The point of taking lessons or classes…at least in my studio…is not for you to practice. 

Think about the moments you’ve most enjoyed practice…or the moments you most enjoyed music, either as a listener or active participant. 

What did those moments feel like? Did they feel like drudgery? A task to cross of your list? 

Nope. The moments were most likely characterized by playfulness, fun, experimentation, curiosity, emotional expression or feeling and creativity

So when adults first start piano lessons (or voice lessons) the first thing we have to get clear on, (and this takes a little discipline) is that you don’t take lessons just so you can have a practice chore added to your to-do list. 

You don’t go on a date with your spouse to get it over with. To cross them off your list. You go on said date (assuming the relationship is going well) to enjoy that person and to be enjoyed. 

This does take a kind of discipline. You have to make room in your schedule for it…you have to have some sort of intention, even if it’s just “hey let’s get in the car and go to the countryside and see what we discover!”. 

There are no guarantees you’ll have a good time, but you can make the context, based on knowing yourself and that person, that would have a good chance of an enjoyable experience happening. 

So when you take the Piano Class for Adults, or the Feel Better, Sing Better class, or voice lessons…the goal is NOT to practice. The goal is to make music! Or whatever else you’d particularly find enjoyable about piano playing and/or singing! 

So the first thing to “practice” is paying attention to what feels good, what sounds good to you, how you’re savoring every note…and what would keep that “spark” alive in this romance between you and music. 

Now if you’re still feeling doubtful, and believe that you need to endless dreadful scales day after day, dragging yourself through miserable boring repetition…then take a hint from a study done on learning: 

There were 2 classes of kids learning capitals of different countries…one classroom was told to stare at posters showing the different capitals. They weren’t allowed to leave their seat and were told they would be quizzed tomorrow. 

The other class was encouraged to walk around, look at each poster from every angle, talk to their classmates about the different countries, basically follow their curiosity and playfulness while looking at the posters. 

The next day, far and away, the class of kids that could play with how they looked at the capitals, remembered the capitals with WAY more accuracy than the kids that had to sit and stare. 

So even if you're a professional piano player under the gun to get this piece “done”...you’ll still actually learn more through play. Also…your audience will have an easier time enjoying watching you perform if you look like you are, well, enjoying yourself! 

Most adults do not know how to connect with themselves in this way…but fear not! That’s what classes are for. The Piano Class specifically is designed to re-awaken that childlike wonder and curiosity that often gets forgotten through stressful, rushed days and frantic crossing-off of to do lists. 

Oh and there’s even more…since the Piano Class is partly a group experience, you get to connect with others through making music. You’ll be delighted to discover that you can make music with others on day 1, with no background or previous experience. 

Now what about this pesky practice situation? Well guess what: when you’re enjoying playing, you’ll naturally play more, so practice happens naturally…as naturally as kids “practice” their video games…they don’t seem to need discipline somehow, they just “get it done”. When the fun is in the doing, you don’t have to worry about getting it done. 

So what are you waiting for again? Join the class or other possibilities below 🙂 

Learn More About Piano for Adults Here

Interested in Singing? Learn More Here