How Can Playing the Piano Help You Maintain Your Vitality as You Age?
- Diana Mascari
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
Why the Piano Might Be Exactly What You Need Right Now
Let’s be honest—aging isn’t always the easiest word to hear. But the truth is, it’s something we’re all doing every day. And here’s the best part: there’s something empowering about embracing where you are in life, especially if you’re in your 50s, 60s, 70s, or beyond.
Many of my adult piano students tell me the same thing: they want to make their time count.
They’re ready to reconnect with something meaningful, joyful, and deeply personal. And for many of them—myself included—that “something” is music.
Maybe you played the piano years ago. Or maybe you played a different instrument and always dreamed of learning the piano someday. Either way, I want you to know now might be the perfect time to rediscover the music inside you.
Piano playing isn’t just about notes and scales. It’s about keeping your mind sharp, expressing yourself, and experiencing a sense of joy and creativity.
Every time you sit down at the piano, you’re giving yourself a gift—a space for reflection, focus, and fun. And if you’re wondering, “Is it too late?”—let me reassure you: it’s absolutely not. I’ve taught students who started lessons in their 60s, 70s, even 80s. Some others hadn’t touched a piano in decades; others were beginners who had played different instruments in their youth. What they all had in common was a willingness to start—and a love of music that carried them forward.
You might be thinking:
Will I really remember anything after all these years?
How much time will I need to practice?
Do I have to read music, or can I just play by ear?
These are great questions—and completely normal!
Here’s what I can tell you from my experience of working with many adult students:
✅ You’ll remember more than you think
Even if it’s been decades, your hands, ears, and musical instincts remember. If you’ve played another instrument before, you already have a head start with rhythm and music reading.
✅ You don’t need hours a day to make progress.
In fact, just 10–15 minutes a day can make a real difference. A little time at the piano each day builds muscle memory and keeps things fresh—and it’s way more sustainable than long, infrequent practice sessions.
✅ You can choose your musical path.
Some of my students love classical pieces; others prefer jazz, show tunes, or pop songs. You don’t have to follow a rigid curriculum. This is your musical journey—and it can be as flexible, fun, and personal as you want.
✅ You’re not too old.
I’m in my 70s and still playing the piano regularly—because it keeps my mind clear, my spirit lifted, and my creativity flowing. And I’ve taught students well into their 80s who’ve found the same joy.
One of my former students, Naomi, started piano lessons again in her late 50s after decades away. Her joy was contagious—and her story reminds me every day that it’s never too late to return to something you love.
Related articles:
So if you’ve been thinking about coming back to the piano—or starting for the first time
I hope you’ll consider this your invitation.
The music is still inside you. And all it takes is one note to begin.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present.
You don’t have to play fast or fancy.
You just have to play.
There’s no deadline. No test. Just the joy of making music, one note at a time.
✅ “Ready to rediscover the joy of music? Your piano is waiting.”
✅ “Why not start today? The music is still in you.”
✅ “Take the first step back to the piano—one note at a time.”
✅ “You’re never too old, and it’s never too late. Let the music begin.”
✅ “Your next chapter could be your most musical yet.”
Not sure where to begin? Let’s talk!
Diana Mascari-Piano Teacher for Adults
About Diana Mascari - Piano Teacher for Adults
Diana Mascari has taught piano to hundreds of adults and children for more than 47 years.
She holds two Masters of Music degrees from New England Conservatory and taught keyboard harmony to music majors while pursuing doctoral studies at Boston University. She was the music director for a multi-cultural Presbyterian Church for four decades, and her jazz and classical compositions have been performed worldwide. Diana has been performing for more than 50 years. From solo jazz piano to commercial groups touring the East Coast to leading her own jazz ensembles at colleges and jazz clubs throughout New England.
Get Her FREE Course: 5 Accompaniment Styles for Pianists
Get Her FREE Course: Song Playing Starter Course for Pianists
Comments