Starting or (re-starting) to play a musical instrument in later years

What an inspiration you are witzend. I stopped piano exams when I was preparing for GCEs. I stopped playing altogether in my 3Os. I still have the piano my dad bought me when I was 7, I have it tuned, and keep saying I'll take it up again. I have all my old music sheets ( somewhere) and now feel this is something I'd like to do and not just sit here thinking about it. Thanks for the motivation. ?

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have, Bellampnonna! I think I probably drive OH a bit bonkers sometimes, practising the same trickier bits over and over - he says not but I think he's just being nice...

Forgot to say, in case it might be useful for anyone else, the books I used for getting back into it on my own were the Carol Barratt course (classical piano for adult beginners). I found them very good.

Well done, Witzend. I'd love to be able to play an instrument. I tried to teach myself to play an electronic keyboard some years ago but I failed, then a couple of years ago I joined a group to learn the ukelele but no-one told me you have to sing along and I have a terrible singing voice, so that discouraged me and I gave up.

I like the idea of the cello...that's got me thinking...

I learned the violin for four years at school. I haven't touched one since. I didn't have my own instrument, and borrowed one from the school. I didn't take any exams, but was deemed good enough, by my teacher, to join the Northern Youth Orchestra summer school. I played second violin with them.
I dread to think what sort of noise I would make if I picked one up now. I would love to try.

I'd love to - need to have a think I was 'expelled' from the school choir in Juniors because, basically, I can't sing for toffee. I'd love to do something that is musical and why not learn to play an instrument? Life in work was just too busy. Anyone with an idea of something less complex for a complete novice? We don't have room for a piano.

As many Gners know, I took up a ukulele about 9 months ago. Absolutely love it (so much so that I am in 4 ukulele groups and now have 5 ukuleles)

I also learned violin at school and took no exams and didn't touch it for more than 40 years, Whn I retired I was persuaded to come along to an amateur orchestra where I felt completely out of my depth in the first rehearsal. However with encouragement from other orchestra members I persisted and also had a year's worth of revision lessons with a violin teacher, and I have improved beyond my wildest dreams. I'm still not all that good, but can play most of the music at orchestra now , missing out or simplifying what I can't play and I absolutely love it - it's the highlight of my week.. I have also joined an amateur string orchestra which I enjoy. My husband also took up the trumpet again on retirement and plays in the same orchestra as me and also in a brass group. I know lots of people who have come back to play an instrument in their retirement, or even learnt a new instrument from scratch although that is obviously harder. It does help if you learned to read music as a child, but if not, even that can be overcome. I recommend having lessons though to learn a new instrument as it's hard to keep motivated when teaching yourself.

Someone on another thread suggested the recorder but ........... I don't know. I did read somewhere about 'rock choirs'. I know I've said I can't sing but I've also read that everyone can sing if they are taught properly. Has anyone else heard of rock choirs?

PS Hildajen I am in the back row or so of the second violins and that's where I want to stay! Other instruments eg brass or woodwind get to play solo parts which would be awful!

Please, please carry on with that piano, OP. I didn't touch a piano for 30 years, then I decided on a whim to get some lessons.

I'm now the proud owner of two Grade 8s, and halfway through two diplomas.

My friend, in her 60s, has just passed Grade 4 Jazz Piano. Do it! Please! You won't regret it.

Blimey, gettingon. Well done you !

I play the piano and tenor recorder and sing in a choir. I am not brilliant but love all three genres and I find that the more I practise, the better I become. I would encourage anyone who has a yen to make a start - don't put it off, just have a go!

I am just starting to learn the washboard! I have never been musical, sadly, but feel I may have recently found my instrument.

seacliff you can start a skiffle group! Gransnet"s answer to Lonnie Donegan

Me on the Uke with Seacliff on the WB

I started piano lessons again in my 50's and eventually bought my own piano. I loved my lessons and continued for 3-4years. The arrival of the dgc changed the dynamic and I don't play as much as I did, but my piano is still in the dining room and I snatch a few moments now and then.

I' bought a keyboard thinking I could teach myself to play it. Unfortunately I'm finding it daunting so haven't looked at it for months. I was wondering if it was possible to have free online lessons. It would be a great hobby but it seems so difficult.

Ha ha, a friend plays bango, so with the uke, we're there!.

rascal have you looked at youtube?

Oh didn't think it would be possible on YouTube. I'll have a look. It would be great if this was the answer! Thank you gettingonabit

I started piano lessons with DD, she was 6 and I thought I would be able to supervise her if I learnt as well. Well I couldn't keep up with her, I kept looking at my fingers and the teacher kept rapping them with a ruler. Within a year DD had taken her first exam and I was still plodding through " doh a deer ". I stopped the lessons after a few years but now I think it would be a good time to start again, I wonder if DD still has the early music books ? We used to have an organ as well, I could play that because it had a lot of cheaty features

I've been learning to play piano for the last year, and I love it! I still manage to make perfectly nice, well known tunes completely unrecognisable, but it's a great stress reliever. Mr H is very understanding, and never complains at the clunky practice, but I am getting better. I highly recommend it.

I used to play piano for assemblies and concerts at school when I was teaching but never had access to a piano after I left teaching. I didn't think I had room for one and hate keyboards.

But I was persuaded to try an electric piano and was amazed at the tone and the touch - almost like a 'real' piano. AND two advantages - firstly it's smaller (though the keyboard is exactly the same size) and I can fit it into the conservatory which you couldn't do with a normal piano as it would affect the tuning.

I now play again and have started giving lessons.