I agree that 3 hours on hannons (pattern excercices) on the piano a day might hold you back. But that's not playful. I built my own metronome. Disasemble the pi

I agree that 3 hours on hannons (pattern excercices) on the piano a day might hold you back. But that's not playful. I built my own metronome. Disasemble the piano! Really. I admit that I will never be a good pianist, but have made good music, with others, on keys. It is really difficult to be mindfull and conscious of your production. I try swapping modalities. Loop record some chords on top of euclidean rythms... Swap to the drums. Obviously the dilettante approach can also be a dead end. But I've been learning music, more and more this way for decades. I'll never be a virtuoso, but have recordings where I think, wow, was that really me? Does help to play with others who help 'carry' you. I have a similar approach to software. PS. I did have to save for the basement studio.