Notes from the Piano

Rediscovering the Piano: Why So Many Adults Return to the Piano and Find New Joy

Rediscovering the Piano: Why So Many Adults Return to the Piano and Find New Joy

I love teaching the piano and I enjoy being part of each and every student’s piano journey, it is a real privilege. Many of my students will go on to study the piano at music college, or to study music at university, however, many will not, but I hope to inspire in each and every one, whichever direction they may take, a deep and lifelong love of/for the piano and it’s repertoire, I would say that this is my number one goal for all students.

Amongst the many young musicians I teach, I have a significant number of adult students, for many the story of learning the piano began with lessons in childhood, for some the joy of learning passed them by, or was ‘taught’ out of them by lessons which focused solely on exams and parents who insisted that they didn’t ‘mess around’ at the piano, but focused only on their exam work. For others, academic studies or sports took over, or some simply lost interest along the way. Whatever the reasons, adult returners often express a huge sense of regret at not having continued their piano journey into adulthood.

It often surprises me how many adults feel this pull back to the piano. They return to the instrument they once left behind, and often find themselves enjoying it far more than they did as children. Why is this such a common experience, and what makes playing the piano so rewarding for adults who return after a long hiatus?

Freedom to Play for the Joy of It

One of the biggest differences between childhood piano lessons and adult returners is the motivation behind playing. As children, piano lessons are often seen as a chore or an obligation. Practice feels like yet another ‘homework’ task, and the music learned might not always align with the child’s personal interests. For many adults the choices of repertoire were made by their parents or teacher and the child had little choice in what they were allowed to play and when or how to practice.

However, when adults return to the piano, the dynamic shifts. They are now playing for themselves, not because someone else told them to. There’s no pressure to meet anyone else’s standards, and this freedom opens up a whole new world of enjoyment. Adult returners often find that without the weight of expectations, they can approach the piano with a sense of curiosity and passion that was missing before.

A Deeper Emotional Connection to Music

As adults, we bring our life experiences with us to the music we play. We’ve often felt love, loss, joy, and heartache, and these emotions resonate through the music we choose to play. We have explored more of the world and have a deeper understanding of life. Pieces that may have felt abstract or technical as children now take on new meaning. A Chopin nocturne, for instance, might feel more poignant after experiencing personal challenges, descriptive pieces may be more evocative and of course there will be so much which will bring a sense of nostalgia.

This emotional connection is one of the reasons why adults often find greater fulfilment in their piano playing. The music becomes a way to express feelings that words can’t capture, offering a sense of catharsis and personal reflection. Whether playing a melancholy ballad or an upbeat ragtime piece, adults find that the piano provides a deeply personal outlet for their emotions.

Of course, it must be said that in order to be able to play expressively, students need to have the technical skills to be able to play fluently and to master the repertoire of their choice. It is often the case that adult students will work diligently at this, but equally, there are some adults who find it frustrating that the technique they may once have had is hard to get back, and they may find this is something they will have to work a little harder at.

A Stress-Reliever and Mindful Escape

Life as an adult can be stressful. Between work, family responsibilities, and the general hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. For many adult returners, the piano becomes a form of escape—a way to slow down and focus on something outside of the pressures of the day.

Playing the piano requires concentration, but in a way that feels meditative. The act of reading music, coordinating both hands, and focusing on dynamics and phrasing draws the mind into the present moment, creating a sense of mindfulness. Many adults find that after spending time at the piano, they feel calmer and more centred, as if they’ve hit the “reset” button on their day.

In this way, returning to the piano isn’t just about music—it’s also about mental well-being. The time spent at the keyboard can become a daily ritual of relaxation, providing a mental break from the stresses of adult life.

Reconnecting with a Childhood Dream

For some adults, returning to the piano is about picking up where they left off and fulfilling a childhood goal that was never fully realized. Maybe they always wanted to master a particular piece but gave up before they could. Maybe they stopped lessons just as they were getting good, or always dreamed of being able to sit down and play fluently. Returning to the piano as an adult offers a chance to reconnect with those early dreams and bring them to fruition.

This sense of accomplishment can be deeply rewarding. As adults, we understand the value of persistence and hard work in a way we might not have as children. By returning to the piano and seeing tangible progress—whether it’s playing a piece they’ve always loved or mastering a difficult technical passage—many adults experience a sense of pride and personal satisfaction that goes beyond music.

Playing What They Want

When you’re an adult returner, the choice of repertoire is entirely up to you. This is a big change from childhood lessons, where the music selection was often dictated by the teacher, exam boards, or lesson books. Now, adults can choose the music that resonates with them personally.

Maybe it’s learning to play a favourite song from their teenage years or diving into the classical pieces they’ve always loved. Perhaps it’s exploring new genres like jazz, blues, or film music. Whatever the case, adult returners have the freedom to follow their own musical interests, and this makes the learning process much more engaging and enjoyable. There’s a special thrill in sitting down to play something you’ve always wanted to.

An Appreciation for the Process

As children, we often lack the patience needed to truly appreciate the process of learning an instrument. But as adults, we understand that progress takes time, and we’re more willing to enjoy the journey rather than rushing to the destination.

Adult returners often take pride in the small victories along the way—learning a new chord progression, getting the left and right hands to work together smoothly, or finally nailing a tricky section of a piece. There’s also a deeper understanding of the nuances of music—phrasing, expression, and dynamics—that might have been overlooked as a child. This newfound appreciation for the subtleties of playing allows adults to find joy in every stage of their musical development.

Possible Stumbling Blocks

I am sure however, that many piano teachers have encountered adult students who are extremely intelligent and have fabulous careers and who therefore have an expectation that returning to the piano should be easier than it turns out to be. These students may often be shocked that they find something hard and issues we have to look out for here are physical tension as a result of this frustration, or, a situation where despite all of the positive aspects of being an adult returner, the piano becomes something to do battle with. In such cases I find that honesty and discussing the mindset behind this is the best approach and once a student recognises that they need to find a different head space for their practice then progress resumes. It is often much easier to discuss practice mindset with adults than with younger students and they are often better at recognising and acknowledging their own personal frustrations.

In Conclusion

For many adults, returning to the piano after a long break feels like rekindling an old friendship. The instrument is familiar, but the relationship to it has deepened and evolved. There’s no longer any pressure to play for others or to achieve perfection; instead, the piano becomes a personal companion—a source of relaxation, emotional expression, and creative fulfilment.

Whether returning to complete unfinished childhood goals or simply rediscovering the joy of music, adults often find that playing the piano as a returner is more enjoyable, meaningful, and rewarding than it ever was as a child. It’s not just about the music—it’s about the connection to oneself, the process of learning, and the sheer pleasure of sitting down at the keys once again.

 

Lorraine Augustine is a Pianist, teacher and adjudicator based in Bedfordshire, with over 40 years’ experience of teaching and performing she teaches piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and runs a busy private practice in Bedfordshire.