I was wondering what experience anyone has at teaching of being a really middle aged beginner. I am mid 40's, housewife with no previous experience. I have a very good 12 yr piano playing son ( gde 7). I've sat through 100's of lessons and now have the urge to try myself? Would I cope? Would my fingers be supple enough? How would I go about finding a teacher who sees adults? Am I just a dreamer!!
Thoughts please.

What's stopping you ?

Some of my beginners are quite a few years older than you.

Make sure your potential teacher is supportive of adults and older beginners - and that you are on the same wavelength. Do you have a local music shop? They might have lists of teachers. Could you ask your son's teacher if he/she could recommend someone?

If you don't give it a go you will always wonder. Make it happen.

Keep us posted - and good luck.

Go for it - I'm in my 60's and took my first lesson about 4 1/2 years ago - it's something I've always wanted to do and I'm really enjoying the whole experience.

I've been learning Chopin's easy Waltz in a Minor - it ain't easy and have begun Beethoven's Fur Elise- I can't believe that I'm learning to play these pieces, never in a million years did it occur to me that I would be doing anything close to this.


Follow Maggiemay's excellent advice - you and your son will have a great time learning together.

The only time it's too late to learn is when you're dead.

Until then, go for it. Why say "I wish I had......." when instead you can say "I'm glad I did......"?


Cheers

Katyjay

(not in her 40s yet, but not far off... )

I started 4 years ago at age 51 and have just passed my first exam, grade 4, with distinction (and I have lupus, so have stiffness in my fingers at times), so you should have every reason to do well...I'm also going to start learning organ next year... nothing ventured etc

There's another topic on Viva Piano forum called 'Too Late To Start?' which is similar to this one - sorry I don't know how to make a fancy link, but the answers in that thread all say the same thing - it's never too late, and you're never too old.

I'm 46 and started Flute and piano this year. I'm loving every minute of it!

Definately go for it!

Maggiemay puts it beautifully. Have fun.

I started piano four years ago, as a complete beginner, and it has been a great joy. I have a very busy family and work life and so I have not been able to devote as much time to the piano as I would like, but I just really enjoy the time I can spare, and I'd like to think that when my kids are older I'll be able to spend more time on it. Think about what kind of teacher you would like, maybe see if you can have a trial lesson with more than one. I was quite nervous, but felt very comfortable with my choice of an experienced, mature woman teacher, who had taught many adults. Sadly she has retired this week, but I go to meet my new (also experienced, mature lady!) teacher on Friday. I did theory too (did grade 5 a few weeks ago) and found it surprisingly enjoyable. I did the prep test, and grades 1 to 3 on piano, as my teacher suggested it as something to work towards, and I'm glad I did. But yesterday I made the most awful hash of grade 4, and I think that's enough exam stress for me, so no more!

Go for it, and enjoy!

Repeat after me, "It's never too late, it's never too late, it's never too late, it's never too late, it's never too late, it's never too late!"

I'm 34 and started learning to play the piano just over a year ago..I have yet to take and Grade but am looking forward to it....

Not having any children yet I have a lot of free time on my hands..but I know when I do have them things will change...

I too hope to be able to be experienced enough that it is something I can learn with my children and something I can go back to when they are grown up..

Due to this I also believed that I have left learning too late as I know my life will get in the way and by the time I get good enough to really play I will be too old and it will have been a waste..also will I have the staying power that is needed to put in the years...but I think no, no matter your age as long as you enjoy doing something then it is never too late...

Try it and see. If you don't like it - at least you'll know! I started 3 years ago and am now grade 4 and my piano and theory lessons are the highlight of my week! The difficulty of learning the piano as an adult is simply finding the time and energy to practise, and the music you learn, even from books geared towards adults is just dreadful and uninspiring. However, the music at higher grades is much more interesting and it's wonderful to see a whole new world of music opening up in front of me. The other difficulty is self discipline - nobody's going to be standing behind you with a big stick! But once you get into it and start finding it a pleasure you'll be fighting with you son over whose turn it is to practice.

