The answer is a resounding yes! Read on to discover how you can enjoy the amazing benefits of piano lessons in your later years.

Maybe you’re retired with time on your hands and want to maintain an active lifestyle for as long as possible. Or perhaps you played piano as a youngster and are thinking about getting back to it. Whatever your story, if you’re in your 60s or beyond, you may be wondering if it’s too late to benefit from piano lessons. Thankfully, research has shown that learning the piano can bring tremendous rewards well into the twilight years. Let’s look at some of those benefits and what we can do to get the most out of lessons if we decide to take them. 

The Benefits

Cognitive and Emotional Well-being. Learning the piano helps keep your mind sharp and your senses alert. But what exactly are we talking about when we say “cognitive”? Cognition is anything that involves your mental processes. It includes things like memory, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and judgement – the tools we use to make sense of the world around us. Growing evidence shows that piano study strengthens these skills and supports overall mental vitality. 

For example, one study explored how piano training affected cognitive function, mood, and quality of life in older adults.

¹

Participants aged 60 –84 with no prior experience in playing a musical instrument were divided into two groups: one group took piano lessons, the other did not. Both groups continued their usual physical exercise and leisure activities.² Over time, the piano group showed greater improvement in attention, self-control, managing daily tasks, mood, movement, and coordination compared to those who didn’t take lessons. They also had lower levels of depression, showed better awareness of their surroundings, and expressed themselves more clearly. 

While the results of this study reflect measurable gains in mental functioning, it’s clear that in the end, the piano group simply felt better. This underscores an important benefit from taking piano lessons – a deep sense of inner satisfaction that comes from effort. So, while piano study does present its challenges, each challenge met successfully becomes a small memento of growth and accomplishment, fueling enthusiasm for the next goal. Over time, this cycle of effort and reward builds confidence and fosters a deep sense of fulfillment. 

Bonding with Family and Friends. Have you ever noticed that when there’s a piano at family events, someone always ends up playing it? And where does everyone end up gathering? That’s right – around the piano. A spontaneous performance by a beloved child or an adult reviving an old tune elicits the delight of everyone present. And when children have friends over, quite often they find themselves huddled over the piano, clamoring to pick out their favorite tunes.

Why is the piano so special when it comes to strengthening relationships? It all comes down to its incredible versatility. Found in virtually every genre of music, it can lead a light-hearted, fun sing-along or provide a dramatic backdrop to an intense instrumental. Because of its broad application and appeal, it creates a perfect platform for shared creativity and expression. At its core, sharing music is sharing emotion, and it’s that shared emotional experience that drives human connection.

If your grandchildren play an instrument, imagine the bonds you’d strengthen playing a duet with them. You’d share a common hobby with which to spend meaningful time and create lasting memories. And what a confidence boost for a child when Grandma or Grandpa asks for help at the piano!

There is no doubt that learning piano later in life can strengthen the mind, lift the spirit, and deepen relationships. But to derive the most benefit, you’ll want to approach lessons with the right mindset and take a few practical steps for success. 

Getting the Most out of Your Lessons

Get the Right Instrument. A suitable instrument is necessary to feel a sense of satisfaction from your lessons. A keyboard with keys that are too small or too light is going to cause considerable tension in the hand, arm, and shoulder. An acoustic piano that’s in poor condition may leave you struggling more than playing.

No doubt, the options for buying a piano can be overwhelming. Ideally, choose an acoustic piano that’s at least in fairly good condition. If you already own a piano but aren’t sure about its condition, then schedule a tuning. A piano tuner can assess the piano and tell you whether it’s a good fit for lessons. 

If an acoustic piano is not practical for you, then an 88-key digital piano with fully weighted or hammer-action keys can be a viable alternative. Hybrid pianos, which combine an acoustic mechanism with a digital sound, can also be an option. Whether a digital piano or a hybrid, be aware that there will be limitations on tone production because the sound is produced electronically.

