afford.
5 Keep in touch with the piano world. Follow your favourite artists on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, live concerts, and in the pages of Pianist magazine.
6 Don’t worry about the speed of your progress. You are going to make lots of mistakes initially even if you were an accomplished player years ago, but many adult learners are surprised how the knack of playing comes back.
© Sarah Barnes
Melanie Spaniswick is a pianist, writer, teacher and composer. As an author, she is published by leading publishing houses, and has written a three-book piano course for those returning to piano playing; Play It Again: PIANO (Schott Music). Melanie teaches the piano at Junior Guildhall School of Music & Drama and Eton College. As a composer, her music is published in the renowned Edition Schott Composer Series.