Letícia Vaz

How to Balance Technique and Musicality in Adult Piano Practice Without Feeling Stuck

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Adult piano learners often feel torn between two priorities. On one side, there is technique: scales, finger control, posture, coordination, accuracy. On the other side, there is musicality: expression, phrasing, emotion, enjoyment. Many adults feel that focusing on technique makes their playing dry, while focusing on musicality makes it sloppy. This perceived conflict causes frustration … Read more

How to Stay Motivated Learning Piano as an Adult When Progress Feels Slow

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One of the biggest challenges adult piano learners face is not technical difficulty, lack of talent, or limited time. It is motivation. Many adults start learning piano with excitement and clear intentions, only to experience frustration months later when progress feels slow, inconsistent, or invisible. Practice continues, but enthusiasm fades, and doubt quietly replaces confidence. … Read more

How to Learn Piano Improvisation as an Adult Without Feeling Lost or Untalented

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Improvisation is one of the most intimidating areas of piano learning for adults. Many adult learners admire musicians who can sit at the piano and freely create music, yet feel that improvisation is reserved for those with natural talent or years of formal training. When adults try to improvise, they often feel stuck, unsure of … Read more

How to Learn Piano Chords as an Adult and Use Them Confidently in Real Music

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For many adult piano learners, chords feel confusing, overwhelming, or secondary compared to reading individual notes. Some adults focus entirely on sheet music and ignore chords, while others jump straight into chord charts without truly understanding how harmony works. Both approaches often lead to gaps that limit musical freedom. In reality, chord knowledge is one … Read more

How to Develop Proper Piano Posture and Hand Position as an Adult Without Pain or Tension

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Proper posture and hand position are often overlooked by adult piano learners, especially those learning on their own. Many adults focus on notes, rhythm, and speed, assuming posture will correct itself over time. Unfortunately, poor posture and inefficient hand position are among the most common reasons adults experience tension, slow progress, and even physical pain … Read more

How to Practice Piano Scales as an Adult Without Getting Bored or Injured

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Piano scales are often one of the first technical tools adult learners encounter, and also one of the first things they stop practicing consistently. Many adults understand that scales are important, yet find them boring, repetitive, or physically uncomfortable. Over time, scales are avoided or rushed through without focus, reducing their effectiveness. The problem is … Read more

How to Improve Piano Reading Speed as an Adult Without Sacrificing Accuracy

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Many adult piano learners can read sheet music but feel painfully slow when doing so. Notes take too long to process, hands hesitate, and pieces that look simple on the page feel mentally exhausting. This often leads adults to avoid reading altogether, relying instead on memorization or imitation. Slow reading is not a sign of … Read more

How to Choose Piano Repertoire as an Adult That Builds Skill and Keeps You Motivated

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Choosing the right piano repertoire is one of the most underrated skills adult learners need to develop. Many adults either choose music that is far too difficult and become frustrated, or choose music that is too easy and stop progressing. Others select pieces purely based on popularity without considering whether the music actually supports their … Read more

How to Build a Long Term Piano Learning Plan as an Adult and Actually Stick to It

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Many adult piano learners start with strong motivation and clear intentions, yet months later feel lost, inconsistent, or unsure whether they are improving. They practice sporadically, jump between methods, or focus on short term goals without a long term direction. Over time, this lack of structure leads to frustration and eventual abandonment of the instrument. … Read more

How to Overcome Piano Performance Anxiety as an Adult and Play With Confidence

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Performance anxiety is one of the most common yet rarely discussed challenges adult piano learners face. Many adults practice diligently, play well alone, and feel confident at home. Then, the moment someone listens, the hands tense, the mind races, and mistakes appear that never happen in private practice. This experience can be discouraging and confusing. … Read more