Am I too old to learn the piano?

Of course you can learn. If you have an ear for music why not?

When I did the music store gig, the number one instrument picked up by the elderly was the piano. The piano sparks cognitive functions and finger dexterity, we had multiples of students 70 to 95 that took the piano and excelled.

Obviously, I'm not saying you are elderly, but more so you can never not learn anything you put your mind to!

Joey, did you ever learn any other instruments? I find that music is a lot like language. If you were not raised bi-lingual, you can learn another language, but it is a LOT more difficult. But someone who learned another language early on can much more easily pick up yet another. Music is very similar. Yes, you can learn no matter what, but it will be much easier if you can already read music and have rhythm gained from playing another instrument (I play multiple instruments so this comes from experience).

FYI, my wife is a classically trained vocalist who taught piano lessons in college. 3/4 of my kids are taking piano lessons from graduate students (the 4 year old will start next year). We purchased an upright Steinway from an estate sale for $700 dollars. It has to be tuned a little more often due to age, but its a nice playing/sounding piano. If at least one of my children continues to play into high school (they are all required to take four years by us), then we will consider upgrading to something better depending on funds of course.

After playing the tenor sax for 7 years I was able to upgrade from a used POS we bought from the local music store to a slightly used Selmer Paris Mark VI (a $5000 instrument). I REALLY appreciated that instrument after playing the other one for so long. I would consider something similar for your children, but of course, its your family and your money. Just my take...

mrbigbluelight wrote: »

I bought it for my wife who is well trained

You should be applauded for having a well trained wife. Too many nowadays are just plain sassy.

I should probably issue an apology at this point but ... well, it's probably too late.

I hope you have your final affairs in order.

Somewhere, deep in a hidden bunker, reside a couple highly offended people that frequent here that have set about plotting your demise.

I think you can learn for sure. It takes a LOT of practice before it goes from being a chore to enjoyable though, so if you do try don’t just go for a week and decide you don’t like it.
The piano book I use is really great as well, I am gonna practice after lunch and I can tell you what it is. It teaches you all the basics, but goes quicker from really basic stuff to more intermediate tunes.

I took organ lessons for 10 years growing up, and ended up playing pipe organ before discovering photojournalism and throwing all my time into that.

I still bang around on the piano, and can make my way through sight reading, at age 55

My daughter, age 7, is now taking lessons and I help her with her practice. As a result of that, I’m now considering starting back with lessons with my daughter‘s teacher.

The key is finding a good teacher. Don’t settle for someone in the neighborhood who is just doing it to make a few extra bucks on the side. Check with the local university with a music program, or the local Montessori school, or some of the larger churches in the area that still have traditional music.

See where the lines cross, and start with the person who seems to have the best reputation. They probably won’t be able to work UN, but they will be able to recommend someone.

Finding the right teacher is key. And only slightly less important than actually putting the time and practicing in a disciplined way.

Good luck.

motorhead43026 wrote: »

Not to old for the piano, it is about the easiest instrument to learn. If it were the piccolo, probably yes.

I am confused.

If you have to ask then you are.

Never too late. The kids got an electric keyboard a while back. I wound up playing it the most! Lot's of fun!

Go for it Joey!

It's another activity to share with your family. Don't be discouraged when your kids blow your doors off...they learn so fast

let this be an inspiration

https://youtu.be/LdH1hSWGFGU

My take....if your not too old to keep wearing those shorts, your not too old to learn the Piano.

You can do it. Like you, I took lessons as a kid for a short time, and if you can still read music (as already mentioned above), you have a little head start. Even though I quit playing piano, I did do lots of choral singing, so pretty much had to still read music. Now I have a console piano, originally purchased for my kids to learn - didn't stick, so now I peck around on it occasionally.

Here's your first lesson...guitar hero style, but for piano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbTVZMJ9Z2I