Can I learn to play an instrument in my 50s?

[NotALightPacker]

I have no musical background. My parents paid for music lessons for my brother but not for me (whole other backstory). Husband and son are both musical and I would love to be able to play an instrument but not sure where to start.

My favourite instruments are the cello (probably too hard?) and the oboe (may not have the breath for this one).

We have these instruments in the house already:

Bass guitar
Electric and acoustic guitar
Ukele
Drum kit - traditional and electronic
Electronic piano
Clarinet

If something else is easier to learn I'm open to buying something.

I don't know how to read music so I guess I need to start by learning that.

Has anyone successfully learned an instrument as a (mature) adult? How did you do it?

Absolutely you can, no idea how, but if you want to you will be able to. Personally I’d start with the piano and you tube

Download the simply piano app

Yes definitely you can do it. Just google for teachers local to you in your chosen instrument then drop an email to check availability/prices. I am learning as an adult and progressing well. Not as fast as my kids but definitely progressing

Yes

If you fancy learning guitar you can get the music in a TAB format which is simpler to learn to read than "normal" music. You can learn just a few chords and be able to play a lot of songs.

Yes but you should pay for lessons so the tutor can correct your technique and stop you developing bad habits.

Practise makes permanent so if you try and teach yourself you're likely to get really good at playing badly, which will be more difficult to unlearn than just learning correctly from the beginning.

Definitely! It’s sooooo good for your brain. We should all always be learning something new, music is a great one.

I vote piano, with a teacher. Piano is great because all the notes are clearly laid out before you. It’s so handy for learning theory, how chords are formed etc, you can see it right in front of you. Definitely advise trying to actually read music too, rather than just tabs. Chord charts are great but it’s like learning an automatic car before a manual - you will just never bother learning to drive manual/read music because automatic/chord charts are so much easier. And then there will be gaps in your knowledge for when you do inevitably then want to learn more in depth stuff (speaking from experience here 😄)

Of course you can!! Go for it! It’s like a hobby

I started learning the ukulele a couple of years ago, I'm enjoying that

Yes of course.

Think of it like this. In 8 years time you can be 8 years older and wishing you had learned to play an instrument, or you can be 8 years older and doing your 8th grade music exam in your chosen instrument(s).

I started learning cello 4.5 years ago at age 50 and am about to take grade 8. I play in an amateur orchestra. So yes! You definitely can!

I'd choose cello, because it has a lovely sound, not as screechy as the violin, and also you'll be able to play it with others before long, even in just beginners orchestras and ensembles, and there is a lot to be said for solidarity and company when learning an instrument as an adult!

But it depends a bit what kind of music you are hoping to play, and what type of sound appeals to you.

Oh wow, this is amazing! Was that your first instrument?

I learned both piano and guitar. I found guitar easier to learn (and you don't HAVE to read music), but building dexterity in your hands is harder and takes time.

Also, anything with strings is going to hurt your fingers when you begin. After a few weeks the callouses are tough enough that you won't feel pain.

I would probably recommend piano for someone with no musical history. Good luck! Definitely get a tutor; don't learn off youtube or an app. They are meant to help, not instruct.

Yes! I would recommend an instrument for which there is a low-level ensemble for adults locally. I have learned a wind instrument as an older adult, initially at an adult beginners’ group at my local music centre, now part of a wind band specifically targeted at adult learners and returners. Attending weekly / fortnightly is a) social but also b) forces me to practise, which I would otherwise have much less motivation for.

Wind bands, brass bands and ukekeles seem to be the commonest for adult groups. Piano is more ‘obvious’ but ever so lonely.

I’d recommend a teacher if you can’t read music. I could read music, having learned recorder as a child, and that was a huge help initially. I’ve also had a few lessons at key ‘oooh, it’s just got tricky’ moments.

Go for it!

My mum picked up the oboe at 50 with no previous musical training and has both excelled at it and really loves it. Start with whichever instrument brings you the most joy, because you'll need it when the practice gets difficult/boring. There are always plateaus, and love of the instrument can bring you through. As for the lungs - that comes with practice, like muscles for sport. Don't overthink it. Go for it! And good luck!

Oh wow, this is amazing! Was that your first instrument?

I learnt violin as a child up to grade 6 so I had some musical background but I did no music between the ages of 18 and 50. But I do know plenty of people who started cello from scratch in middle age and older with no musical background who are playing in orchestras and generally enjoying music! The cello is such a beautiful instrument! Go for it!

That's fab. How quickly you progressed.

I'm well into my 40's, and have recently started bass guitar - I play other instruments, but nothing stringed, so it's definitely possible, though I'll never be a good bassist!

A few questions to decide on an instrument:

Do you want to play with others? If so, probably not a piano!

1. if you do, maybe worth working out what context that could be; it may determine the instrument

Piano is, I think, pretty tough to get reasonably good on - DD got to grade 1 in two years; she was grade 3 on a wind instrument in that time. I'm not suggesting you do grades, but it gives an idea of difficulty. I was similar as a child.

Do you want to play tunes? If so, maybe not a guitar or bass

Advantages of guitar/bass: they are fretted, so once the instrument is tuned, you'll (pretty much!) play in tune, also the case with the piano, definitely not the case with the cello! I don't know how much this matters to you (or the others in your household....)

You can learn breath control, but age isn't your friend - might be worth talking to a teacher before you take up a wind instrument in case this is a real struggle for you. Oboe doesn't require a huge volume of breath, but you do need to be able to provide quite a bit of pressure - I wish I'd known this as a child, as it's not an instrument I play, but it might have suited me better. However the instrument is fairly expensive, and the reed regularly needs replacing, so it's not a cheap option.

Good luck!

I had oboe lessons as a kid. I love the sound and it's always in demand. Unfortunately my parents were unhappy to tolerate the demented duck noises (daily practise) so I was relegated to the garage with the car windscreen wipers acting as a music stand. It didn't last long 😆

Yes but choose an instrument you want to play rather that something just because it’s convenient.

If you're living in the midlands/wales/north, how about joining a brass band? They are very supportive places to learn and offer a great community!
But pick an instrument and style of music you love most of all!

OP, I've just come back from my piano lesson. I'm 65 and started to have lessons a month ago after never playing an instrument before. I'm slow and my fingers are a bit stiff but I really enjoy my lesson and my practise at home everyday.

I started to learn piano 6 months ago at the age of 53. I have weekly lessons with a teacher which are invaluable. I have just passed Grade One music theory with distinction. The performance exams take more preparation but a solid grounding in theory is irreplaceable. I mainly taught myself theory ( apart from what was required in the lessons of course) and just asked my teacher a couple of questions when I got stuck.