Dedication and focus is required for piano students. But what if there was another secret ingredient that could enhance their learning, boost their well-being, and maybe even add a dash of joy to their piano journeys? Play!

Play isn’t just for children. It’s a powerful tool for students of all ages:

• Reduce Stress: Engaging in playful activities can lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone, and promote relaxation. Imagine the joy of forgetting daily pressures and simply getting lost in the music!
• Boost Creativity: Playful exploration allows adults to tap into their inner child, fostering creative thinking that can benefit them in music and other areas of life.
• Social Connection: Learning piano with a playful approach can create a more relaxed and enjoyable learning environment, fostering stronger connections between student and teacher.
• Increase Motivation: Playful activities can rekindle the joy of music, making practice sessions more engaging and motivating adults to keep learning.

Bringing Play to the Piano Lessons

So, how can we incorporate playful activities into our older students’ piano lessons without feeling like we’re in kindergarten music class? The key is to be creative and age-appropriate.

Playful activities for all ages. It doesn’t have to be a childish game to be playful. These activities are intrinsically playful, especially when you use music at a level that makes it easy for them to play without stress.

• Improvisation
• Duets with teacher
• Lead sheets of pop songs
• Playing by ear
• Playing pieces with a backing track.
• Explore different musical styles. One week, it could be TV theme songs and the next, a journey through Disney classics.
• Composing
• Age appropriate games: games inspired by Bingo, Uno and War.

Embrace Mistakes:

Emphasize that mistakes are part of the learning process. Encourage students to have fun, experiment, and not be afraid to try new things.

Remember:

Playful activities are about creating a sense of enjoyment and exploration. Experiment, have fun with it, and celebrate your students’ sense of discovery!

Read more about the power of adult play here. /https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/benefits-of-play-for-adults