Picking up an Instrument Later in Life

I think it is harder to learn as an adult, but I do not think it is impossible. If you really want to learn how to play the piano - go for it. You have nothing to loose. Good luck

I realize this discussion was started awhile ago but I will respond anyways. I have a strong desire to learn to play piano. I started taking lessons when I was in middle school and then quit because I felt like the cost of the lessons was a burdern for my parents. I think I started up again in high school and quit for the same reason. I didn't even practice much, so I eventually stopped. I regret it now, because if I had stuff with it even after the second start, I would be a decent player by now. I do feel discouraged about trying to learn again now that I am almost 24. But learning to play is one of my life goals, simply for the enjoyment and satisfaction of being able to play. Now I am in college and dnt have the time to dedicate to lessons, but my goal is to teach myself as much as I can and then when the time allows, sign up for lessons again.

I think it is harder to learn anything new as an adult, but it definitely isnt' impossible. If you really put your mind to it, you can learn. It won't come natrually and you will probably have to work at it, but you can learn! You just never know what you are capable of until you do it. I myself want to learn how to play the guitar. We'll see if it ever happens! lol!

Well of course kids pick new things up much easier than adults. Their brains are cleaner slates than grown ups. Don't let that stop you. Anyone can learn anything at any age. It may be a little harder but if you have a passion for it, you will be able to do it. Nothing works better than practise. Practise makes perfect is one of the most overused sayings but that is because it is true. I say go for it!

That old saying ' can't teach an old dog new tricks' is WRONG... We are never too old to learn new things and if we keep learning daily our brain works better..Use it or you loose it..like many other things! xoxoxo

I believe it is all about your mind set. If you want to learn you will learn. I think people doubt themselves and that makes it harder to learn. I have learned so much as an adult, that I belive anything is possible.

I think with music either you have the talent or you don't, as a child I remember the awful music lessons we had and how the teacher used to laugh at me because I couldn't play the recorder. I was put off music at a very young age, I would have loved to have played the piano or any musical instrument, but I didn't have the acumen and we didn't have the money then. I don't think even as an adult I could learn, I guess I am not musically minded. It depends on the individual rather than being an adult.

hi there! well i will share my story. when i was in grade school, i think grade 2, i was tutored in piano by a neighbor who was a music teacher. she said i caught on well. however, i had to stop after a few sessions because my father lost his job and we could no longer afford to pay her fee. although it wasn't much, it was already an unecessary expense for a family whose father became jobless. anyway, when i became a professional and could affor tutorial, i enrolled in keyboard lessons. sadly, despite a year of training, i could not really identify the melodies by ear and even with a copy, i still make mistakes keying in the chords. sigh...i guess i am not into music after all. so i guess that answers your question...it is indeed harder when you are older. God bless and take care! :-)

Nope, its never to late to learn a play an instrument, just as long as you show some dedication, commitment, and most importantly, enjoy playing and love what you're doing! It will have to be FUN or it simply won't be done. It won't make it easier or harder to learn an instrument whether you're 8 or 80 years old. Most people especially need to dismiss the idea in order to play music, you must start really young. It couldn't be further from truth. Many kids take piano lessons, but 90% end up hating it and quit! I've been involved in music most of my life, starting at age 5 from playing the piano keyboard then taking on chorus, playing the trumpet, and guitar when I was 9(loved it!). Cool right? Well, I never really had any lessons, but I was the keyboard player of the band that my dad started along with my 3 sisters(a vocalist, guitarist, & bassist) and my brother who was the drummer. Well, it wasn't successful and we stopped! I'm what some people call gifted in playing music by ear. I didn't like chorus, but I stayed with band up until 8th grade. I moved to a different state as well, from New York to Florida and I started school 4 weeks later than everyone else did. Well, needless to say, I stopped playing the piano when I was in middle school, didn't continue music in high school, and my main interest at that time was more on computers(plan on majoring in Information Technology). I was when I was 16 years that I discovered music in a new way and took on the interest of playing the piano again. So that same year from 2006-2007, I decided I wanted to become a music producer and started to learn the piano. I don't know how for whatever reason, but one day back in 11th grade I was sitting in algebra class and decided to take out my agenda book and started sketching out what my studio would like in the future. It had a piano, two speakers, and a mixer all sitting on my desk. It made me want to get started playing again! Well, thanks to my solid musical background, I'm now able to play the keyboard on level 5(that being the highest?) and I'll be 18 soon. My family is utterly amazed at how well I can play! Bottom line is, if you're passionate about it, age won't make a difference. After all, you're only 24. It's still possible for this age group to become concert-level pianists! Just practice, practice, practice, and make it FUN! Good luck and God bless!

Personally what ever you set your mind too you can do, even as an adult. I know that's a really cheesy and silly statement but it's true. I think it's easier to learn a new instrument when you are younger and your brain is still developing (when it is acting more like a sponge, soaking in all of the knowledge). Most of all it takes discipline and how much you really want to learn how to play. I play the trumpet and violin, which I learned both when I was a kid. I would like to at some point learn how to play the tenor saxaphone, piano, bass, drums, and guitar. I only played the violin for a year, so it's unfair to say that I actually learned it, so I would like to learn how to play the violin better.

I think it's great to be able to play an instrument and, most important, acquire a musical education. When i was about 14 years old I had to choose what i wanted to do after class. Options were playing Badminton and going to guitar classes. Sports won, and i don't repent..i ended up going to the National Championships and sports are healthy, but I wish i had learned to play the guitar too. Anyway, one can't have it all hehe.

I have always wanted to play the guitar when I was a kid but never got the chance since my parents could not afford to send me to a music class. Now, I can afford a music class but I simply do not have the time to attend one. LOL!

I started to learn guitar seriously only when I was 17, and many kept telling me that it is too late, but I did not give up, and after some years I even managed to start my own band. So, it is never late to learn playing. I even remember that somebody told me about a man who took a guitar in his hands in his 40s, and now he plays gigs and earns money from this...do not remember his name.

It's harder to learn as you get older, but, it can be done. I know a lady who started learning the piano in her 50's and she is very good now. I am in my 40s and I just started singing lessons. I can play guitar and some piano, but, my singing always sucked. So, I go once a week. I also see people my age at the same place learning guitar. It comes down to desire. If you want to learn and are prepared to practice, then go for it.

Most defintely!! About a year ago, I had a strong desire to learn to play the guitar. I bought an acoustics and electric guitar to play around with. Both are sitting on display now. For some things, it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks! Ed