playing music as an adult

United States
June 8, 2012 3:42am CST
I've been playing music since I was 11, and I always sort of thought I'd grow up and join an orchestra, or go to college and get some sort of degree in music. Obviously, neither of those things happened. I ended up playing a few instruments, but I quit band at 15, and I've slowly but surely stopped playing as I got older... I miss it a lot, and I still play my flute, even if nothing else, and sometimes...I really want to go join a community band and play for fun, but I wonder if it would be a pointless hobby? because my ability to play is slowly but surely going away, and I just don't know if I could do it. What do you think? Did you used to play a lot more than you do now? Have you recently picked music back up after not playing for a long while?
2 people like this
7 responses
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
8 Jun 12
Hello ChandraNalaar To let you know how much of a muscian I am not, when I started to read this Discussion, I related it to playing the radio! I have always dreamed of playing a musical instrument, but lack the talent and discipline for it. As much as I may want to do it, I never gave it a priority. I still think about learning an instrument, but alas, refuse to make it a priority. However, I do still enjoy listening to different types of music. I encourage you to continue nurturing your music playing abilities.
• United States
10 Jun 12
Learning an instrument is definitely something you need to commit to if you don't have any prior training...for me, I bought a cheap violin last year and the strings broke, but the violin is so cheap nobody would replace them for me. I regret not being able to learn, but I don't feel too badly about it? But around the same time I also bought an electric keyboard which I've played off and on, and I definitely think that was a better purchase. What I'm saying is if you want to learn, buy good, not cheap, and make sure you have enough time to devote to learning. :) or take lessons for fun!
• United States
10 Jun 12
Thanks for the advice. I've learned that it is usually best to buy well made rather than cheap on almost anything, but I could see how I would really be tempted to buy cheap for a musical instrument. It sounds like you're having a lot of fun!
• Guangzhou, China
10 Jun 12
If you intend to earn money by music, you will play hard, I believe. See those who are singing in streets cornors, are you amazed by the melody? They really play hard.But if you just take it as a hobby, you can forget it anytime. When need, they can be picken up again, of course. I couldn't sing well before and seldom played musical instruments because I didn't realize the sense for me. I didn't need it.But now I enjoy singing very much especially those light English songs to release pressure. I like playing piano as my fingers are long. I also try some flute playing because I like the voice. The similiar thing happening to yours is that I used to drawing devotedly and my works were admired by everyone at that time. But after Junior school I quit because of loss of interest and lack of time. Now, even if I want to draw again, I have no passion and can't draw well. So the truth is that if you need something, you will keep on doing it. You haven't played those instruments so long and just improve slowly as it's just your hobby, not a must.
• United States
10 Jun 12
Ah, in that case...that actually makes me want to play more. Because while it's just a hobby it's still important to my mind and peace I think, and I don't want to lose my skills. Even if I don't have any time for it, I need to make at least a little time to keep fresh and still have time for the rest of my life.
@adforme (2114)
9 Jun 12
Playing music is something you can do whenever you like. I took piano lessons as a child, and lacked confidence, and didn't do it very long. Now that I am an adult I want to get a piano. I want to play it like I never had before. I would like to relearn the basics, make complicated compositions, and maybe be even make a CD. Doing this is not practical right now, but, while I'm alive, this will be a dream of mind. Keep on having your dreams, and work toward making them reality. Your hobby is not pointless. It is a way of enjoying yourself and discovering your talent.
• United States
10 Jun 12
That sounds like a wonderful dream! My musical dream has always been to join a symphony for either a movie or a video game. I don't know how realistic this is, but it's certainly easier to accomplish than trying to join an orchestra full-time for salary pay haha. We have a piano upstairs but it's out of tune...Last Christmas I bought a keyboard in the hopes that the fact that it is perfectly in tune would help me play, but even though I enjoy my keyboard very much, I still definitely play a lot more on the piano.
@Mashnn (4501)
8 Jun 12
I have never been so much interested in playing musical instruments so I do not have any past story to share. I just wanted to encourage you not to give up in what you like. It does matter how old you, you can still go back and be as good as you were when you were younger. Just do not give up your dream.
• United States
8 Jun 12
thank you, that's very encouraging. :)
1 person likes this
• Philippines
9 Jun 12
We are created by our Creator in His image - which includes being musically inclined because He's the author of music. I was motivated to be involved in music playing some instruments but didn't find where the best area is. It's until I come to know about our Church's choir. I joined the choir and sometimes I'm the one playing the guitar. I admire you for being interested in music. I just hope and pray that you'll find a place to perform what you love through music. If I may suggest, it may be good to find a church where they have a music ministry. You are such a talent where you can play music for God's glory which is rewarded in heaven. Good day.
• United States
10 Jun 12
I would consider singing in a church choir actually, if I trusted my own voice... I know my boyfriend and grandmother would love to have me in church! haha. But I don't believe my voice is nice enough for music such as that, and I don't have any training either...so if I did sing with a choir they'd have to train me, which I don't know, is that worth it? it seems like there are many, many people who would love to sing for a church who are far better than I.
@aribdee (133)
• United States
8 Jun 12
It's been almost a year since the last time I hold a guitar. When I was in my secondary education I was recruited in a band and became as their base guitarist. It happened to me twice so I have an overall total of 2 bands when I was in HS. In my 1st year in college I became as the lead guitarist of another band and performed in school activities but it reach to the point that I became very busy with my studies and find out that I have no more time to play. I want to play sometime soon. :)
• United States
10 Jun 12
Ah, wow, that's quite impressive! I always wanted to play bass guitar, because I always played the bass-line in school band, and because it has a better sound and less strings than a regular guitar, but I Am very bad at the guitar in general...I can't seem to learn chords at all. :(
@drimerz (79)
12 Aug 12
music is my passion,, i've been playing guitar since 12, i practiced everyday, i have a dream that someday i'll be a rockstar,, but until now it doesn't happen,, but for me its okay, because I love it, im join a band have fun together,, play in some gigs,, for me thats not wasting my time, it makes my time more precious, and my dream will never die,,:)