To want to learn an instrument in my 30s?

[PandaAtTheZoo]

I have always wanted to learn to play the piano. But I grew up quite poor and my parents couldn't afford lessons and there was no online tutorials at the time. Could I learn now at the age of 32? Perhaps getting a cheap keyboard and finding some good online tutorials to try to see how I find it as a start? Setting aside 30 minutes a day to practice. Any of you learnt an instrument or a language as an adult? How did it go?

If you can count to 8, know the alphabet and know a few fractions, you can learn to read music. If you "have a good ear" as musicians say, it will be even easier. I say DO IT. The satisfaction of learning something new is wonderful. However, every piano student ever goes through a frustrating phase while their brain learns to read music and translate that to both hands and fingers, and that is when most quit. If you keep on after that, you will be really pleased and progress faster.

YANBU. I'm 35 and I've just started learning to play the tuba. My mum had singing lessons in her thirties and she's fucking brilliant now, she got into the Halle Choir and everything. There's plenty of time.

I’d love to learn music. Same scenario - parents were too poor to pay for lessons and instruments. Then I was a student, and a young adult working two jobs, now a mum - I don’t have time. I’m still hoping that one day when DS is older I’ll be able to learn to play the piano.

I was very privileged as my parents paid for piano and violin lesson for me. I still play both (in my late 30s) and it brings me so much joy. It is very mentally relaxing. Playing in an ensemble such as an orchestra or quartet is incredibly fulfilling.

Please do it.

Do it do it do it!!

I'm learning the violin and I love it! Yes painful at the beginning, but really gives me a lovely feeling now. I have a teacher and I practice a lot because I want to.

Do it OP. I took up the piano 7 years ago at the age of 33.

You will need a tutor though to watch and guide you practically, as you can only get so far with online tutorials.

I practised loads and and took grade 5 as my first exam after 2 years of lessons. Got a distinction.

Took G5 theory a couple of years after to sit G7 practical and got 99%.

I don't have lessons anymore but still like to play from time to time. I am never going to become a concert level pianist but I know enough to amuse myself if I want to.

Just brought ds(8) a guitar for lessons. Iv been having a sneaky go. It's good fun

Do it. I took up the cello at your age. In the following 30 years I've also learnt the ukulele and the xylophone. Next week, at the age of 62, I'm starting the trumpet.
I'm not brilliant,, partly because I'm too lazy to practice as much as I should, but I've really enjoyed it and it's really good for my mental health

I did the same try youtube there are loads of fab tutorials good luck

I've never had a single lesson and self taught to the point I could happily while away an hour or so on my keyboard.

Assuming you don't want to be a concert pianist, I'd say hold off on the lessons until you know it's what you want to do.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll definitely go for it. Would a cheapish 61 key keyboard be okay for beginning with? Don't want to spend too much on something I may be bad at or give up on.

I’d be more concerned about getting something with weighted keys and hammer action as a normal keyboard feels nothing like a piano.

My mum started learning clarinet at age 71! She is limited because of arthritis in her fingers but really enjoys it and plays as part of a group sometimes. I don't think you have anything to worry about but I would say a teacher would probably be better to get you started rather than online tutorials. Just be realistic about what your goals are, eg is it just for fun or are you hoping to reach a higher level of proficiency?

I second playing no a real piano rather than a keyboard. The touch is not the same.

I got a gorgeous Roland electric piano for my birthday because I wanted to start playing again. It has a Bluetooth connection so I can use piano apps and it detects what you’re playing, whether it’s right, it’s amazing. Wasn’t cheap though!

"on" not "no".

Yes, I would get one of those keyboards to start. Mine saw me through to Grade 2 (and for an absolute beginner it will take several years to reach that level) so you'd certainly get your money's worth from it. Then you could move on to an 88 key keyboard with weighted keys - you can get a decent second hand one for about £200.00.