5 Insights I Gained from Starting Piano Lessons at 40

1. Being Bad Is Totally Fine
   I really struggle with playing the piano. I can come up with all sorts of excuses: I’m a beginner, I’m too old to be starting now, and my pinky fingers are pretty useless. But the truth is, I’m not great at it, and that’s a tough pill to swallow. I usually like to excel at things (like not math), but here I am, fumbling through notes. My two kids, however, create amazing music effortlessly while I try to keep up. Still, my friends enjoy my company, and my teacher seems genuinely happy to see me. Even my kids treat me with kindness at the piano, much like they would a nervous child, but they still expect me to help them with homework—just not math!
2. Music Is a Universal Magic
   Before diving into piano lessons, I knew classical pieces like Beethoven’s 9th and songs like “Hey Jude” were powerful, but I didn’t grasp just how accessible music is. Watching my kids, who are 5 and 7, I saw them bumble their way through “All You Need Is Love,” and they still sounded like little prodigies. Now, I realize that just pressing middle C with my thumb and hitting high C with my pinky can bring “Over the Rainbow” to life in my mind. Two notes can summon a whole world of feelings, memories, and magic—and I can do that too!
3. Repetition is Key
   It’s pretty amazing how doing something repeatedly can lead to improvement. I thought I’d forgotten what it’s like to master a skill, but working on “Amazing Grace” has reminded me. Each practice session makes it a little smoother, transforming it from a clumsy exercise into something that feels like a hymn.
4. Aging Is Real
   Learning a song takes me forever. My brain feels sluggish, and my fingers seem to lag even more. I painstakingly instruct my fingers what to do, and the thought of adding the pedal to the mix feels overwhelming. What hits me hard is realizing I might not have enough time to reach a high level of proficiency. With only half an hour of practice a day, it could take me decades to become truly skilled. So, mark your calendars for my 95th birthday party—I might have something to play by then!
5. Embracing the Aging Process
   As I sit at the piano trying to nail a few bars, I find myself lost in the moment. I repeat the notes, gradually correcting my mistakes, aiming for that perfect sound. And when I finally get it right, a sense of triumph washes over me, only to be followed by another mistake. Yet, during this process, everything else fades away—my to-do list, my regrets about not starting earlier, and even my age. It could be just a few minutes or a longer session, but in those moments, I’m fully present within the music, oblivious to time.

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Summary

Starting piano lessons at 40 has taught me that it’s okay to be a beginner and that the magic of music is within reach for everyone. Repetition is essential for improvement, and while aging can feel daunting, it also brings moments of joy and presence that are worth cherishing.