How to Start Playing Piano Again After Years Away

Many adult students return to learning piano after years away from playing, as a break from work or as a pursuit that will keep their mind active going into their older years. At the piano, you can find a space where you are able to focus entirely on music, away from emails, deadlines, and schedules. The practice itself is grounding, but it’s also creative – a combination that is so beneficial for brain health. So, if you’ve decided to start playing again, where do you start and what can you do to progress quickly?  

Start with what you know and set yourself some simple goals. For example:

1. Set some regular time aside for playing and practising
Make it a goal to play the piano for a certain amount of time each week. Make it so that the amount of time you put aside is achievable and sustainable. For example, start with playing just a small amount and then increase the frequency and length of time you’re at the piano. You’ll find that this will build some momentum.  

The book Atomic Habits by James Clear has some useful tips to help make establishing new habits easy and much of his advice applies really well to the routine of regularly practicing the piano. He suggests that when you start a new habit, tag it on to something else you already do regularly.  e.g practicing the piano immediately after you’ve cleaned up after dinner. He also talks about making new habits easy to accomplish and giving yourself small rewards to celebrate your progress.

2. Gather together sheet music and other resources to play and practice

Having everything you need ready at the piano will make it easier to practice regularly. Finding the sheet music for favourite pieces you’ve played in the past can be a great start and as Natalie Harnett from ABRSM suggests in this article, you can use these personal favourites to help you find and explore new music. Fingerings for scales and any simple technical exercises are also worth including.

3. Decide what you’re going to do when you practice

Planning ahead for how you’re going to use your time at the piano will help you to work productively and efficiently when you practice. For example, you could choose a piece you already know and play just the first 8–16 bars, spend a few minutes playing a scale slowly. noticing how your fingers remember the shape and movement, find a simple chord progression you like and try transposing this into different keys, sight read some simple music. Many students find having a piano practice plan helpful.

Progress at the piano doesn’t always show up straight away, so it helps to notice small changes. Perhaps a piece feels more comfortable under your hands, or a rhythm that used to trip you up now feels natural. These are the signs that your playing is developing.

If it’s been years since you last played, it’s normal to feel like you’re not as fluent as you once were. But much of what you learned in the past is still there — muscle memory, reading patterns, the feel of intervals and chords. You might be surprised how quickly your piano skills return once you start playing regularly.