gypsyfiddler Posted March 27, 2002 Report Share Posted March 27, 2002 If that's what you want to do then DO it dwpc. Don't let this 'age' issue prevent you from doing what you love to do. Life is too short to waste in regrets; and who knows, you may surprise yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantom Posted March 27, 2002 Report Share Posted March 27, 2002 Should an old guy take up violin?? The answer is No. Older people should have had all their fun when they were young. At 55, you should be eating at Cafeterias and talking about Depends undergarments, not enjoying life, learning a fab instrument, and making friends online. Heck, you are old enough to be a much older brother of mine. (Well, thats a stretch, but possible). When I taught my girlfriend's Mom (80, and sadly very very sick, she will die really soon) ( Phantom needs a hanky, this is so sad) how to use a computer, how to send email,etc, I realized that age doesnt mean Jack today. I even showed her Daddy a few tricks, and he is 84 and blind. 55 is old? You should get a bada ss sports car and start playing some fiddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuangKaiVun Posted March 27, 2002 Report Share Posted March 27, 2002 just do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Violiner Posted March 27, 2002 Report Share Posted March 27, 2002 I agree with Andy: get a good teacher. I mostly started playing (at 39) as a fluke. I'd love to say I had a burning desire all my life to play, but that just wasn't the case. At any rate, after I got my first violin, I started looking for a teacher and found my musical guardian angel. She's taken me from not even reading music to playing in our community string orchestra. The violin has also led me into the local music club and other music organizations along with finding a new group of friends. This was almost eight years ago and I can't imagine my life without my violin. I owe a huge debt to my teacher for bringing out the latent musician in me. So go forth and find your own musical guardian angel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWoof Posted March 27, 2002 Report Share Posted March 27, 2002 quote: Originally posted by bonsai: Let me join the chorus of encouragement! The musical 'love-of-my-life' has been the piano since age 4. I tried picking up the violin at 27 (10 years ago) in support of my daughter's Suzuki lessons, to no avail; it just didn't 'grab me'. Then last year, it just hit me like a ton of bricks; I had to learn the fiddle. Eight months later (averaging 2-3 hours a day practice), I derive so much joy from my fiddle, it's hard to describe it! Looking back, I have to say, I don't think I was ready to start at 27. One more quick point, my teacher is a 3 time national junior Cape Breton fiddle champ (at the ripe old age of 17) yet despite astonishing technical savvy, he doesn't play with the emotional depth that will eventually come with more life experiences behind him. You have that already. -bonsai "When the student is ready the teacher appears." Buddhist saying. It is very true, I found my teacher when I was ready. It felt like coming home when I began the violin. I guess I had to go through what I did before I was ready myself. Regards, Don Crandall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprucetop Posted March 28, 2002 Report Share Posted March 28, 2002 We're behind you all the way! So many health articles talk about keeping young by staying in the zone and being in the now. Your violin will do this to you. When you have special moments of beauty with your violin it will be truly other-worldly, like running on the Moon or something. Nothing like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn Renee Posted March 28, 2002 Report Share Posted March 28, 2002 Dear D I am another "somewhat" late starter – I turned 30 in January, and started lessons a week later. I haven’t been very musical since high school, when I played clarinet and piano, but found that I didn’t have a particular “love” of either instrument. I liked to play, but didn’t LOVE to play. After graduation, when work took over most of my time, I gave them both up completely, and didn’t really think about playing for many years. I barely even listened to any classical music during the last decade – somehow I just never took the time to treat myself to anything other than the top-40 stuff on my car radio (mind-numbing at best – probably why I listened to it!) It seems really strange how this all came about. My husband took me for a weekend in Salzburg, Austria (we live in the UK, so this was easy for a few days) in November, and we went to a Mozart dinner concert. I sat watching the string quartet from a few feet away, and two very clear thoughts came to my head. 1) You know, I always wanted to learn how to play a violin; and 2) Well, why the **** don’t I TRY to learn then? It was just so clear – it’s like “why didn’t I think about this years ago?” What was I waiting for? In the next month, I pondered it, and rolled it over in my mind to see whether or not I was serious or it was just a whim… but by December I was very sure. I found a teacher, and bought an instrument – not too basic, but one I hoped I wouldn’t grow out of after 6 months. I picked it up on