Am I too old to start learning a new instrument?

linda2011

I always say you are never too old to learn a skill

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

temba wrote: »

...Voyager2002 rightly said though, you are unlikely to ever get to a really advanced standard because you didn't start when you were little. The reason for this is that playing the violin is actually quite a physical thing. Just try standing with your left arm raised for 45 minutes (an average symphony) and you'll see how tiring it is! However, this really shouldn't put you off.!

That's a bit harsh. I started playing just over a year ago and I'm already making money. Admittedly, that's bass, but it is somewhat heavier than a violin, the strings need quite a bit of finger strength to depress or strike them and the left arm is permanently out and working. I can pretty much play live for 90 minutes non stop, but I am sure that will improve by the time I've been playing for 18 months.

temba

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

That's a bit harsh. I started playing just over a year ago and I'm already making money. Admittedly, that's bass, but it is somewhat heavier than a violin, the strings need quite a bit of finger strength to depress or strike them and the left arm is permanently out and working. I can pretty much play live for 90 minutes non stop, but I am sure that will improve by the time I've been playing for 18 months.

Bravo! Sorry I didn't mean to sound harsh - just that you are unlikely to ever be a competition-winning violinist unless you start young. Yes you are right though - stamina can be achieved with practise.

I_luv_cats

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

You are NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER too old for music!!

Go for it.

unless your their next door neighbour !!!!!!!!!!!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I_luv_cats wrote: »

unless your their next door neighbour !!!!!!!!!!!

I'll just smile and adopt the position of moral superiority, here, as I have a volume control and headphone socket for practice when the neighbour is at home.


I did live in a block of flats where there was a small child taking violin lessons once. Poor lass, her mother got a letter from the landlord threatening eviction as five of the neighbours had complained.

It can be a little - piercing - the sound

ada1988

There is an old saying,never too old to learn.while you are alive you are young to learn.
and the age of you is really not old.you still have Flexibility of the brain, hands and feet to facilitate.
so never say too old to learn.

jobbingmusician

Voyager2002 wrote: »

I agree with all the encouragement, and I don't think you should worry about learning how to read music. Once you start using sheet music it all seems very natural.

However: someone who starts learning the violin at a relatively advanced age is unlikely to reach the most advanced stages. This is because an enormous number of different little muscles are involved things like controlling the bow so that you make exactly the sound that you want to make, and the other ways in which a really advanced violinist expresses their feelings about the music they are playing. Training these little muscles is something that usually has to be done in childhood.

I totally disagree. I trained as a woodwind player, and was a professional for a while. While I was at music college I started the viola (a LOT heavier than a violin!). It actually didn't go that well (some music professors aren't that great with beginners) and I put the thing back into its case until I was 30. I then started again, and now play semi-professionally.

I also read, in the Strad (a professional magazine) of an internationally acclaimed soloist (that means more accomplished than a professional orchestral musician ) who lost his left hand. He learnt to play the violin 'the wrong way round'* and appeared as a concerto soloist after 18 months intensive study. Whilst this is a freak result, it proves that muscles CAN be developed as an adult!

In my experience, most adult beginners set their expectations too low. There is no reason why an adult beginner shouldn't get just as good as a child - but you do need a lot of patience, as the sound at the beginning is horrible. You have some ADVANTAGES as you have a clearer idea of what you are aiming for.

*Just a note. It doesn't matter whether you are left or right handed, bowed string instruments are fingered with the left hand and bowed with the right. If you need to change this arrangement because of physical limitations, the instrument has to be totally re-set up by a professional repairer - you can't just change the strings around.

googler

If the OP has issues with annoyed neighbours, bear in mind that electric violins are always an option.....

toffifee

I started the violin when I was 24 and got to about grade 6 standard before I more-or-less stopped when my first child was born six years later.

Hiring an instrument might be a good option to begin with. My two children are both learning to play now and we hired Stentors for them in case they didn't like learning. IIRC it was about £5 per month for a 1/4 size. My son is now doing his grade 4 on a Stenor Student II. I think it cost about £110 and makes a very nice sound.

Treed

cwc100 wrote: »

I'm in my mid 20's and for the best part of my life I have wanted to learn to play violin. I am wondering whether at my age whether it will be too steep a learning curve to start learning now. I have no knowledge on sheet music. With tuition I have learned to play the guitar with tab music which I imagine is totally different, but I did find this difficult.

At the end of the day it does cost money to start learning a new instrument but I'm worried that I will get despondent if I find that Im struggling with the sheet music etc and thus will have wasted a lot of money.

Your only as old as you feel!
If you think you can do it, go for it! If you try and dont succeed, atleast you will no longer be wondering if you should or not, as you have for the best part of your life.
Everythings difficult at the beggining as its different and new, just stick with it and it will get easier.
Good Luck!