If you are an adult beginner keen to buy a piano keyboard and learn to play it, here’s what you should keep in mind.
Be Positive and Realistic
Whether you’re an adult (or a young) beginner, it’s best to be positive when learning to play the piano, and be realistic about how long it’s going to take to learn to play the piano.
A lot of adults will need to remove doubts from their minds and stop thinking about whether “is it too difficult to learn”, “is it too late to get started”, “what will others think”, and so on.
On the other hand, some adults (on the younger side) want to learn quickly and they want to move fast, perhaps because they feel they started late and need to quickly catch up.
So, give yourself adequate time to learn to play the piano, It’s definitely going to take longer than cycling or even swimming.
The good thing is that many adults have done it before you!
What Adults Like in Digital Pianos & Keyboards
The first step in the learning process is to buy a keyboard instrument for yourself.
But since it can get confusing choosing the right keyboard instrument, and because most adults live a busy life, this step gets delayed if they are not able to find one soon, and learning to play the piano takes a backseat again.
The good thing is that we have made it easy for you to choose a keyboard instrument.
When it comes to adult beginners, they may not necessarily buy the cheapest keyboards, unlike parents who do that when shopping for a beginner keyboard for their kids (which is understandable because they are not sure if their kids are going to continue playing).
Most adult beginners want better sound, and while the younger lot are more interested in various features (effects, sampling, recording, etc), the seniors may not look for all the bells and whistles. For them, a good keyboard touch and good piano sounds matter more as they are more interested in playing (than recording).
Adults who are getting started should consider getting a good arranger keyboard, instead of the cheapest one as their ears are better at deciphering what sounds good.
You may not like the sound quality of mini keyboards that are designed for children, and the keys will be a bit smaller for you to play with.
Related: Best Portable Musical Keyboards under $200
Many adults want to learn to play the keyboards so that they can start creating music. The good thing is that most digital music keyboard instruments come with basic recording features and lots of sounds, rhythms, and effects which allows you to learn the basics of music creation. With practice and more knowledge, you can buy more equipment to get better at music production.
Then there are some adults (especially elderly folks) who love the sound of a piano and would prefer to have a piano at home instead of a personal keyboard, and they don’t mind spending a bit more for that. In that case, it makes sense to go in for an upright digital piano.
One question that many adults have is this – “If I learn to play the keyboard can I learn the piano?
The answer is yes! Playing the keyboard requires you to play with two hands, and the skills learned are transferable to the piano.
Get Started Now, Buy a Better Piano Keyboard
There are some adults who procrastinate and never buy an instrument, whereas some others buy an expensive one, play it for a few days, and then the keyboard gets relegated to some corner of the house.
So, it is important to buy something decent and get started!
The best advice I can give to an adult beginner is to buy a decent (at least 61 keys) music keyboard and start taking lessons today.
I am sure you may have seen children who can play many songs with utmost ease. Though it can be humbling, adults are usually good at grasping the intellectual aspects and are able to relate things better, especially when it comes to harmonizing.
Besides, the pressure to perform and practice is less for an adult, and you really are free to choose how and what to learn.
So buy a keyboard instrument that is better than the most basic ones, and something that also sounds good as it can motivate you to learn.
Most digital keyboard instruments come with built-in speakers, have several sounds and styles (rhythms) and built-in songs. You can connect it to a computer, record your own songs, and do much more. Popular brands for beginner keyboard instruments include Yamaha, Casio, Roland, and a few others.
Learning to Play the Piano Keyboard (For Adults)
“It is never too late to start learning anything”.
For adults, this old saying applies perfectly!
And if you believe in that too, start learning to play the keyboard (or the Piano) right away.
The trouble is that most adults need coaxing and convincing before they can start doing something new.
Here are some more reasons why you should get started.
Strengths
Adults, in general, have a lot of advantages over children when it comes to learning the Piano. Some of them are –
- Far better concentration
- Highly developed motor skills
- Highly motivated and eager to learn quickly
- Can think and relate better
These are some of the strengths which give adults a head-start over children if they have to learn the Piano.
Weaknesses
Though adults have some inherent strengths, they also have weaknesses which they acquire over the years. Some of them are –
- Higher expectations with themselves
- Fear of failure
- Lack of patience
- Juggling with too many different things
- Like smaller learning curves. 6 months is too much time for some adults to learn a new thing.
Self-Learning Option
One of the major challenges that adults face is to spare sufficient time on a regular basis to learn to play the instrument. It may not be feasible for all of them to take regular music lessons from a teacher or take group lessons in a music school.
That is where it makes more sense for them to invest in a good piano learning software . With these online lessons you can easily learn at your own pace, and whenever you get some free time. You have several video lessons so it is easy to follow as well.
I can understand it can get difficult to spare time on a regular basis for adults, but as far as possible try to practice regularly, even if it is for only 15 minutes (though at least 30 minutes is recommended).
Take The Plunge
This is a great time (in the history of mankind) to learn anything new, and the same applies to learning to play the piano keyboard.
By staying focused, having realistic expectations, and sparing regular time, it becomes easier to learn the piano, doesn’t matter what your age is.
So take the plunge, invest in a good instrument, and get started right away!
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KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
I personally look for good value for money when buying anything, including a beginner digital piano or keyboard. It means the digital piano should have enough features and lessons (more the merrier), to make the purchase worthwhile. I have a good pair of headphones and my Privia Piano sounds amazing through it.