Schedule Practice Time. In the study mentioned previously, it’s important to note that the benefits didn’t come simply from attending lessons. In addition to weekly classes, the participants practiced about four hours a week, divided over several days. This would suggest that the real benefits of piano study come from active engagement – regular practice, setting goals, and working through challenges. 

To build a sense of accomplishment, you’ll want to set aside enough time to see improvement. Plan for a minimum of about two to three hours per week, preferably spread out among four or five days. Practicing for only 30 minutes once or twice a week likely won’t be enough to see progress and can ultimately lead to frustration. 

Occasionally, you’re going to have a bad week. When that happens, there’s no need to feel guilty. Things happen. Visitors, vacations, and sickness can all interrupt our lives and demand our attention. The point is that on most weeks, your normal schedule should be at least two or three hours throughout the week in order to see progress. 

Be Patient with Yourself. The piano is a complex instrument and it takes time before you’ll be able to play some of your favorite tunes comfortably. Both hands must coordinate in ways that most other instruments don’t require. As a beginner, it may take a few weeks or more before you can play both hands together on a simple song, and a few months before you can keep a steady beat well enough to play with someone else. 

Along with learning simple melodies and chords, your teacher will guide you in basic technique. Technique refers to the movements we make to play comfortably and safely, and to produce a smooth, musical sound. Expect your teacher to reinforce the basics of technique regularly throughout the course of your lessons. 

Some pieces ³ may require more patience. Your teacher will likely balance your program with a mix of easier, fun pieces with more challenging ones. More complex pieces may require a couple of months or more to master the skills needed to make them sound musical. So don’t rush through pieces, but take the time to apply the skills that your teacher is helping you develop. 

In the study mentioned earlier, participants showed measurable improvements only after several months of lessons. While the benefits of lessons begin immediately, it takes time to fully realize them. So try to commit to about a year if you can, although several years of study is ideal for lasting benefit. 

Find a support system. Sharing your piano journey with others can enhance the benefits of lessons. Take advantage of whatever group activities your teacher offers for adults. A piano coffee klatch, an adult piano evening, or even recitals can be wonderful opportunities to share the joys of accomplishment, find humor in the struggles, and discover companions for the journey.  

Beyond the lesson studio, involve those you love and are comfortable with. On occasion, share your progress by playing a piece or two for them. Their encouragement can boost motivation, reinforce progress, and make the experience more rewarding.

Focus on What You’ve Accomplished, Not On What You Can’t Do. In learning piano, there will always be more ahead than there is behind. Focusing on what you can’t do yet can rob you of the joy of learning, making it easy to forget how far you’ve come. Stay motivated by focusing on what you’ve already accomplished. Celebrate progress. Every small victory is proof that you’re growing and reaping the benefits of your efforts.

As we have seen, taking piano lessons later in life offers far-reaching benefits. It sharpens the mind, supports emotional well-being, and can nurture meaningful relationships with family and friends. By choosing the right instrument, practicing regularly, being patient with ourselves, and celebrating our achievements, we can reap the full benefits of piano lessons. Remember, it’s never too late to begin, and every small step you take at the piano brings growth, joy, and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful. 

[efn_display]

1. Seinfeld, Sofia, Heidi Figueroa, Jordi Ortiz-Gil, Maria V. Sánchez-Vives. 2013. “Effects of Music Learning and Piano Practice on Cognitive Function, Mood and Quality of Life in Older Adults.” Frontiers in Psychology 4:810. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00810/full .
2. One limitation of this study is that it did not control the non-musical activities to ensure they didn’t affect the results. However, the context of the study indicates that these activities had been ongoing without significant change, indicating that the benefits were primarily due to the piano lessons.
3. When music became widely available on digital platforms, music became labeled as a “song.” In the classic sense of the word, a “song” refers to music that is sung, while music without vocals is referred to as a “piece.” It’s not necessary to make this distinction in everyday conversation, but it’s helpful to understand this when reading articles about music or discussing it in formal settings.