Overview#
I’m learning to play piano at age 70. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do — and now, I’m going for it.
But let’s be honest: the aging brain doesn’t pick things up the way it used to. Motor memory, pattern recognition, even just staying focused — it’s all a little slower, a little harder. I don’t have the luxury of wasting time on inefficient practice.
So I’m using AI to help — not just as a tutor, but as a co-pilot in my learning journey.
The Problem#
Traditional music education is built for young learners with endless time and plastic brains. I have some years of music behind me, but my fingers are new to the keyboard. The problem? I need to learn smarter, not harder — and fast.
The Solution#
I’m consulting with some LLMs for ideas and coding up AI-enhanced tools to accelerate the process:
- Interactive triad visualizers
- various practice apps
- Spaced repetition tools for chord memory
- Reflective journaling pipelines with AI assistance
Technical Details#
Stack#
- Frontend: HTML, JavaScript, TailwindCSS, and who knows what else
- AI Integration: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude
- Utilities: Python scripts for MIDI analysis and visualization (maybe – at least it sounds good)
- Hosting: GitHub Pages
Architecture#
The tools are mostly lightweight, client-side apps — some are being prototyped directly in-browser, while others may evolve into standalone Python apps or web utilities. One tool, for instance, is the Piano Triad Explorer — it highlights and plays triads on a virtual keyboard based on inversion and root selection.
function playTriad(root, type, inversion) {
// Render the chord on a virtual keyboard and play it
}Challenges & Learnings#
- Adapting AI tools to match my learning pace
- Coding for musical accuracy (enharmonic spelling is a beast)
- Designing UI/UX that supports learning, not just interaction
Most importantly, I’ve learned that curiosity and momentum matter more than speed.
Results & Impact#
The tools are already helping me visualize chords and hear relationships more clearly. I practice more consistently because I can build tools I want to use. Friends and collaborators are also curious about using these tools in their own learning.
Future Plans#
- Integrate voice recognition for verbal input?
- Build a “line learner” for playing and repeating short musical phrases
- Create a course-like flow for beginners over 60
Project Status: Active Development.
