My daughter, aged 17, told me recently that she would like to start learning the piano. She's very enthusiastic, but she's worried that she's left it too late to start. And encouraging comments that I can pass on from others would help her terrifically, and spur her on, I'm sure. She has a good teacher (male) and is keen to progress quickly. (I'm trying to stop her from saying things like "Oh I'm so bad" etc !! (I do reassure her that she isn't!)

There are people on the Adult Learners board who started later than that and are doing well.

Too late at seventeen? Heaven help us Adult Learners then!

I was more than twice that when I started singing lessons (and have reached diploma standard, teach a little and sometimes get paid to perfom). Or re-started piano lessons pretty much from square one after a quarter-century gap. Or violin or recorder lessons.

If she wants to play the piano, then she should go for it.

Cheers

Katyjay

I was approached at a party tonight by a retired lady who wants to start lessons - never had any in her life before either.......so it's never too late!!!

Oh my dear lord, yes put anyone aged over 10 on the scrapheap, heaven forbid you should want to learn an instrument at the elderly age of 17!! dear me

I've just taken on a 67 year old - in fact I have two 67 year olds!

17....? No problemo!! My oldest pupil is 71 and taking gr 2 piano in Feb. Tell your daughter to go for it...it's never to late to learn.

I think 17 is a great age to start learning. I generally find teenagers can learn very quickly, but are often over critical of themselves, so you are right to encourage a positive attitude. It's important to empasise enjoyment & patience if she hits a difficult patch. Good luck to your daughter!

Wonderful! Thank you so much for all helpful and encouraging comments! She really appreciated them - as do I!

The average age of most of my mum's pupils is about 65!

Teknikus, encourage your daughter to come to these forums, and to sneak a look at the Adult Learners board (we'll let her even though she isn't old enough ) She'll see then that she's got TONS of time ahead of her to do all the music she wants.

Cheers

Katyjay

I'm 17! If she wants anyone to talk to about learning instruments, she can PM me.

Thanks, Katyjay! I have told her about it and she's v. pleased!




Thank you, Rainbow: I'll tell her.

Teknikus

I have a student aged well over 60 who started with me nearly two years ago, having no musical knowledge at all. She's now around grade 1 standard and today played at my student concert. I felt really proud of her - only two of my adult students were brave enough to do this, though all but one of the children did.

My mother took up the oboe in her 60s and the violin in her 70s so it is never too late to learn!