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Learning an instrument later in life

Posted on 5/24/26 at 12:53 pm
Posted by RoyalAir
Detroit
Member since Dec 2012
7771 posts
Posted on 5/24/26 at 12:53 pm
Call it a midlife crisis, or whatever. I've always wanted to play drums, but never had the money, time, or space. Well, I finally have a little of all three, and am strongly considering an impulse buy of an electronic drumset.

I'll assuredly never do anything outside of my home. But I'm itchy to give this a shot, and pick up a new hobby.

Any of you baws picked up an instrument later in life? If so, what, and how did you take to it?

Posted by Enadious
formerly B5Lurker City of Central
Member since Aug 2004
18716 posts
Posted on 5/24/26 at 1:26 pm to
I picked up the guitar again after a 30-year hiatus when I retired. I suck at guitar. After a year of playing, I suck less.
Posted by deeprig9
Unincorporated Ozora
Member since Sep 2012
76084 posts
Posted on 5/24/26 at 10:36 pm to
quote:


I picked up the guitar again after a 30-year hiatus when I retired. I suck at guitar. After a year of playing, I suck less.


Same, but only a 10 year hiatus. I finally got my callouses back though.

OP should do it. If not now, then never. If hardship strikes, sell it.
Posted by geauxbrown
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2006
27966 posts
Posted on 5/25/26 at 10:33 am to
Of course picking anything up later in life that requires hand/eye coordination is more difficult than doing so when young.

The way this was explained to me.......when our middle son was 12 he contracted Toxoplasmosis, which ate the macula of his right eye, therefore rendering him legally blind. Of course we were devastated, but one of the specialist shared with us that because of his age, his brain would retrain itself to compensate for the loss of sight in that particular eye.

Today he's 25 and doesn't exhibit any signs of seeing difficulty.

That said, I've found that the instrument will give you back what you invest in it, regardless of age. The more you practice, the better you will become.
Posted by Uatu
The Dark Side of the Moon
Member since May 2022
682 posts
Posted on 5/26/26 at 1:50 pm to
I picked up my bass guitar at age 65. Still a rank beginner but enjoy having “Eureka” moments when I realize how to actually play something! And yes, practice is ESSENTIAL. I can spend an hour just playing root notes and think nothing of it!
Posted by Mizz-SEC
Inbred Huntin' In The SEC
Member since Jun 2013
23221 posts
Posted on 5/26/26 at 1:59 pm to
quote:

I'll assuredly never do anything outside of my home.

Don't sell yourself short.

If you have a good sense of time there's always room for a drummer / percussionist.
Posted by deeprig9
Unincorporated Ozora
Member since Sep 2012
76084 posts
Posted on 5/26/26 at 2:11 pm to
quote:

If you have a good sense of time there's always room for a drummer


Facts. There are many mediocre drummers in really great bands because drummers are harder to find than guitar and bass players.

Pre-requisites:

1: Do you have a drum set and can we play at your house

2: Can you keep time

3: Do you have a flexible schedule


If yes to all 3, you're hired.
This post was edited on 5/26/26 at 2:13 pm
Posted by RoyalAir
Detroit
Member since Dec 2012
7771 posts
Posted on 5/26/26 at 3:05 pm to
quote:

If you have a good sense of time there's always room for a drummer / percussionist.


This is part of why I want to give this a go. I've always had a great sense of time, and can identify beat well.

Who knows. But I'll provide an update in a year's time.
Posted by olddawg26
Member since Jan 2013
26869 posts
Posted on 5/26/26 at 4:14 pm to
It is never ever too late. I remember this older guy coming to the open mic nights and slowly getting better and better he had never played before. After a few months he would open with some older songs we had never heard and it was the highlight of the night. Strum on

Edit bang on
This post was edited on 5/26/26 at 4:16 pm
Posted by razor55red
Member since Sep 2017
501 posts
Posted on 5/27/26 at 11:59 am to
Do it. Good for the mind, good for the soul, good for coordination. And fun.
Posted by Decatur
Member since Mar 2007
33046 posts
Posted on 5/27/26 at 7:22 pm to
Drums are the funnest instrument. Also the the most grueling.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
87961 posts
Posted on 5/29/26 at 9:08 am to
quote:

and how did you take to it?

I bought the Fender online lessons. What I learned is, some people are just not cut out for it. I am one of them. It's like my two hands are connected to two different brains and they have no idea what each other are doing and when.
Posted by jdd48
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2012
24051 posts
Posted on 5/29/26 at 10:07 am to
quote:

I bought the Fender online lessons. What I learned is, some people are just not cut out for it. I am one of them. It's like my two hands are connected to two different brains and they have no idea what each other are doing and when.


It might seem like that, but it just takes practice. Sometimes ALOT of practice. I have all the disadvantages - I don't come from a musical family, never played an instrument prior, don't have natural talent for it, and I have smallish hands. I willed my way into learning guitar through many, many hours of practice and technique analysis. I didn't start guitar late in life, but I am in my forties now and practice more now than ever.
This post was edited on 5/29/26 at 10:08 am
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
87961 posts
Posted on 5/29/26 at 10:09 am to
I can't even play a C.
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