my birthday, and I haven’t been so excited about a birthday present since I was a little girl. My parents and friends have been bemused by the whole idea – I think the general concensus was that I was a little crazy for my attempts, but I didn’t care. Even though the first few weeks were **** on my husband and immediate neighbours, I have had a great time since, and while I’m not great, I’m getting a real feel for what I want to get out of my playing. I love to practice, and hope to get good enough to join an amateur orchestra and do some ensemble work. You are NEVER too old – and if it’s something you will love to do, please try it. If you don’t love it, try something else, but if you DO, it’s priceless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn Renee Posted March 28, 2002 Report Share Posted March 28, 2002 I didn't use too bad a word where I got "starred" in my post above - sorry about that anyway! I don't know how to edit so I guess everyone will just have to think I'm profane. Sorry Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viridian Posted March 29, 2002 Report Share Posted March 29, 2002 quote: Originally posted by Sprucetop: When you have special moments of beauty with your violin it will be truly other-worldly, like running on the Moon or something. I'm definately not at this stage yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted March 29, 2002 Report Share Posted March 29, 2002 You know you're going to do it. So without further adieu, get to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shiloh Posted March 29, 2002 Report Share Posted March 29, 2002 I agree with the other posts. I started violin at age 46 (last year) and love it. Of course I would love to hear only beautiful, marvelous music from my instrument when I play, but I'm willing to work and be patient. If I live to be 77, I will have played 30 years! If you love the violin, then just do it! Although I still play the guitar, my heart truly is with the violin. Good luck! Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zillaspice Posted March 29, 2002 Report Share Posted March 29, 2002 I just started playing violin (well, let's call a spade a spade...FIDDLE) five months ago at the ripe old age of 33. I agree with the member who said it felt like coming home. I have been trying to learn guitar for about 10 years now, and tried piano when I was a kid. Both times, I hated hated hated to practice. I quit piano in high school. As for guitar, I just kept buying more and more expensive ones, thinking that would help. I mean, everyone loves to play guitar, right? Guitar players are a dime a dozen, so it must be MY PROBLEM that I hate to practice! I'm lazy! I'm deficient! ACtually, I just hadn't found the right instrument. In November a friend at work mentioned that her parents had brought her a bunch of stuff from her old bedroom, which they'd finally converted. One of the things she was "stuck with" was her college violin. On a whim, I asked to borrow it, never having an inkling previously that I might want to learn this instrument. Now I am hooked. I can't wait to get home and practice. Sometimes I bring it to work so I can find an empty room and practice during the day. I started by teaching myself with leesons available free online (I pledged not to spend money until I was sure) and after three enjoyable months of that, I applied for a scholarship for private lessons at the Old Town School of folk music. My teacher tells me I am progressing amazingly quickly and will be ready for third level group classes soon. I also attend a weekly old-time jam with some older friends of my husband's who have been playing for many years. They are very encouraging and helped me get started and also choose a Red Screamer of my own which recently came in the mail. I know I'm a fiddler for life now and I'm so grateful I took a chance and followed my instincts. I think prodigy is over-rated and late-blooming is under-valued. If we didn't start things later in life we'd miss the great pleasures--and brain-health--that come with continuing to learn. That's what keeps us young! Go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natnot Posted March 29, 2002 Report Share Posted March 29, 2002 Today I read about a lady of 98, here in the UK, who has just started violin lessons - thus realising her lifelong ambition of playing the violin. I admire her immensely. It's never too late until you're 6 feet under, so go for it. If you really want to play the violin, who cares how old you are? You'll regret it if you don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lzaikoski Posted March 29, 2002 Report Share Posted March 29, 2002 quote: Originally posted by Dawn Renee: I didn't use too bad a word where I got "starred" in my post above - sorry about that anyway! I don't know how to edit so I guess everyone will just have to think I'm profane. Don't worry about it, you probably just said **** ! Len Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dick l graham Posted March 29, 2002 Report Share Posted March 29, 2002 just what i needed. thanks . been teaching myself 2 yrs now and feel thew need for a teacher....guess i will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arr1591 Posted March 30, 2002 Report Share Posted March 30, 2002 The secret is to start, but keep at it! Do not give up. Find the time to practice regularly; do those scales and etudes. If it sounds like crap, keep doing it. As someone has already said, if you live another 30 years and practice an hour a day, you will make good music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James P Posted April 11, 2002 Report Share Posted April 11, 2002 Start learning today! My Grandmother started learning piano at age 69 or 70 (she's 77 now), she bought from a local church, keeps her mind active!! I have a hard time keeping up with her. Never stop learning, yearn for knowledge! