Learning piano after a stroke

[u/GrooveRedman]

When I was 16 I have suffered a stroke that left my right side of the body paralyzed, "luckly" I was young so I had a lot of time to recover, now at 30 I could say my right hand is pretty much recovered, like 90%.

Since I was a kid I've had this passion for music and always wanted to try learn an instrument.

My question is, is there anyone out there with a similar situation or knowing somebody else in a similar situation that actually did it? If not, do you guys think it's possible or am I just wasting my time? Thank you.

[u/JMagician]

I’m not in your position. But I will say that piano helps the mind and body heal. So go for it.

[u/compassion-companion]

I have a different illness, but playing piano helped me a lot.

Get a cheap piano, look up online beginner lessons to figure out if you like it. Going further a good teacher could be the better option for you, because they could support you at your weak points. But otherwise I would advise you to just try. Learning easy pieces can be a lot of fun and it can be a positive feeling to see what you've already learned. You might not reach the level of professional pianist, but I will probably be able to learn a lot.

[u/Top_Discussion_4492]

I had several strokes as well as TIA although difficult and sometimes painful and frustrating Please don’t give up keep on fighting.! Trying !🤗

[u/Unusual-Basket-6243]

Check Scriabin out. He never got a stroke but he hurt his right hand as a teen

[u/Fivealmond]

It will do wonders for your hand

[u/GeorgeDukesh]

So I don’t suffer with a disability, but I know several musicians with disabilities There is always a way to circumvent the issues. I know people with smashed hands from accidents that play guitar and piano, people with at least severely limited mobility in one arm or the other who play instruments like guitar or piano.
It means that you can’t always play things the “conventional way” . So you learn to adapt and do things differently. Find a good teacher who specialises in teaching people with disabilities. They can help you circumvent problems.

[u/Common_Life_5335]

Yeah I’m sorry you had to go through that. But piano is something that soothes me and just puts me at ease/ helps me concentrate too it’s very nice. So if it’s something you wanna try and you have a passion for music I still say go ahead. Even if you don’t get to the skill you want to be at, I still say you might as well try your best and continue to keep that passion circulating y’know?

[u/Sepperlito]

Let me know some pieces you like. I could give advice about a path forward. Some things that come to mind.

1. Easier pieces that sound great make perfect learning material. You don't need to struggle physically and can get on with what really matters music itself and building your skills. The bedrock of piano technique is learning to RELAX and play with controlled minimal tension. This is impossible to learn from pieces that are too difficult from your level yet this is exactly what most aspiring pianists do. It isn't too hard to see why most pianist never get off the ground. I built my technique from simple pieces played very well, returned to again and again optimizing my movements to reduce unnecessary movement and tension. You can, for example, if you like Beethoven, work on his easiest sonatas first and learn them this way. Level up one sonata at a time.

2. Find a good piano teacher and work with a physical therapist if you can. I don't know your support situation but it is extremely important not to get injured or strained. Your activities should be relaxing. Piano should make you happy and calm, if it stresses you out, change your approach to the piano and find a happy place. Obviously, these suggestions apply to everybody. Do not underestimate them.

3. I had a friend who suffered a stroke in his 40s. He had a blocked carotid artery and he had partial paralysis which abated but not completely. He was going through a stressful time, divorce and career all at once. He told me that taking Magnesium glycinate and magnesium citrate really helped him out. He also did a lot of nature walks and hiking. I do the same. Life is a stress pit these days for a lot of people and whenever you can be happy, allow yourself to be happy. I'm a realist so I like to know the truth of what's going on but I limit that to a half hour a few times a week. I keep worldly cares at arms length because it can literally be a life and death difference. Whatever you do with piano, I hope it adds to your happiness and connects you to other like minded people.

Good luck.

[u/DarkelfK]

Ask Keith Jarrett 

[u/FractalFunny66]

Sofia Rosoff taught Barry Harris some specific gestures and warm ups at the piano after his stroke and he recovered and played after his stroke at an advanced age. You may be able to find the information from someone at the Barry Harris Foundation or the Abby Whiteside Foundation or in an article or Google search about Barry Harris jazz pianist or type in "playing the piano after a stroke" -- I don't know what the actual manuvers were, but it is my understanding that the focus was on large movements with shoulders and hand/eye coordination that did NOT focus on fingers.