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Original poster

Has anyone started to learn to play a musical instrument as an adult?

14 replies

FrayedKnot · 20/10/2006 21:53

I had the opportunity to learn a musical instrument as a child but decided not to.

I really regret it now but wonder if it is possible to learn, really, properly, as an adult?

OP posts:
wannaBe1974 · 20/10/2006 22:02

I gave piano lessons to a friend of my mum's. she's 50. As I don't read sheet music my methods were slightly unconventional but i taught her the basics and also taught her several pieces - she has now gone on to learn sheet music etc.

wannaBe1974 · 20/10/2006 22:03

what instrument do you want to learn to play. How easy it will be does depend on the instrument and how difficult it is and how much time you will have to devote to practice etc.

sis · 20/10/2006 22:11

Dh has always wanted to be able to play a musical instrument so I booked him some lessons as part of his 40th birthday present six months ago and he loves it. He is very disciplined in doing his 'homework' because he really wants to learn.

If you want to learn to do something then go for it - even if you don't 'master' it - it can be fun just learning!

southeastastra · 20/10/2006 22:20

i took guitar lessons at 24 until i was about 26 it was a great stressbuster though i did spend quite a bit on the kit!

CorpseBrideOfJohnCusack · 20/10/2006 22:30

my brother is learning to play the piano aged 45 (he's been doing it for about a year). He did have lessons when he was a kid but it didn't come to much. He's loving it!

I am a musician/teacher too and although it can be harder learning as an adult (as in you might not pick it up as quickly, you may be more impatient for results, you may have to fight against learnt/habitual muscular things, you have less time for it), it can also be better as you may be much more disciplined about practice, and also more realistic in your expectations.

as an adult you're probably not going to be a virtuoso, but you can easily learn enough to enjoy music and that's the main thing really isn't it? Also, there are loads of adult learner groups for you to go to, especially with stringed instruments, so you get to play with other people - possibly the best aspect about being a musician.

Bucketsofbloodydinosaurs · 21/10/2006 09:59

An ex-boyfriend taught me lots of guitar chords when I was 21 and I've got my own guitar and lots of pop/rock books with the chord tab. I got quite good at singing and playing at the same time but never learned barre chords as I am lazy.
Bear in mind when you first learn guitar it bloomin hurts your fingers and you can't have long nails on your left hand.
Sadly, I hardly practise at all these days with 2 small kids and I'm too scared now as my finger tips are too soft, I'd have to commit to building up the callouses. Sexy huh?

turquoise · 21/10/2006 10:17

I did a couple of terms learning the oboe a few years back, but I knew the fingering because I played the sax as a teenager. It was fitting in the time for practice I found a problem, but if you think you'll have time, go for it! It is incredibly rewarding. What instrument?
I have a friend aged 38 who's been learning the guitar for a year and is doing really well, has lessons every two weeks and has a lot of time to tinker about with it.

threebob · 21/10/2006 10:21

I've taught a couple of adult beginners this year and they are doing really well. I make a point of telling them all the things they can do easily that children find difficult as they show themselves and they find this very motivating as they assumed children just learn it all really easily.

zephyrHellcat · 21/10/2006 10:25

Wannabe - I'd love to hear about yur ways of teaching... When I was little I was always told i was musically 'gifted' as I could pick up any instrument and play it within a few hours through playing by ear. I had guitar lessons when I was about 10 and was getting though a book a week, and then gave up when my teacher went to uni.

I would love to play the piano but can't read music, I play totally from ear... are there methods of teaching yourself like this?

Kittypickle · 21/10/2006 10:46

I am going to learn the piano when I get time, not sure when that will be exactly, probably when DS starts school in 2008. I have warned DD's piano teacher already ! A friend of mine started to learn a couple of years ago. I heard her at the beginning then after she had been doing it for some time, she has done really well.

Orlando · 21/10/2006 11:02

((whispers)) I'd love to learn the cello. I've wanted to for about 10 years now and just don't know how to go about it. Also I've got so used to wanting to and not knowing how to go about it I've never confessed it to anyone before.

foulmoonfiend · 21/10/2006 11:03

I am hoping my ds will teach me to play guitar as he learns. twill help him to make sense of what he is learning too, I hope.

foulmoonfiend · 21/10/2006 11:05

I also hyvae 2 friends who have leanred violin and banjo/guitar/mandolin in their late 40s. They have been learning for 5 years and are very proficient IMO now plus they get so much enjoyment! However, they do not have to work, so are able to spend a lot of time practising and attending little workshops etc.

MadamePlatypus · 21/10/2006 11:14

Me and DH! I have a piano and he has a guitar. We have loads of fun learning and feel under no pressure to reach a particular standard. If you are a child and have no great talent for something you are encouraged to give up. However as an adult I don't care if I am not going to be a world class pianist/runner/knitter as long as I am enjoying it.

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