To ask for success stories about learning a skill later in life

[VanGoSunflowers]

Particularly a musical instrument!

I’m mid 30s and learning guitar and I can’t help but feel sad that I didn’t start earlier. Think how much better I would be now if I had!

So can you tell me an inspiring story about learning a new skill as an adult?

I took up karate at the age of 42 (S2 was introduced to it through school) and got my second-dan black belt eight years later.

I'd spent my adult life being decidedly unphysical, after an average childhood (three years of ballet lessons, three years of coming last in cross-country, took ages to do my silver personal survival test, played on the school hockey team once when lots of people were ill) and was very unfit with very little stretch and appalling core strength.

I still have dubious core strength (am beginning to wonder if I have diastasis recti) still don't have much stretch and still can't move anywhere near as fast as everyone else - but I am now a Person Who Does A Physical Activity.

(Despite my seniority I never win sparring because (a) congenital lack of speed (b) spent 40 years making a point of staying bolt upright )

Someone in my former piano/keyboard group passed her ABRSM grade 3, having taken it up just a very few years previously, and having never even touched a piano before.

She was probably late 40s-early 50s, though obviously I didn’t ask!

My sister took up piano in her 30s and loved it. I wouldn’t say she got past about grade 3-4 level, but she had lessons for about 5 years and loved it.
I took up the saxophone in my 30s, though I already played several instruments so it’s not quite the same - found it fairly easy. I’ve also tried ceramics and water colours with varying success!
Picking up new skills when you’re a bit older (30s is hardly old though!!) is always going to be easier if you have a foundation to build on such as a previous instrument, but certainly shouldn’t be a barrier to having a go and reaching a good standard.
Hope you enjoy guitar!

I don’t know if this counts, but I started sewing (no formal teaching beyond a six week session in DT at school, taught myself with trial and error/blogs/YouTube) when I was about 22, I can now make my own clothes, clothes for my children, and have also made quilts and curtains too.
Still can’t crochet though, I’ve tried more than once. I wish someone had taught me when I was a child.

I teach piano and flute and have had some great adult learners - oldest was in her late 60s. You need to balance your greater expectations of fast progress against that of a child who is often delighted just to be able to play Old MacDonald on the black keys 😄.

At the grand old of age of 54 I’ve learnt to paddle board this summer and loving it. Never too late to learn something new!

I took up Karate at the age of 45, had made it to my brown belt when Lockdown struck and then my sensei decided to stop teaching. I have yet to pluck up the courage to find another. (Kata is my strength - sparring is NOT!)

I also started Irish Dance at about 48. I am 53 now and quite reasonable. (although I am currently grounded due to a broken ankle)

I refuse to let age stop me!

I’ve just bought an acoustic guitar and also want to learn. Any tips?

Passed my driving test two months ago at 41

@Sacredspace

I’ve just bought an acoustic guitar and also want to learn. Any tips?

YouTube is your friend! Try and learn a few basic chords and start playing songs you like straight away to keep you motivated. And just practice as much as possible even if it seems like you’re not improving. It does make a difference!

Good luck!

I got to competency at Grade 4-5 pieces on piano, age 38-42.
Self-taught from books.
I am profoundly amusical. Enjoyed it for a few years, though.

Also since age 40 learned... patchwork, quilting, how to use a sewing machine. How to change car wheels, how to make soup. Other stuff I forget about.

I took up sewing aged 45 and haven't bought any clothes in over 2 years.

My DH took up guitar in his 30s and is pretty good now.

@ReviewingTheSituation

I took up sewing aged 45 and haven't bought any clothes in over 2 years.

My DH took up guitar in his 30s and is pretty good now.

How long has he been playing?

I started playing the flute in November 2018. I passed grade 5 earlier this year and plan to do grade 6 in the autumn. Definitely do-able and in fact my flute teacher herself started as an adult.

I did have to teach myself grade 5 theory earlier this year which was... interesting!!! But I did achieve a distinction which was gratifying.

I learnt how to cycle at 35 and now sometimes ride a motorcycle.

My grandmother. She started learning piano in her late twenties, married to a wealthy soldier. In her thirties, divorced with a young child, she made it a career - graduated from a prestigious music school (I cannot remember the name), taught music as a private teacher and in her 70s was playing concerts and even released a CD

My mum took up pottery, from scratch, in her sixties. She ended up winning loads of gold awards, being invited to join some prestigious potters group and being offered solo shows in London galleries.

Definitely possible.