Has anybody taught themselves a musical instrument ...

[RiverSkater]

And later in life?

I'm in my early 50s, do you think I could learn to play the piano? So much stuff online. Where would I start?

Only the accordion, later in life.

Taught myself the mandolin, guitar and piano as a teenager/in my 20s.

Do you play any other instruments?
Can you read music?

Although they seem babyish, I would start with a beginner's book. They will make sure you know the basics.

When I was younger I played the recorder and in those days also taught to read music but it's all a bit sketchy. Played violin for a short time.

My daughter learnt but stopped over lockdown. So we have this piano and nobody playing it.....

Dd has taught herself 3 additional instruments as a teen/20's to amateur orchestra standard but she's musically gifted and grade 8 on 3 main instruments

I started guitar at 30...

My advice would be to read up on beginner's courses. Say, Books I to IV work through them. Half an hour a day, every day. You'll soon be on your way.

@something2say

I started guitar at 30...

My advice would be to read up on beginner's courses. Say, Books I to IV work through them. Half an hour a day, every day. You'll soon be on your way.

So did I! And ukulele.

There are a lot of resources online now too, eg. the Fender Play website which teaches from absolute beginner level to advanced, including technique and theory.

I'm sure there's something similar for piano, OP.

My MIL has just taken up the piano again in retirement, after having a year of what sound like pretty ineffectual lessons as a small child. She loves it and sounds brilliant.

DH buys himself a new instrument every year and teaches himself to play it to a genuinely competent standard, but he's a complete freak of nature.

guitar, but could already play other instruments badly guitar is easy as you only need a few chords and you have a wealth of tunes to play. Taught my dc guitar for this reason, and because it's easy which helps motivation. That said Spanish guitar requires much more dexterity and skill than just strumming a few chords

You could if you really wanted.
You'll never be a world famous pianist but you can learn to play well enough to get great enjoyment out of it if you stick at it.
You do have to practice a bit every day really to progress & that's where most people fall down & let it slide.

If you already have a piano, what's stopping you just sitting down with a beginners book 1 & just having a go?

Hi op, I’m early 50’s, bought an electric piano and a couple of piano books and am teaching myself to play. I’ve put stickers on the keys, and re learnt to read music, I’m play very slowly but enjoying it 😊

@curlyfries

Hi op, I’m early 50’s, bought an electric piano and a couple of piano books and am teaching myself to play. I’ve put stickers on the keys, and re learnt to read music, I’m play very slowly but enjoying it 😊

I think I need stickers on the keys! 😆😊

I've started learning to play piano. I'm nearing 50 and have had no formal lessons. Discovered I don't have an untapped musical talent which is mildly disappointing! But, have managed to play twinkle twinkle little star with both hands which makes me inordinately proud. I have stickers and also have sharpie'd marked the keys. It was only a cheap keyboard though.

You can certainly learn the piano yourself. You do need to sit down and decide on your goals. If you want to have some fun pop pieces to play for people, you can pick up a surprising level from piano tutorials on YouTube.

If you want to learn the theory and how to read music from scratch, then a set of beginner books usually designed for children can walk you through the stages well.

Then, of course, it all comes down to regular practice. You get out what you put in! If that's difficult for you you might need to put in place some accountability and rewards or things to aim for, like being able to play X piece at Y's birthday party or even doing exams.

Ukulele. It's fab.