piano

[Flute56]

I have been learning the piano for about 15 years. I am age 60. Someone told me it is strange for someone of my age to still continue to have lessons. Most people stop at a younger age. I was told what is the point of continuing on and when is it going to stop and I cannot continue forever. This has made me question myself and wonder if I am making myself look stupid or that the only reason I am being encouraged to continue to take lessons at my age is because the teacher is getting money from me and that is the only reason. My money is the tutors income. Most of the other students at the place wehre I go are children. There are some older adults but they are not 60. I would say they are in their 40s or 50s. My thoughts on this are that if you enjoy something why give it up but I was told by someone that if I have had a few years of lessons then I should be able to just play at home on my own and stop the lessons because by now, I should have reached a standard where I can pick up a piece of music and play it. Yes I can do that but if I want to play more advanced things then I need guidance and that is why I still go to lessons.

I was then asked, how many people do you know who still have lessons at your age and my answer was nobody but then on the other hand most people learn as young children which I did not and they would reach an advanced stage very early on whereas the older adult would reach advanced stage much later in life so that is why some of them continue to have lessons at my age.

What do others think of this

My mum is considering starting piano lessons. She's 78.
Never heard such nonsense in my life. You do what makes you happy, not to match up to someone else's ideas/jealousy.

I think if you’re still learning and you enjoy it, you should carry on and ignore these people.

A friend of mine teaches piano. The majority of her students are children/teens but she has had quite a few older people have lessons over the years and some that have continued for many years.

I started lessons with her about 5 years ago and don’t plan on stopping. I’m in my 40s.

How did your mum get on and how long did she keep doing it for

Do you enjoy your time with the piano? Do you enjoy the support from your teacher?

Personally, if it gives me that much joy and satisfaction, why would you stop? It’s a person/s opinion; no right or wrong answer. I think it’s good to take up personal challenges in life, and to continue to do so at all ages.

I would listen to but not necessarily care about these opinions. Keep on enjoying life; it’s a worthwhile investment

I was 45 when I started.

Yes I enjoy my time with the piano. I have also had some flute lessons but no longer have flute lessons because I cannot afford the time or money on both instruments so with the flute I practice on my own at home and have had enough lessons to know the basics and what I want to know I look on youtube tuition videos. I suppose I could do the same with the piano but I watched a video made by a young man who taught himself and reached a high standard playing things I would not be able to play. However, when he went to a teacher and played one of the pieces, the teacher said he had done a good job but there was a lot of room for improvement to make it sound more polished

I just started, at 45, and very much hope I will still be taking lessons at 60 and far beyond.
Working with a teacher makes the whole process even more of a joy. Why would you deprive yourself of the enjoyment? Keep going with the lessons. And don't listen to the opinions of your sour-mouthed friend!

Actually my friend can play an organ. She took organn lessons at age 11 and stopped at 13. Not sure why she stopped but she did play the organ for me when she was in her 20s. She cannot play a pipe organ but she can play a small electronic organ but she never progressed to play anything complicated and she has not had the inclination to try playing anymore. She has virtually given it up for some reason but I do admire her because playing an organ is more complicated than playing the piano because you have to use all the foot pedals and read the music not only for the keyboard but look at where it says play the pedals and know what pedals to play and when. Even my piano tutor said she would not want to learn the organ because it is too complicated and then when you move onto pipe organs you have all the stops to pull in and out but I guess once you have been taught it comes naturally. Anything looks complicated until you try