Playing the piano is possible at any age. There is no fixed age limit for playing the piano. In contrast to other instruments, you need less technique to be able to play your first melodies. People of all ages can learn piano and benefit from it. Here are some considerations for different age groups:

Children (under 6): We recommend that children under the age of 6 only start piano lessons in exceptional cases. For very young children, it is better to gain initial musical experience through early musical education. Playful musical activities often make more sense at this age.

Children (from the age of 6): A good age to start piano lessons. At the age of 6, children are cognitively and motorically ready to learn the basics. More on this in the article Piano lessons for children

Teenagers: Teenagers can often progress faster than children. They have already developed school learning habits. Lessons can be more intensive and challenging.

Adults: Adults of all ages can successfully learn the piano. They often have a high level of motivation and the ability to practise in a concentrated and structured way. Progress may be slower than with children, but learning is still very rewarding. Find out more in the article Piano lessons for adults

Senior citizens: Senior citizens can also start playing the piano and benefit from it. Music can promote mental fitness and bring joy. It's never too late to learn a new instrument!

The most important factor in learning the piano, regardless of age, is motivation and the desire to play the instrument. With patience, regular practice and a good teacher, anyone can learn to play the piano.

This depends on many factors, not least the style of music.

First piano successes in jazz or rock usually require less effort: simple chord sequences can be learned very quickly and promise fast results. In jazz and rock, learning to read music can also be dispensed with.

In the classical world, the so-called Henle level is used to answer this question. These are nine different levels of difficulty. All sheet music of pieces published by Henle-Verlag is marked with these levels of difficulty.

The general rule here is:

• 2000-3000 hours. Advanced beginner with Henle level 1-3
• 5000-6000 hours. A good average player with Henle 3-6
• 10000 hours. Good amateur musicians who are comfortable with 6-8
  

For beginners, it is a good idea to start with an electric piano first. Electric pianos cannot completely replace the acoustic piano, but they are a good alternative at an attractive price. They are also lighter, more compact and the volume can be adjusted. You can also practise with headphones.
Pianists now also find the playing feel close to the original. When buying, you need to make sure that the keyboard allows you to play as authentically as possible and that the sound quality is authentically modeled on the real piano. The most authentic playing feel is provided by so-called weighted keys.

On a normal piano, small hammers strike the strings to produce the sound. On an electric piano, the sound is produced digitally. Digital pianos can now imitate the sound of acoustic pianos very well.

If you're not sure whether you like playing the piano, we recommend renting a piano first.

We have asked all the teachers and put together a list of great piano stores in various cities that will rent you a piano at a reasonable price.

If you are disciplined and motivated, you will be able to teach yourself to play the piano up to a certain point. There are numerous courses, tutorials and other resources available online and in other media. However, as with other instruments, there is a risk that you will train yourself to make mistakes that you won't be able to get rid of so quickly.

If you want direct feedback or are perhaps less disciplined and want to make sure that you don't train yourself to make mistakes, you should meet with a piano teacher. They can make sure that you are not developing in the wrong direction. They can also motivate you if you lack discipline.
When it comes to the precise interpretation of a piece or developing your own style, a piano teacher is also highly recommended. They can provide targeted support.

1. Find the right teacher. They are not just there to teach you the right technique or monitor your progress. The right teacher is a mentor. They are someone who picks you up at the right moment and motivates you. They will draw your attention to mistakes early on. A suitable teacher will also motivate you through their passion for music and the piano. And they will make sure you are committed so that you can sit down at the piano when you have other things to do.
2. Practice. If you practise, you will progress faster. Organize your practice so that you look forward to it: to the progress you make, to the new skills, but also to the positive feeling when you can play something you've learned again.
3. Be patient: it takes time to learn to play the piano. You won't be able to sit down at the piano and play the Moonlight Sonata. Be patient and keep at it.
4. Curiosity. If you can maintain your curiosity about the instrument, progress will come easily. Seek resources. Talk to other pianists, go to concerts, listen to music. Look at online tutorials and discuss it with your teacher. If you sit at the piano with enthusiasm, you will make faster progress.

The correct posture is particularly important when playing the piano: an incorrect or strained posture can affect your playing. Make sure you sit in the correct position right from the start:

• Both feet firmly on the floor.
• Sit upright
• Arms parallel to the floor.
• Make sure you are at the right distance from the piano: your upper body should not touch the piano and you should not have to stretch your arms out wide.
• Place your hands on the keys as if you were holding a ball.
  

It is helpful if you already have a functioning instrument, be it an acoustic piano or a digital piano or keyboard. Then, inspired by the piano lesson, you can start testing what you have learned straight away.

For your first piano lesson, I also recommend that you think in advance about what your goal is when playing. Have pieces ready that you like and get the necessary materials, such as a music book for notes or the recommended beginner's book.

If you are particularly motivated, you can familiarize yourself with the basics of music theory and reading music in advance to help you get started. Prepare a list of questions that you would like to ask your teacher to clarify any uncertainties early on. Set goals for your lessons and share them with your piano teacher so that you have a clear direction.

Remember to be patient and open to feedback, as learning to play the piano takes time and commitment. Also, make sure you arrive on time for your lesson and are in a calm environment where you can concentrate well. These preparations will help you to make your first piano lesson productive and enjoyable.

