I am now 31 years old. Listening to classical music (esp. violin pieces) have been my favourite hobby for quite a while and I have a longstanding interest in playing violin. However, I've never played any instruments myself before (apart from a few years of piano lesson; grade2, when I was younger.) Would you guys think it is too late for me to formally start learning violin at this age? How far could people normally go from here along the line? Anybody with similar experience?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hi Violin lover

I don't think it is too late to start learning an instrument at 31. I was older than that when I started piano. I also think you will be able to go up to grade 8/ diploma standard if that is what you want to do. I certainly intend to get my grade 8 on the piano and would love eventually to do a diploma eventhough that seems a long way off. Have a look at the Adult Learners forum and you will see that there are quite a few of us learning various instruments.

Start now. If you want to play the violin then nothing else will do. You might not find it as easy as you might have done had you started when you were 4 but who cares? Better late than never. Get yourself a good teacher and start work.
(I started the clarinet when I was 40 and although I dorealise that I might never get to be a concert clarinettist, I get enormous pleasure from playing for myself, every single day!)

You have advantages and disadvantages over the young learner: your muscles will need more training because years of use have got them locked into their habits, and your tendons and joints aren't as flexible, to but on the other hand you knowwhat sound you are trying to obtain and have knowledge of theory and musicality. I often think kids jack it in because their lessons are a form of torture with, for them, no discernible purpose, because they haven't developed an appreciation of music yet.

QUOTE (chateauferret @ Aug 1 2004, 11:55 AM)

You have advantages and disadvantages over the young learner: your muscles will need more training because years of use have got them locked into their habits, and your tendons and joints aren't as flexible,

What at 31? I'm 40 and I am probably fitter than many of the younger people on this forum, I swim a mile everyday. It's not always down to age.