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWoof Posted April 11, 2002 Report Share Posted April 11, 2002 quote: Originally posted by zillaspice: I just started playing violin (well, let's call a spade a spade...FIDDLE) five months ago at the ripe old age of 33. I agree with the member who said it felt like coming home. I have been trying to learn guitar for about 10 years now, and tried piano when I was a kid. Both times, I hated hated hated to practice. I quit piano in high school. As for guitar, I just kept buying more and more expensive ones, thinking that would help. I mean, everyone loves to play guitar, right? Guitar players are a dime a dozen, so it must be MY PROBLEM that I hate to practice! I'm lazy! I'm deficient! ACtually, I just hadn't found the right instrument. In November a friend at work mentioned that her parents had brought her a bunch of stuff from her old bedroom, which they'd finally converted. One of the things she was "stuck with" was her college violin. On a whim, I asked to borrow it, never having an inkling previously that I might want to learn this instrument. Now I am hooked. I can't wait to get home and practice. Sometimes I bring it to work so I can find an empty room and practice during the day. I started by teaching myself with leesons available free online (I pledged not to spend money until I was sure) and after three enjoyable months of that, I applied for a scholarship for private lessons at the Old Town School of folk music. My teacher tells me I am progressing amazingly quickly and will be ready for third level group classes soon. I also attend a weekly old-time jam with some older friends of my husband's who have been playing for many years. They are very encouraging and helped me get started and also choose a Red Screamer of my own which recently came in the mail. I know I'm a fiddler for life now and I'm so grateful I took a chance and followed my instincts. I think prodigy is over-rated and late-blooming is under-valued. If we didn't start things later in life we'd miss the great pleasures--and brain-health--that come with continuing to learn. That's what keeps us young! Go for it! What a wonderful story, I also am a guitar convert. I played classical guitar for over twenty years and never really warmed up to it. When I finally got up the nerve to play the violin it was an epiphiany. Regards, Don Crandall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suziebarb Posted April 11, 2002 Report Share Posted April 11, 2002 I agree with all that has been posted on this subject. PICK UP THAT FIDDLE AND YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN FOR LONG. I notice that I have the best time now that I am learning the violin -- it is so much fun to go to the symphony and watch the violin section - even though I get jealous when someone has started playing as early as 8 years of age. (well, if they are 28, they have been playing for 20 years, so they should sound GREAT!) QUIT TALKING ABOUT IT AND JUST DO IT!!!! YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K544 Posted April 11, 2002 Report Share Posted April 11, 2002 No, I don't think you should. Stick to Lanner waltzes on the bagpipes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violdoc Posted April 11, 2002 Report Share Posted April 11, 2002 I urge you to read " A Thousand Mornings of Music ". Any Older person who loves the violin should learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picfiddle Posted April 12, 2002 Report Share Posted April 12, 2002 Hey! have you done it yet? Run don't walk to the nearest decent teacher and get started. Keep us posted...look how many people are rooting for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yosef Posted April 12, 2002 Report Share Posted April 12, 2002 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
namooz Posted April 12, 2002 Report Share Posted April 12, 2002 You know, it is really great to see such a strong vote of support for late bloomers (myself included)! Get someone you feel good about that knows how to play well. Contact your local university or search out a teacher through the school system. Read as many technical books as you can find on bow holds, left hand etc., and USE this with what you are shown by experienced players. Experiment. You can do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaM Posted April 17, 2002 Report Share Posted April 17, 2002 Definitely! I am 33 or 34, I forget which. You're never to old to learn something! (Also a pipes player) Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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