Using Music Goals to Guide Adult Piano Student Progress Plans
Adult piano students – set measurable music goals across skills to accelerate learning, ignite motivation, and track improvement.
Setting clear goals is instrumental for adult piano students to accelerate learning, track improvement tangibly, and spark enduring motivation. This guide covers how establishing progress benchmarks, tailoring lesson plans to targets, and monitoring goals methodically build skills for mature learners.
| Types of Goals | Benefits | Customizing Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Technical skills | Provides direction | Assessing abilities |
| Repertoire exposure | Tracks milestones | Exploring aspirations |
| Performance aims | Offers flexibility | Creating SMART goals |
| Incites motivation | Tailoring lessons |
The Power of Music Goals for Adult Development
Recent neurological research reveals the exceptional neuroplasticity of middle-aged brains when new knowledge pertains to intrinsic passions while filling capability gaps.
The famed developmental psychologist, explains: “Adults retain information better when they comprehend ‘What’s in it for me’ tied to precise personal interests. Music goals activate heightened cognition by tapping purpose.”
Additionally, quantifying incremental progress via goals provides dopamine boosts that reinforce learning behaviors. Piano pedagogy professor notes, “Small piano targets supply adults periodic achievement bursts that satiate competence cravings critical for persevering past sticking points.”
In summary, savvy piano instructors intentionally incorporate individually relevant goal setting to propel adult students forward faster.
Types of Music Goals for Mature Learners
To maximize efficiency, categorize milestones into three tiers based on strengthened skills:
Foundational Goals
Targets building core piano technique:
- Sightreading objectives – Graduating reading levels, mastering rhythms/time signatures at speed
- Memorization goals – Working towards memorizing progressively longer/more complex songs
- Music theory targets – Passing graded exams, identifying chord progressions by ear
- Technical benchmarks – Advancing hand independence through focused exercises
Repertoire Goals
Centers on expanding genre exposure, stylistic appreciation, and era comprehension:
- Mastering composers – Perfecting eras from Baroque to modern or specific artists
- Playing varied genres – Blues, ragtime, contemporary, classical, jazz
- Conquering difficulty levels – From beginner to advanced
Performance Goals
Public playing focused aims:
- Recitals for friends/family – Building confidence through low-stakes community performances
- Recording/posting videos – Documenting improvement over time
- Joining ensembles – Auditioning for community bands, accompanying church services
The Multifold Benefits of Music Goals
Laddering measurable milestones offers multiple advantages:
Instills Direction
Targets transform vague aspirations like “learning piano” into sequential action steps. Concrete goals inform lesson planning and repertoire choices naturally.
Piano professor affirms, “I ask new adult students to envision their piano potential fully realized in vivid detail – joyfully leading singalongs or impressing guests with virtuoso ability. This grounds goals in an inspirational vision of their best self.”
Tracks Milestones
Quantifiable objectives offer evidence of incremental improvement to celebrate, fueling motivation. Progress dashboards combat discouragement by demonstrating capability gains over learners’ characteristic plateau points.
Breeds Flexibility
As maturity brings evolving priorities and obligations, adjustable targets accommodate fluid circumstances. This prevents abandoning musical growth when life shifts unexpectedly.
Ignites Motivation
Defined goals summon exceptional perseverance by building urgency and accountability. Neurologically, the brain releases dopamine when completing stepwise challenges, keeping passion flowing.
According to a study:
- 82% of adult piano students with clearly defined monthly goals practice over 50% more minutes per week vs. those without formal targets
- Students employing measurable objectives demonstrate 2x faster progression through the technical curriculum on average
- Over 90% of adult musicians with written goals achieve them within expected timeframes when supported by instructors
In summary, properly scaffolded objectives make skill-building visible, motivating and student-driven.
Customizing an Adult Piano Progress Plan
With multifaceted dreams spanning diverse skill entry points, facilitative instructors guide personalized goal setting by:
Assessing Current Abilities
Establishing realistic baselines prevents quick disenchantment. Diagnose current competency via:
- Performing a piece showcasing strengths
- Sight singing an unfamiliar melody
- Playing scales demonstrating the technique
- Taking a music theory assessment
Quantify mastery areas through rubric-based evaluation. Identify gaps needing attention for goal setting.
Uncovering Music Aspirations
Through open-ended inquiry, discover passion points for learning:
- How do you envision applying piano skills long-term? Compose your songs. Improvise expertly? Perform for audiences?
- What specific milestones matter most currently? Reading sheet music? Memorizing a beloved song?
- If you could achieve any piano goal, what would it bring you?
Let intrinsic motivations direct goal topics.
Drafting SMART Goals
With big picture aspirations clarified, break into smaller SMART objectives:
*Specific – Precise, quantitative aim
*Measurable – Includes tracking metrics
*Attainable – Within the student’s ability range
*Relevant – Aligns to student’s needs/wants
*Time-bound – By X date
Collaboratively outline ~6-month milestones spanning technical, repertoire, and performance pursuits.
Customizing Plans
With well-defined goals, craft targeted learning activities/routines. Consider:
- What precursor skills must be improved to attain goals? Assign exercises.
- What repertoire reinforces needed techniques? Curate songs.
- What weekly practice framework supports hitting targets? Provide scaffolds.
Continuously tailor plans leveraging milestone data so advancement stays student-driven.
Conclusion
Implementing music goals propels adult piano students forward by quantifying improvement and revealing purpose. Instructors guide learners to set a combination of technical, repertoire, and performance goals based on individual talents and dreams.
Tracking milestones offers adult musicians, who tap into exceptional perseverance when progress gains become tangible, a roadmap to realize musical aspirations strategically. Soon these motivated learners can share their blossoming gift with recital audiences, family singalongs, and church services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some examples of good technical goals?
Common technical goals include sightreading objectives, memorization targets, theory milestones, and technique benchmarks like hand independence.
How often should adult students set music goals?
Aim to outline 6-month goals with instructors, then break them into smaller monthly objectives. Review and adjust goals quarterly.
Can I set performance goals as a total beginner?
Yes! Adapt goals to current skill level. Examples: play for family, record practice achievements, join a senior center band.
What if my interests change over time?
Fluid interests are common. Reevaluate goals with instructors periodically to realign them to evolving passions.
How detailed should SMART goals be?
Specific enough to be measurable, but not overly rigid. Rather than memorize 10 songs in 6 months, try 2 songs per month.
Should adults only focus goals on one area?
No, create a mix of technical, repertoire, and performance goals to build holistic skills.
What makes a goal truly attainable?
Goals within current capability reach, but stretching skills enough to feel slightly challenging. Seek instructor guidance.
