Has anyone else discovered the awesomeness that is learning a musical instrument as an adult and from a position of sheer musical incompetence?
I hadn't played an instrument since the recorder - 15 years ago - and asking me to read music was like asking a Big Brother contestant to read Sanskrit. I've now started learning how to play the piano at the age of 24 and as an experience it's one I can't recommend highly enough. Get involved.
Originally posted by T1000I have taken up classical violin as an adult, although I had prior musical experience in the rock 'n roll genre. My violin teacher would argue that point. lol
Has anyone else discovered the awesomeness that is learning a musical instrument as an adult and from a position of sheer musical incompetence?
I hadn't played an instrument since the recorder - 15 years ago - and asking me to read music was like asking a Big Brother contestant to read Sanskrit. I've now started learning how to play the piano at the age of 24 and as an experience it's one I can't recommend highly enough. Get involved.
I agree T1000, it's a very stimulating adventure, especially when the hesitation and elementary mistakes gradually become confidence and pleasurable sounds. I think the hang up of most adults is, "Oh, I can't do that, I'm not musical." Hey, if you love music, you (yeah, you reading this) too can take up an instrument and have a lifetime of enjoyment. The two keys are 1) having FUN and 2) Dogged Perserverance!
I couldn't tell an F# from a Fermata not long ago, and now I'm playing concertos! 🙂
Do it!
I started to learn guitar when I was 15. My only regret is that I didn't learn at an earlier age. My Dad used to always leave a guitar in my room from when I was very young, in the hope that I would one day pick it up and start to learn. I only decided to start playing when I was 15 though when I was asked if I wanted to join a heavy metal band.
Originally posted by eagles54Too true.
I have taken up classical violin as an adult, although I had prior musical experience in the rock 'n roll genre. My violin teacher would argue that point. lol
I agree T1000, it's a very stimulating adventure, especially when the hesi ...[text shortened]... Fermata not long ago, and now I'm playing concertos! 🙂
Do it!
I think along with your very correct 1) and 2) there needs to be 3) painful lessons in humility!
Opened up the first piano book, tried playing the first few pieces and very quickly ran into a massive brick wall where my brain simply couldn't cope. Only then did I notice the child-like scrawl of my sister from over a decade ago in the front cover: Stephane, Age 8. 24 years old and at the level of an 8 year old. Not just any 8 year old either, but my sister. Painful!
I agree entirely.
I'm trying to get hold of my mum's piano. I'd have to sell my decks to fit one in my house, but I think it'd be worth it. As a child I had piano lessons, but as soon as I was given a choice I dropped them in favour of kicking about with my mates.
I currently assault the guitar from time to time, but there is a burning desire to go back and tame the Piano as I should have done when I was young - I'm not sure my neighbours will agree if/when I get one!!!
Good luck to all doing similar - Andy
Originally posted by rhbi'm atempting to get semi-decent at the guitar at the moment, and when i "master" that, i want to learn the violin (i want to be able to play celtic music-it sounds rather cool...). although by the time i "master" the guitar, i'll probubly be so old that i'll have arthritis and i'll also be deaf. so, drums are a good option...
I agree entirely.
I'm trying to get hold of my mum's piano. I'd have to sell my decks to fit one in my house, but I think it'd be worth it. As a child I had piano lessons, but as soon as I was given a choice I dropped them in favour of k ...[text shortened]... gree if/when I get one!!!
Good luck to all doing similar - Andy
what do you call someone who hangs around with musicians?
EDIT: also, learning another language would be nice. although noone in my family has ever been good at foreign languages. i had a nightmare once when i had to take french for an extra year at school. it was th second scariest nightmare i've ever had. beaten only by the time all i could see was black and white squares much like a chess board. but wherever i looked, that's all i could see! well, it's scary when your 4...
EDIT II: answer to question (above): a dummer!
I bought a harmonica a little while ago - but I can't get the hang of it. I need to practise more, but I don't like doing so with other people in the house - it's embarrassing.
I'm also teaching myself to play the didgeridoo - that's going a bit better. I had a days worth of instruction when I bought it, so I had a bit of a headstart on that.
Originally posted by jimmyb270You've been to Australia, perhaps? where did you buy your didj? that circular breathing thing sounds difficult to master...
I bought a harmonica a little while ago - but I can't get the hang of it. I need to practise more, but I don't like doing so with other people in the house - it's embarrassing.
I'm also teaching myself to play the didgeridoo - that's going a bit better. I had a days worth of instruction when I bought it, so I had a bit of a headstart on that.