Am I too old to start learning a new instrument?

lutzi1

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.

Another point: you mentioned that you played the guitar. Doing so toughens your fingers and makes your finger-tips lose sensitivity, which would reduce your ability to play the violin to a high standard.

These remarks apply equally to other string instruments (viola, 'cello, double bass). However, there is absolutely no reason why someone with sufficient talent could not start learning another instrument as an adult and achieve the very highest standards. The brass and woodwind instruments would be suitable for this, and I'm sure that there are others.

I disagree with this post, I've played guitar in my time, you are only in your early 20s and I am guessing you are not aspiring to be the next Paganini, just a reasonably competent musician.

I am just over my half century (look 10 years younger , lol) and over the last 12 years or so I have developed my school time musical talents to entire new heights. I've developed my own singing to where I regularly get other adults in tears, I've had my own quartet and arranged all sorts of music for us, I've taught myself some of the wonderful oppotunities that computer technology affords us so I can edit and create my own backing tracks and now I am starting to make my own films to go with my music. Music has been an enormous source of strength , joy and inspiration to me over several difficult years, and I cannot recommend strongly enough that if you have any inklings whatsoever that you might like to get musical that you just get on with it. If you live near me, I'll teach you to read music myself.

PS My quartet has now folded, if there are any sexy tenors and basses out there in the Yorkshire region, my friend Jules and I would love to hear from you. We are v competent singers, we have a catalogue of quality original classical and contemporary arrangements amd we have a v good of humour - we like our music to be serious but fun. PM me if interested for further details.

labp04

Hi cwc100dunno if you've seen my earlier post about my starting to learn violin - and giving you a good few years too! Anyways, given all the advice, guidance etc you got from your post, I am wondering what you have done/decided to do about learning to play the violin? As I posted earlier, my first lesson is next week and I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas! :j

Heisenberg_2

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.

I have looked at private tuition, but I'm wondering if there are other avenues such as group tuition or music groups run by local communities which are willing to take on an adult student. And as a beginner would I need the full hour tuition?

Sorry - you are definitely way too old! Just don't bother. Beethoven was just over a month old before he started composing symphonies. By the time he was 2 he had composed over 13 masterpieces.

He also could play every instrument. He was also blind, deaf and dumb and mute.

You don't have a chance, sorry.

Try "pants on, pants off" - you could be a world champion.

HTH

full-time-mum

For goodness sake, you are only in your 20s. Give it a go otherwise you will always wonder.
We have a music school in our county. It is mainly aimed at children but there are a (increasing) number of adult learners - a lot, lot older than you - who are welcomed with open arms. See if there is anything in your area - if nothing else, you can get some advice.
Maybe you can get a cheap 2nd hand instrument or maybe even one off freecycle - you never know unless you look.

GO FOR IT

Heisenberg_2

full-time-mum wrote: »

For goodness sake, you are only in your 20s. Give it a go otherwise you will always wonder.
We have a music school in our county. It is mainly aimed at children but there are a (increasing) number of adult learners - a lot, lot older than you - who are welcomed with open arms. See if there is anything in your area - if nothing else, you can get some advice.
Maybe you can get a cheap 2nd hand instrument or maybe even one off freecycle - you never know unless you look.

GO FOR IT

Just don't bother. Beethoven had you beat before he was 6 months old. Why waste your time, you know you're gonna be mine.

bekkabex

My mum only took up playing the saxophone at the age of sixty, and gets a lot of enjoyment out of it.

You say you worry that you'll have "wasted" a lot of money... I say it depends on what you think you're buying. You can't buy the ability to play an instrument (well) anyway, you can only give yourself the opportunity to try. If you enjoy the process of learning your money won't be wasted even if you ultimately don't ever learn to play terribly well.

I think being able to play an instrument really well depends on a) natural talent b) practice c) the right tuition. Can't do much about the first one at any age, but if you're willing to do plenty of the second and can get yourself access to the third, I don't really see what age has to do with it. Go for it!

labp04

Hi cwc100 just wondering if you made up your mind yet about learning violin? Had my first lesson today which felt great and this was probably helped by my being able to take my own violin outfit which arrived in the nick of time and cost me the princely sum of £30 (no need for any wise cracks, puns or sarky comments from anyone else thank you) - and that price was delivered from a (respected) dealer and violin teacher. Yup, I can feel my arm but I am giving you about 40 years! :beer:

kingdavid2012

Gone throug your post,I think you should make a justment of your attitude.Fist,as far as i see it,it's a little too LATE to learn violin at your age.Then you kind of lack the talent it requires.Do i sound a little rude?(Excuse me)
But you should insist on learning it.It will do you good.Beyond doubt,it can try your patience.Then you can improve your guitar-playing skills and get inspiration from it.You just hang on.
Wish you luck!

prowla

Nah - at 20 you are past it and it's all over; you will never be able to learn anything again for the rest of your life!

SailorSam

I'm never played any type of musical instrument but often wished i could, now at 59 i bought myself a Ukulele. Up to now i've only tried to learn by watching YouTube vids, i've not practised as much as i should other jobs around the house and garden always seem more important. But last week i sent away for 'Ukuleles for Dummies' which has excellent reviews and i'm determined to find a bit of time each day.