Learning Music as an Adult: Tips and Tricks
Many adults want to learn a musical instrument for the first time, but are intimidated before they begin. They may be concerned that they will not learn at their age, or they may think they lack the time. But, it is possible! By taking a step-by-step approach and being patient with themselves, adult beginners can certainly learn a musical instrument. I will address some of the most common concerns that prospective adult learners have.
Is it too late for me to learn a musical instrument?
While children have an easier time picking up some concepts in music, adults can also make steady progress in this pursuit for a few reasons.
Adults are generally more focused. Adults have an advantage in this area. While children may be interested in music, many of them have not gained the ability to concentrate fully on a task yet. This can result in their practice sessions being less fruitful. However, adults (especially ones who are self-motivated) often get more out of their practice sessions having learned to be more efficient with their practice time. I have seen adults pick up and understand sight reading as quickly, or even more quickly, than younger learners, thanks to their systemic approach.
Adults have a greater love of music. Adults have had many more years to develop an appreciation for the music that they are learning. Children may have been encouraged to enter the exciting and beautiful world of music, but have not developed their love of music yet. This often results in a stronger commitment to the learning process and a greater appreciation of the skills they acquire.
Ownership. This one is a bit different, but still important. When you pick your own instrument, and use your own money to buy it, you have an even closer relationship with your craft. You weren’t forced to do it, you chose to. Frankly, you have more skin in the game. Your personal investment not only acts as a powerful motivator, but also discourages you from letting your instrument gather dust in a corner.
Adults do have some challenges to overcome that may be more relevant for them. Here are some solutions for those starting music later in life:
Responsibilities. Many adults interested in learning music often have jobs, kids, or education commitments to juggle. That said, it is possible to make progress with a busy schedule. Learning music may take less time than you think. When it comes to practice, many hours are not required. 10 to 20 minutes of focused practice will yield results. Your goal should be to have a session once a day, even if you can only do a couple of exercises. This will keep your skills sharp, and let you have incremental progress. If you can squeeze more time into your schedule on the weekends, great! Those who are retired can devote even more time to practice, and get even faster results. But, remember, in adult music education, the most important factor is consistency.
Age. Many adults feel that it is too late for them to start learning music. While a lot of the movements you will learn feel very foreign, you can grasp them! When learning music as an adult, it’s essential to be patient with yourself. An advantage many children have is that they may have more patience with themselves when they have a stumbling block. Understand that this is a very niche skill, and be compassionate with yourself during your journey. The renowned guitarist Wes Montgomery comes to mind. He began playing jazz guitar at the age of 19 (well past the age some people erroneously say is too late) and became one of the most influential jazz musicians of his day. Figure out what your goals are (playing at church, being able to play music with your kids, reaching a certain Suzuki book skill level) and focus on that. Work with your teacher to figure out what you need to do to get there.
Conclusion:
Learning music as an adult isn’t just a possibility; it can be a reality. Remember that adults enjoy a few advantages. Focus, passion, and personal investment can be very useful in pursuing musical education. And while juggling life commitments and learning can seem daunting, know that consistency and patience are key.
The rewards are great. They can include playing music with your kids, or a band, or your favorite records. It’s also a great way to participate in your community, like in a church setting. If you have been waiting to take the plunge, feel free to reach out for a consultation at vybratomusic@gmail.com.