I was an adult starter myself, and took 6 years to pass all the grade exams. I have been teaching for more years than I care to remember, and have always encouraged adult learners. About half my practice consists of adults and we have a whale of a time. Do it and enjoy it.

I hope some of the piano teachers (or other learners) are going to pick up on that and suggest interesting and inspiring music for elementary players! If they don't perhaps you could start a thread on Viva piano. I play piano but don't teach it, so I'm completely out of touch with what's available.

Go for it! Find some music you like - and in some ways, I think if you want to do it, you're going to have loads more motivation than some younger pupils.

From reading what you and others have said, there's going to be no stopping you (my prediction - "Mystic Mark")!

I'm in my 40s as well and have been teaching myself the clarinet for a few weeks. My first proper lesson is on Monday - can't wait!. Like a lot of adult beginners, I found my teacher through my local music shop, a good place to start looking. Alternatively there are lists of teachers on the net which you can find through Google. Most teachers are prepared to teach students of all ages, abilities and levels of experience.

It really is never too late to start. Although I began learning clarinet when I was at school it's been nearly a quarter of a century since my last lesson so I'd class myself as an absolute beginner! I've also been learning the flute for the last couple of years. I'd recommend everyone to take up an instrument. Learning to play is the most fantastic experience and you won't regret it once you take the plunge.

Go for it and good luck!

Yes - I was wondering whether to jump in and ask what kind of music you would LIKE to play - ( something I always ask my students.)

If you can give us an idea (classical - Mozart-ish? more Romantic, maybe? jazzy and fun perhaps?), or maybe mention one or two things that you have liked along the way, I'm sure some of us might offer suggestions.

I spent half an hour in Chappells this afternoon - too short, but it hadn't been the primary agenda of the trip up to town. Would love to have browsed longer - but I did finally pick up a copy of Spectrum 2, and I managed to get the Hook Sonatinas that have been eluding me for some months.

ps - oh, and a couple of those jazzy books by Martha Mier that others have recommended.

Ahhh Chappells.... the mecca for all musicians....

I always end up leaving with my arms a lot heavier and my wallet a lot lighter!!

Seriously, though, I have just started an adult pupil with no musical experience whatsoever (not even recorder at school). I'm relishing the challenge of teaching him from scratch and hope it will give him a sense of enjoyment and will look forward to coming to lessons!

So you are not alone- and with observing so many lessons you have a big head start. You might be surprised as to how much you have already picked up!

Try a local newpaper for teachers, that's how my pupils seem to find me!

Best of luck!
JW

My mother, who is now in her seventies and widowed the past six years, has always 'tinkered'with the piano, never having had lessons, but took inspiration from my two chidren who learnt by the Suzuki method. She would never want to perform for anyone but gets great pleasure from still tinkering and playing duets with me when I go up home. It keeps her mind occupied, her concentration developed and is good for her hands. She is delighted that she plays, even though she is far from being a concert pianist. There is loads of music out there for players who just enjoy 'tinkering' - no-one should ever think it is too late to get pleasure from starting to play an instrument.

Alina,

Give your mother a hug for me - good for her!!! and you are so right, you said it best.

Awwww!! don't I just know it when I've been to Chappell's

Bank balance 0 = music shelves and cases groaning under an ever-increasing strain.

I ran out of room to store it a long time ago, but that hasn't stopped me from continuously adding to the collection

I agree about it never being too late to take up an instrument, although I've had a couple of 70 to 80 year olds and they did find it hard going, co-ordination and memory problems!

I've just turned 40 and recently started teaching myself the Violin and I would say I'm at about Grade 3 level at the moment. If you want to do something, just go for it and don't be put off by appearing foolish to everyone else. I know a 41 year old man who keeps saying to me that he's always wanted to play the saxophone and yet whenever I see him, even though I've always encouraged him to take lessons, he still hasn't taken it up. He must have been telling me this for years now. Maybe he feels that he won't be good enough or something or other people will laugh at him, I don't know?
Good luck and well done to all those middle age beginners taking up an instrument for the first time. You won't regret it I'm sure!

Gae

fair point.

So do some of my 6 and 7 year olds!