Any other adult learners out there?

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I had studied long ago the guitar, the trombone, and the highland bagpipes. But when I rented an apartment last year that happened to have a piano in it, I took advantage of the situation, hired a teacher, and had my first piano lesson at the age of 42.

I have continued since then. In fact, although it began as a casual diversion more than anything, I have become quite serious about it, often practicing several hours a day. I am having a lot of fun with it.

One thing rather surprised me. Compared to the instruments I had studied previously, the piano has turned out to be far and away the easiest, at least at the early stages. The reason for this is that I don't have to create the note; I just have to pick it. The trombone used to drive me crazy, because it is so hard just to get a good steady tone out of it. Also, on the trombone each position gives you 4 or 5 different notes, so you need to do some very athletic things with your lips and your breathing, as well as have an excellent ear for pitch, which I don't.

Compared to such torture, playing the piano is like typing: the note sits there in front of me, and I just have to press it. (I'm oversimplifying, but you get the idea.) The other thing that helps is that I don't have to assemble the piano or tune it. I just flip the lid in the morning and it's ready to go. (I work at home, which facilitates practice.)

Are there any other adult learners of instruments on this board? I'd be glad to hear about your experiences. 

[orbital]

Are there any other adult learners of instruments on this board? I'd be glad to hear about your experiences. 

Here 

I started learning piano as an adult, coinciding with the beginning of my interest in classical music. I did not take any lessons though, which was a big mistake as I have probably gained enough bad habits for a teacher to give up on me if I decide to take lessons in the future  I have recently moved and thus did not touch the piano for the last few months  I will continue very soon though, hopefully.

The only other instrument that I've played in the past was drums in the high school band, so piano did not come easy to me at all 

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I started learning piano as an adult, coinciding with the beginning of my interest in classical music. I did not take any lessons though, which was a big mistake as I have probably gained enough bad habits for a teacher to give up on me if I decide to take lessons in the future 

I meet with my teacher sporadically. If a lot of time has passed since the previous lesson, I've usually picked up a bad habit or two, usually related to fingering. So we have to straighten that out.

I doubt that any worthwhile teacher would give up on you just because of that. As long as you pay them 

[haydnguy]

I'm getting ready to take up learning the piano. I took lessons as a child and although I didn't get very far ( A couple of books in the John Thompson series), I'm much more motivated now than I was then and look forward to it very much.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Just enjoy it, BaxMan! That's what I've been doing. A relaxed (non-neurotic) attitude goes a long way, esp. when you realize you're too old and untalented for anyone to want to hear you play 

[haydnguy]

Thanks, Spitvalve! It's going to be fun. 

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Thanks, Spitvalve! It's going to be fun. 

Let us know how it goes...I'm always interested in reports from the field 

As for me, I just got done practicing Bach's Two-Part Invention #8 (F major), having recently mastered #1 (C major).

[Wanderer]

As I was scanning the result page for new topics/posts, a quick glance at the thread title read "Any other adulterers out there?". Thankfully, I wasn't drinking anything at the time.

[haydnguy]

Let us know how it goes...I'm always interested in reports from the field 

Will do!! 

[secondwind]

Okay, yes, there's at least one more adult learner out here.  Having played clarinet as a kid (up through 17 or so),  I foolishly stopped for a couple of decades, then picked the instrument up again in my late 30s and have been trying to relearn it ever since.  I'm now 54, and although I realize that I'll never have some of the advantages I had at 17 (quick fingers, quicker eyes, a certain level of fearlessness born of ignorance), I am trying to make whatever progress I can.  I play for my own pleasure, and I'd have to admit that playing music is the single most selfish thing I do.  The truth is, I'd rather play something badly myself than listen to the world's greatest recording of the same piece.  When I do listen to the recording, I'm just getting clear in my mind what I need to aim for the next time I get to play it.  Listening to the recording is like standing outside in the cold looking in through a window at a really great party, wishing I'd been invited.  I guess I'd rather be at the beer and potato chips party, having a good time, than looking in at the champagne and caviar party.  Of course, best of all would be to be at the A-list party. . .   If I thought I could find another couple of hours in the day, I'd be taking piano lessons, too.  Maybe after I retire. 

[greg]

I don't think there's an instrument I wouldn't like to learn how to play. I even got a violin a few months ago, but the poor thing is just sitting there, with a broken E string. That's okay- it get what it deserves for being nearly impossible to play without breaking a string. 

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I guess I'd rather be at the beer and potato chips party, having a good time, than looking in at the champagne and caviar party.  

Even at a "beer and potato chips" level, being able to experience the music from the inside enhances one's understanding of it. All this piano study has made it much easier for me to follow scores, and to understand the structure of music. This makes it worthwhile even if I'm the only person who wants to hear me play.

[karlhenning]

Excellent, excellent.

[sul G]

Even at a "beer and potato chips" level, being able to experience the music from the inside enhances one's understanding of it. All this piano study has made it much easier for me to follow scores, and to understand the structure of music. This makes it worthwhile even if I'm the only person who wants to hear me play.

This post is absolutely on the money. 

[secondwind]

Even at a "beer and potato chips" level, being able to experience the music from the inside enhances one's understanding of it. All this piano study has made it much easier for me to follow scores, and to understand the structure of music. This makes it worthwhile even if I'm the only person who wants to hear me play.

Yes, that is part of what I was trying to say.  After studying a piece to play it, and rehearsing it with others, and thrashing through the difficult parts for awhile, I have an understanding of a piece that just isn't possible for me otherwise.  I realize that there really are people who can achieve that kind of understanding by a study of the score alone, but I'm not one of them.  For me, playing the music puts me inside it, makes me part of it, or it part of me, in a way that nothing else does.  So even playing it badly (my apologies to Beethoven, Mozart, and countless other great composers I've roughed up) for me is better than just having the more passive and detached experience of listening to others perform it. Kind of like the difference between visiting Prague on a miserable, cold day with sleet falling constantly vs. watching a travelogue of someone else in Prague on a beautiful summer day.  Prague on a bad day is still the most beautiful city in the world, and I'd rather actually be there myself, sleet and all.  And then, if I manage to get back in better weather, I'll already know my way around. 

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

This article resonated with me: on the joys of piano-playing, by David Dubal:

http://www.newcriterion.com/articles.cfm/Let-s-tickle-the-ivories-7274