Let’s face it – everyone procrastinates about something and a sizable proportion of people who find excuses so they can legitimately put off learning to play the piano are older adults. I will absolutely acknowledge that there are a number of people that end up waiting until they are well and truly retired, because of genuine circumstances, to finally have their opportunity to learn to play the piano.
I am of the opinion that most people who procrastinate at learning to play the piano do so because they doubt their ability to ever learn enough to be able to play what they want. I have formed this opinion as a result of over the years meeting people and when they find out that I can play the piano, they often have a reaction that I must be a really gifted musician and it is something that they could never achieve.
So many people seem to have the opinion that playing the piano is something only gifted people do, that it is something that is beyond the capabilities of most people.
Here’s the truth – playing the piano is a skill set. Nothing more and nothing less. It is a skill set that does take time and effort. It also requires some patience, particularly when learning something new. It is also necessary to point out that like any other skill set, there are varying degrees as to how accomplished a person is. They could have really basic skills through to being extremely skilled and experience. The great thing about older adults is that they already have numerous skill sets and know what is needed to build another set of skills.
I’m not trying to diminish people who are gifted in someways, but I think that being gifted is way overrated. It is dedication, commitment, hard work and perseverance that allows a person to be good at something. Being gifted only means that the journey of acquiring skills is a bit easier, but it does not mean that there is hard work along the way. I have met many musically gifted people who don’t put in enough effort, or they give up when learning became a bit challenging. As a piano teacher, I would much rather teach someone who was willing to put in the effort even when things got challenging, than someone who was considered gifted.
Learning to play the piano is wonderful, but it is not reserved for the gifted. If you are genuinely ready to put the time and effort into learning to play the piano, then you have everything that you need to be successful. Be bold. Be brave. Take the plunge and stop procrastinating.