1. Clear long-term goals that can be broken down into small actionable steps.

Wishes verses commitment
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Many people want to play the piano. A few people must play the piano. The many are vague, the committed are focused.

A committed student says things like, “I want to pick up where I left off 30 years ago and finish my grade 8 piano, can you help me?” Or, “I want to play piano duets with my children, or grandchildren to support them in their piano studies? Or, “I want to play in a band”. Or, “I’m deeply in love with Beethoven’s op. 1. I played level 10 in my youth. Now, life has given me the time to get back to it. Please help me get back into shape”. “I love the romance of piano lounge jazz. Can you show me how to improvise like Diana Krall?”

The small actionable steps needed to proceed will vary by the student’s background, but the steps will revolve around the following:

1. Repertoire: what you signed up for. We may have to spend some time preparing your hands to play at the desired level.
2. Sight-reading: far more than playing at sight, competent sight-readers learn music quicker, much quicker.
3. Ear training: all music is ultimately played by ear. There is a saying you can only play at the level you can hear. Learning to listen deeply, with guided help will, will open up the beauty of music on a much deeper level.
4. Theory: the musicians you admire know what they are doing. Theory is the key to understanding what you see and hear in music. Also, it is the key to solidly memorising music.
5. Duets: a fun way to learn to emote in music, train the ear, and share the experience.

Syllabi, such as the Royal Conservatory of music provide, break down the learning process in small actionable steps. Jazz pedagogy does the same. I’ve also created one for recreational players who come to my studio. I will create or direct you to the appropriate syllabi.
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I look forward to working with you.
 
Best regards,
 
David

PS. Click on the picture below to learn more about adult learning. You will be directed the magazine's website. A valuable resourse. 

Graham has a some effective ideas. As always, patience and application wins. 

A quick coffee video on practicing from pianist magazine. 

Adult life: 

• 1. Work/Commute
• 2. Family
  
• 3. Health
  
• 4. Social
  
• 5. Me-time
  

With all this on the table I'm continually amazed my students attend each week and keep it up for so long. Hats off to you. 

How do the most successful of my students do it? They ride one horse at a time. It's truly hard to weekly practice piano, sky-diving, scuba lessons, ballroom dancing, and have time for the grandkids, spouse and friends. Oh, and visit Paris, Venice, the Great Wall, and take in a safari while packing for South America. The successful students make choices. 

See you all in September. 
​
Best regards, 

David

My take away from this video:

1. decide on a goal
2. break it down in to micro steps
3. proceed one baby step at a time
4. But, only one goal at a time, not ten. 

BTW: the video is lots of inspirational fun. 

Here is an example 

I want to earn my Grade one piano certificate

Baby steps

1. buy a piano
2. find a teacher
3. attend class
4. practice everyday
5. enjoy the tiny victories along the way
6. attend some recitals and strut my baby stuff
7.  celebrate every little milestone

• reading music
• your first scale
• duet with teacher
• playing mary had a little lamb with one hand
• you get the picture

You will succeed if you enjoy this process of micro-steps as described in the video and fearlessly go forward. 

Cheers, 

David