Have you learned an instrument as an adult?

[Stickystitch]

Has anyone successfully managed to learn a musical instrument as an adult?

I've always wanted to be able to play the piano but my god lessons are expensive (and hard to find availability near me). I really need someone keeping me on track. How did you manage to learn? Any tips?

There’s an app isn’t there - Simply Piano - try that perhaps?

This came up just recently and the consensus was "yes" - there were some good suggestions:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4665617-to-think-i-can-learn-to-play-the-piano-as-an-adult

If you take it up, there is a long running piano playing thread you could join which I've linked to in the above thread. Good luck!

My DH started when 40 (I got lessons and hired a guitar as one of his presents as he'd always said he'd like to play).
He's been learning (in person but then online when his teacher moved country) on and off, for the past 10 years or so and is quite good now!
Online is great as ultra flexible and not expensive.

Currently a dm to 4 teens. I have mastered the harmoanica.. Sorry no useful contribution at all.

DH has just started drumming lessons and is completely hooked. I'm dreading the homework!

are you wanting to be taught how to read music at the same time?
if you have an “ear” for music, you might be able to practice what you’ve picked up yourself, enough to replay a whole piece of music without the sheet music or official lessons.
I for the first time in my mid forties picked up a guitar and went for weekly evening lessons at a school.
this was before the internet.
only thing I disliked was traveling to lessons in cold and icy weather 🥶
but to answer your question, I believe it is possible to learn anything anyway a later age…
it depends on your enthusiasm, aptitude, and support from family to help out if you need it to care for little ones whist you learn and spend time daily to practice your instrument.
what I liked about using a guitar, is that I could just sling it over my (in its protective cover) shoulder, and go anywhere with it.
it was lovely to be able to visit my elderly parent, to play for them, and bless their ears, sing along also.
not so easy to travel with a piano!
good luck, and it sounds like you have the right attitude and have determination 👍

Yep, I have been playing the flute for about 12 yrs .. if I had started learning as child I would be very accomplished by now.. it’s much harder as an adult but I can play and love it… struggle to practice at times.

I started age 40, I do have lessons with a teacher though including theory.
See if you can get lessons online, might be cheaper.

You can learn to the play the piano to a reasonable standard in maybe 8 to 10 years (? depending on natural aptitude and commitment to practice) with a good teacher. So it's not too late to start.

Yep - flute. Basically practise and follow a lesson style book like the ‘tune a day’. A tutor will help massively - but I sympathise, not always available time or budget wise.
The big advantage (imo) is that you can practice/aim too play music you want, however the downside of this is that you may miss pieces of music which improve /expand your technique…
If you want to do it - do it!

Yes! I learnt to play the bagpipes in my 30s!! (I did play the clarinet at school so maybe had a headstart).

That was via a local community music group that also offered ukulele, violin and penny whistle.

I played the ukulele for 6 years as an adult

I started learning to play the piano when I was 38 - I’m now 44 and on grade 4.

Not quite an adult, but started learning to play a pipe organ at 16. Gave up at 19 after I met xh. He was jealous - a whole other story.

Yes, learned guitar when I was 41. 2 years later I now play guitar, uke, banjo, bass and just starting piano

I'm 26 and I've recently fell in love with the xylophone! I tried a few instruments out in my teens and never got on with them, my DH bought me a proper xylophone last month and I'm hooked. I've been teaching myself Christmas songs. 🎄

I'm learning guitar now, having learned piano, flute and voice in my teens via lessons. I am learning online, which I am finding not as easy as with a live teacher, but it's not too much of a challenge. I'm finding my fingers are much stiffer and less flexible now though. Can still span a ninth on the piano, so I hope things will ease up. I really hope you love learning. Hot tip for beginner piano: Khatchaturian and Satie for easy early pieces.

I'm learning the piano (in my 50s). I use a paid for online platform pianote.com (part of musora, so they also teach guitar, drums and singing). There's an online syllabus called The Method which you can follow at your own pace. It costs about $200 per year. They are based in Canada.

I am really enjoying it, although I'm not very good. It's good value for money and it's good to do something else with your brain. They teach classical/chording/pop/jazz etc, and how to read music.

Online is probably no match for proper in-person lessons though, which is what I would do if I had the time.