How Long Does it Take to Learn the Piano?

Having a good mindset is important when trying to learn a new instrument…or learn anything!

-Wade

Video Summary

A very common question people have before starting lessons is how long does it take to learn the piano? Let me tell you, it takes 3 weeks, 4 days, and 22 minutes.

The real answer comes from something my mom used to tell me. She was a great student and could learn anything. She always told me that you have to make it past the learning curve. There is always the first step or certain amount you must get past before you can really get going. Make that your goal. Get past the learning curve and then you can have a lot of fun with it.

Getting past the initial struggle and ache is the hard part. As you grow, you will come across other learning curves, like learning a different genre, like the blues. Each one will take a bit to learn its own curve, but then you can really let go and have fun with it.

There is no exact amount of time for anybody, so just focus on your learning to get to the point where you can play around with it all. Hopefully, that clears up that question!

10 Comments on “How Long Does it Take to Learn the Piano?”

  1. Thank you. This is exactly what I needed.
    Started back with piano about 1-year ago.
    As a worship leader, I can now sit and play a simple song and worship. Wow!
    Still learning, but truly having fun too.

  2. I watched a Ted Talk once where a guy debunked the idea that it takes 10,000 hours to learn a skill. He said that was a urban legend that came out of a specific study that looked at the skill level of world class athletes.
    To learn something well enough to be past what you referred to as the “initial learning curve”, he said it takes about 20 hours. Then, he demonstrated it by showing what he had been able to accomplish in 20 hours of practice.
    20 hours will not make a virtuoso, but it will get you to a place where you can be comfortable playing with a group.

    1. I’ve seen many great Ted Talks…they can be inspiring. Thanks for the comment! 20 hours seems simple enough…or maybe hour 1 is simple…hour 20 is the hard one. “Initial Learning Curve”…maybe I should implement that into my site somehow…hmmmm

  3. That is an excellent explanation Wade! I hope you are having a great time in AZ (or had), the heat here has not been so bad yet, so good timing to visit. Many Blessings to you and your family!

    1. Thanks Brenda! Arizona was much fun…and not too hot. We spent most of our time in the pool. #ihavekids Blessings to you and your family as well!

      1. This is the best answer that i have ever heard and i feel so satisfied in my spirit. I feel so motivated to practice more. Thanks Wade, God bless you for revealing such a secrete. If i may ask. What are the things to learn in that learning curve?

        1. Hi David! Thanks for the comment. I’d love to advise you on the next things in your learning curve. Where are you at in your playing?

  4. I’ve grown up in a poor family, so we couldn’t afford lessons. My mom use to take lessons but never really learned anything. But I had a piano myself, just an old yamaha keyboard that my grandmother dug out of her garage. So I looked at it and decided “why not?”. 2 years later I’m playing the piano on the praise team at my church every Sunday and Wednesday. The Piano is not hard at all, the secret to learning is having fun with it. If you aren’t enjoying it, you wont practice it and you’ll never advance. When you’re playing, have fun with it.

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