• Set yourself realistic goals. It is not wise to expect to become a virtuoso in a short space of time. Set yourself smaller goals that you can achieve.
• Regularity. The quickest way to improve your playing is to practise regularly. It's not about the duration. Sit at the piano for 15-30 minutes a day and you'll be surprised how you notice improvements in your playing every week.
• Seek advice from your teacher. A good piano teacher can show you the right exercises so that you can achieve your goals in much less time.
• Have fun. Look for music that you enjoy playing and listening to and focus on the positive aspects of learning the piano.
• Patience. Be patient with yourself. Don't get discouraged if you don't make immediate progress. Just sit down again the next day.
• Take breaks. Don't practise for too long at a time.
• Partner/friends. Practicing with a friend or family member motivates you and you help each other to improve.

Our students have already mentioned many reasons why they want to learn the piano. In a student survey conducted by Instrumentor, the following points were mentioned most frequently:

• Stress relief. Just like listening to music, playing the piano also reduces stress. Playing the piano in the evening provides relaxation and a sense of well-being.
• Social interaction: Playing music with friends is a great way to get in touch with other people. Jamming with band or ensemble members; connecting musically is the best way to make new friends.
• Creativity. Being able to play the piano encourages creativity and expression: learning the piano is a way to develop your creative potential and express yourself in a new, unfamiliar way, even as an adult.
• Learn your favorite song. The piano in particular allows you to quickly learn a song that is particularly meaningful to you: many adults have favorite songs that they would like to play. Learning the piano can help you realize these dreams.
  

Siro Müller is co-founder and director of the Instrumentor platform and has already found the right teacher for over 10,000 music students. Siro recommends the following steps to find a piano teacher in your city who is just right for you:

Siro Müller is co-founder and director of the Instrumentor platform and has already found the right teacher for over 10,000 music students. Siro recommends the following steps to find a piano teacher in your city who is just right for you:

1. Are you unsure? Give us a call! If you're not yet sure what exactly you want to learn or which piano is right for you, give us a call or send us an email. We know all the teachers' profiles very well and can certainly recommend a suitable piano teacher for you. If you already know exactly what you want, continue with point 2.
2. First decide on a style of music or a piece. Be clear about which style of music you like. Maybe you like classical music, rock, jazz, blues, soul or pop. Different styles of music require different approaches. As an alternative to the style of music, a good starting point is always a piece that you like and want to learn. Choose one. It is very important to choose a teacher with whom you share musical tastes.
3. Visit the list of piano teachers. In Instrumentor's piano teacher list you will only find selected and specialized piano teachers that we can wholeheartedly recommend (Currently over 100 piano teachers for beginners.
4. Use the filters. You can filter by musical style (classical, rock, pop, jazz, funk, etc.), by level (beginner, advanced), by language and other criteria.
5. Read the personal profiles of the piano teachers carefully. We recommend that you choose a teacher that you like straight away. If the general conditions (musical style, location, etc.) are right, you can devote yourself to the interviews. There, piano teachers tell you what is important to them when teaching, what they attach particular importance to or how they actually structure a lesson. Even if two teachers have completed the same training, teach the same genres and play the same instrument, they will differ in how well they suit you. Piano lessons are personal. It is important that these or these very qualities match your expectations.
6. If you are still not sure which piano teacher would suit you, please contact us. We know all the profiles very well and can certainly recommend a suitable piano teacher for you.
7. Sign up for a trial lesson.
   

In many Swiss cities, we provide you with numerous selected piano teachers for beginners. We know all the teachers personally and recommend them for their outstanding ability to teach beginners:

The decision between an online course and a piano teacher depends on your individual preferences and needs. If you want to take an online course, make sure that you

• are motivated and disciplined
• A meticulous learner who learns at their own pace

However, you should look for a piano teacher if one or more of the following apply to you:

• You feel more confident when someone can answer your questions,
• You want regular feedback to assess your own progress,
• You prefer fixed times
• You want to be corrected in real time so that you don't learn incorrect postures or tone sequences
• You want a learning program tailored to your own strengths and weaknesses

In piano lessons, it helps a lot if the student and teacher are in the same room. This makes it easier to correct mistakes at the keyboard and exercises can be better demonstrated and checked immediately with feedback.

However, many selected teachers also offer their lessons remotely via video conference. If this is of interest to you, you can find the piano teachers who offer distance learning here.

71 piano teachers for beginners with online lessons

No, not necessarily! There are some musical genres that you can learn without reading music. You can go a long way on the piano and accompany songs with just a few chords.

You should learn to read music, especially if you want to learn classical pieces. These are often fully notated. In jazz, rock, pop or soul, it is sometimes more possible to play by ear or other notation systems.

• Simple chords first. Learn one, then two, then three simple piano chords, e.g. C major, F major, G major. These can be played on the white keys, you can put them together and it sounds good.
• Small steps. Don't aim too high, but start in small steps.
• Play regularly. It's better to practise regularly for short periods than irregularly.
• One technique at a time. Work on one technique at a time, not all at once. Do not overtax yourself.
• Resources. You can find sheet music and tutorials for all songs on the internet. If you get stuck, find a piano teacher who will show you things regularly.
• Most importantly, have fun and be patient.

• Learn piano for adults
• Learn piano for children
• Rent a piano