What to do when progress stalls? - How to Overcome Plateaus
In this article, you will learn why stagnation can occur in the learning process of piano playing, why it happens, and what you can do to overcome it.
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Gordon November
Gordon November
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Everyone who learns a musical instrument encounters it sooner or later: the plateau. This is a phase where it seems that despite constant effort, no progress is being made.
But why does this feeling occur, and what can you do about it? Join us through the highs and lows of learning piano and discover how you can overcome stagnation and revitalize your musical development.
What Exactly is a Plateau in Piano Learning?
You’re making great progress on the piano, enjoying every new chord, every new melody, and then suddenly: silence. You keep practicing, but it feels like you’re going in circles. This feeling of being stuck describes a plateau. But what exactly is behind it?
From Rapid Progress to a Plateau
Imagine it like a mountain hike. At first, you climb steadily and quickly uphill, conquering one peak after another. But then you reach a wide plain. The path seems straight and continues without an incline. In piano playing, you experience exactly that: After initial, clear successes, you seem to be treading water.
Understanding the Nature of Learning
A plateau is not a dead end. It is a natural part of the learning process. It indicates that your brain and fingers are processing and consolidating what you’ve learned. Even if it doesn’t feel like it, you are still learning – just in a more subtle, less obvious way.
A learning plateau can be frustrating, but it’s no cause for concern. The question is: How can you effectively use this phase and ultimately overcome it?
Why Do We Reach Plateaus?
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you feel stuck. But why? One reason lies in how our brain works.
At the beginning of learning, everything is new and exciting. Your brain quickly absorbs this information, and you see rapid progress. Over time, however, it gets used to the routine, and the sudden improvements can diminish.
Practice Routine and Repetition
It is natural and necessary to repeat exercises and pieces when learning piano. Through repetition, you consolidate what you’ve learned and sharpen your technique. However, too much routine can sometimes lead to a feeling of stagnation. You might play the same thing over and over again without feeling real progress.
This is where my free workshop on intuitive piano playing comes in! It offers a fresh perspective and new approaches that can pull you out of the rut of dull memorization.
Instead of just focusing on the notes of playing, my course focuses on intuitively feeling and understanding the instrument. This can help you experience music in a whole new way and deepen your relationship with the piano.
By adding new techniques and methods from the course to your practice plan, you not only avoid the feeling of stagnation but also enrich your musical passion with deeper understanding and greater joy in playing.
Lack of Challenge
It’s easy to stay in your comfort zone, especially once you’ve reached a certain level on the piano. But without new challenges and incentives, the learning process often lacks the necessary “push” to move forward.
Psychological Hurdles
Self-doubt, fear of mistakes, or excessively high expectations of yourself can also lead to a plateau. The mental side of learning is just as important as the physical.
Recognizing the causes of a plateau is the first step to overcoming it. But what strategies and tips can help you get back on track?
How Can You Overcome a Plateau in Piano Playing?
Every learning process, including piano playing, benefits from fresh perspectives. Try to look at piano playing from a different angle. This could mean choosing a new piece of music you’ve never played before, or even exploring a completely different musical genre.
Tip: Check out our list of the best beginner piano pieces for this.
The Power of Variety
Variety is the spice of life – and of learning! Regularly switch between different exercises or techniques. For example, if you always practice the same piece, you could try playing it in a different key.
Set Clear Goals
It’s important to have a clear idea of where you want to go. Setting small, achievable goals can help you measure your progress and boost your motivation. Perhaps you want to master a specific piece by a certain date or learn a new technique.
Take a Break
It sounds counterintuitive, but sometimes the best thing you can do is take a short break. Give your brain and fingers time to process what you’ve learned. When you come back, you often feel refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges.
Plateaus can be challenging, but they also offer a valuable opportunity for reflection and growth. It’s not the plateau itself, but how you react to it, that makes the difference.
What if the Plateau is Still there?
First of all: It’s perfectly okay. Everyone, truly every musician, no matter how talented or experienced, eventually reaches their limits. The most important thing is not to be too hard on yourself. A plateau is not the end of your musical journey, but just a section of it.
Seek External Support
Sometimes you just need a different perspective. If you feel stuck despite all your efforts, a teacher or coach could offer you new insights and strategies. An external opinion can often work wonders!
Re-evaluate your Goals
Sometimes it’s necessary to pause and consider what you truly want to achieve. Are your goals realistic? Have your musical interests perhaps changed? It’s always allowed to change course and explore new paths.
Patience, Patience, and more Patience
It can be frustrating, but remember: Success takes time. As with everything in life, there are ups and downs, and patience is often the best companion.
If all else Fails: a New Beginning
If you feel like you’ve tried everything and are still stuck, then it might help to start something completely new. A new piece of music, a new musical genre, or even a different instrument could bring the necessary change.
Play Piano by Intuition
Conclusion
The journey of piano playing is one of constant growth, discovery, and, yes, occasional plateaus. It’s completely natural to feel stuck sometimes, but such moments also offer an opportunity for self-reflection and reorientation.
A plateau is not a sign of a lack of talent or ability, but rather proof that you are committed and making progress. It reminds us to be patient, adapt our strategies, and above all, believe in ourselves.
Don’t forget that you’re not alone. Every pianist, from beginner to professional, has experienced these feelings of stagnation. Overcoming these plateaus not only makes you a better musician but also teaches you valuable lessons in perseverance, adaptability, and self-confidence.
So, enjoy every note, every melody, even the challenging moments, because they shape your unique musical path. It is this constant process of learning and growing that makes piano playing so incredibly rewarding.
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Play Piano by Intuition
Master Keys Without Sheet Music
With the new turbo training, you'll be proficient in every key signature within just a few weeks.
(no knowledge of sheet music required)
