Adults everywhere are discovering that learning a musical instrument is fun, rewarding, and often deeply relaxing. Whether picking up an instrument played in high school or starting something totally new, music is for everyone. It feeds the brain, the heart and the soul. Here’s my story!
At age 65, I had a crazy idea – why not learn to play the viola? Hopelessly uncoordinated, I gave up the violin after three frustrating months in elementary school, but I loved to sing and conducting choirs became my passion and career. Unfortunately, that came to an end after a serious accident left my hearing impaired and my brain a bit scrambled. Though I had to give up conducting choirs, I loved music and missed hearing and making it.
So, at 65 I borrowed a viola (less scratchy than a violin, I thought) and started lessons. This shouldn’t be too hard, right? I was a “professional musician” in a music school. Ha! It was hard – just as hard for me to learn a string instrument as for anybody else. I kept thinking, “I’m a musician, why is this so hard?” and “It sounds awful!” But it was fun so I stuck with it, and I’ve learned a lot in the last nine years. Progress may be slower for me than for my 11-year-old granddaughter, but I’m playing for my own enjoyment and learning – not to become a serious performer.
If you have thought about playing an instrument, the new year is a great time to start. If your child is a musician, you can play duets – “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” makes a nice round. Jingle Bells is fun and easy, too. Shinichi Suzuki said, “Every child can!” Guess what? Every adult can, too!