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Music

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Original poster

Learning an instrument as an adult

25 replies

notnearlyasblondasiwas · 14/05/2010 07:56

I have just started learning the flute, have never played an instrument before - all my friends and family seem to think it is a really weird thing to do, but I am loving it. Please reassure me that I am not the only one to take up an instrument in my 30s (also find it particularly amusing that I am planning to do the grade exams) I am not that odd am I?

OP posts:

goingnotavoting · 14/05/2010 08:00

Well, if you are - i am too

Took up the violin....and planning on starting the cello.

Good luck, how's it going?

Original poster

notnearlyasblondasiwas · 14/05/2010 08:11

I LOVE it! I wish I had done it years ago. I am so glad I am not the only one! Have only been playing about 2 months, but it is just so much fun. I don't have heaps of time to practise, as I have a 7.5 month old DD but it is really lovely to do something for myself a couple of times a week. I am now plotting to get a piano in a couple of years so I can play that too and get DD into it if she is keen.

Do you mind me asking why you chose the Violin?

OP posts:

AnyFuleKno · 14/05/2010 08:12

no, that's fab! well done you. Your friends and family are being dullards.

daftpunk · 14/05/2010 14:34

Didn't learn to play the piano until I was about 25 ...can play "she moves in her own way" on the guitar...woohoo!

Never too late..

(Didn't realize you'd changed your name abit Anyfucker...if that's you ?)

Iklboo · 14/05/2010 14:35

DH started playing guitar 18 months ago - he's 33 this month.

noddyholder · 14/05/2010 14:39

My dp is a drummer and also teaches several of his pupils have been adults and have all without question been nuts .We have a house ful of iinstruments but I sadly am jack of all master of none.i think you should go for it

daftpunk · 14/05/2010 14:44

Being a bit nuts is a good thing...all the best people I know are slightly crazy...

Original poster

notnearlyasblondasiwas · 14/05/2010 20:16

Sorry just back - have been out all day. Good, glad to know not just me getting the urge to be artistic! Funnily, would never have thought I was particularly nutty, but there you are!

OP posts:

AnyFuleKno · 15/05/2010 23:05

Nope not AnyFucker! A different any...

daftpunk · 15/05/2010 23:15

Oh sorry...

bruffin · 15/05/2010 23:27

I played the flute and recorder at school, when my dcs started to learn the piano I started teaching myself from their books.

I would love to get myself a flute again!

said · 16/05/2010 23:54

How "easy" is it to learn the flute? I'm put off stringed instruments beacuse you have to tune them (and we've got quite a variety in the house)

Clary · 17/05/2010 00:02

I am tempted to take up piano actually.

We have bought the blardy thing (for DS2 after 6 mo of free-renting) so what's not to like???

(I am a lot older than my 30s btw )

Prolesworth · 17/05/2010 00:04

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cat64 · 17/05/2010 00:25

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bruffin · 17/05/2010 07:59

If you can play a recorder you can play the flute, as long as you can get the embouchre right. I don't think it's that difficult.

5Foot5 · 19/05/2010 19:52

Hey - 30s is is nothing!

My DH had never played an instrument in his life, couldn't even read music, but had always fancied the saxophone. As he approached the big 5-0 I suggested I get him one for a present. He was a bit nervous at first because they are expensive and he thought it would be a terrible waste if he got it then couldn't hack it at all. Anyway we hired him a cheap instrument for 3 months and he found a teacher.

After a few weeks he realised he probably could manage it so I bought him a new one for his birthday. That was 2 years ago but he is still going strong, has joined a wind band and is taking his Grade 2 shortly.

Actually I now know a number of people who took up the saxophone at 50. It must be a sort of mid-life thing, at least round here!

webchick · 20/05/2010 20:28

I took up the flute in my v late 30s and love it, wish I had done so years ago. I play the piano so was able to read music which was a bonus. I now have a keyboard which helps me pick out flute tunes my teacher gives me.

mizu · 31/05/2010 14:37

We are looking into getting a piano and I would love to start learning to play.

sarah293 · 31/05/2010 14:41

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Elasticwoman · 31/05/2010 19:26

I've had several adult piano pupils, but not all of them were beginners when I took them on. Some choose to do grade exams and some don't.

One of my child pupils has a mother who sits and has coffee with dh while I teach her. Had a conversation with the mother in which she expressed an interest in learning for herself. Oh good, said the daughter - then I can have coffee with Mr Elasticwoman!

annoyingdevil · 31/05/2010 20:30

I have recently passed grade 3 piano, after starting a couple of years ago.

Am now learning jazz piano as well as classical (which enables me to improvise and be creative)

Not planning on stopping anytime soon. In fact, I hope to be able to teach one day

sarah293 · 31/05/2010 21:36

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southeastastra · 31/05/2010 21:38

i took guitar lessons at 26 have quite a nice few guitars and amps, languishing in the cupboard maybe we should start a band

MissTrumpton · 31/05/2010 21:40

I am learning the piano but I am really shit not very good. I don't practice enough but I will get there in the end and I really enjoy it. I quite fancy the cello but I'm not keen on anything you have to blow.

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