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My Musical Odyssey
by Judy Siegrist
More and more adults are undertaking the challenge of
learning to play a musical instrument. Some are completely
new to music making, while some are returning to an instrument they previously played.
I have played the piano and guitar, mostly by ear, for more years than I care to count! Only after my husband and I retired in 1999 did I decide to study classical guitar. The only previous formal music education I had was two years of violin and one summer of piano in elementary school, and two years of chorus in high school. Learning came easy to me and, within just a little over a year, I had requests to perform at various functions and give lessons.
One question that frequently arises from adults who are considering taking up an instrument is this: “Isn’t it harder for adults to learn than children?” I don’t think so; after all, adults should have more general knowledge, discipline, and focus than children. Generally, adults do what they want to do. No one is standing over their shoulder prodding them to learn something new. The motivation to learn and practice is theirs alone.
Adults must take several things into consideration when they think about taking up a musical instrument, however. One question to ask is, “How dexterous am I? In order to play the piano or classical guitar for instance, one has to be able to use both hands independently to execute melody and accompaniment.
Fortunately, most other instruments produce only one note at a time, which may be more suitable for the adult novice. Ask yourself the following: What kind of instruments do I enjoy listening to? How much money do I want to invest in an instrument? Do I have any physical limitations that might interfere with learning to play a particular instrument? How much time and energy do I have to devote to study and practice? Do I want to be a soloist or would I rather make music with others? Will I have access to a good teacher in my area? Do I have realistic goals?
Expectations are important. Adults often determine to play their instruments faster and better than is reasonable. I’ve witnessed a number of students with this mindset give up too soon in frustration.
Adults who approach music making for the sheer joy of learning and playing are the ones who tend to succeed. Realistic expectations include the following desires: to learn something new, to play for personal enjoyment and fulfillment, to share with others who have similar musical interests, etc. What expectations do you have?
When my children learned to play a few notes on plastic recorders in grade school, I was not inspired to rush out do likewise. Years later, however, when I sampled a program of Handel wind sonatas performed on Baroque alto recorder, I was drawn to the pure, sweet tones. Since good wood recorders can be quite expensive, I elected to begin with a top-of-the-line plastic alto recorder. I soon acquired enough skills to join an informal recorder consort, and was fortunate enough to study Baroque ornamentation with a former university music professor the following summer. I now play both soprano and alto, and own several wood recorders.
Since my adult musical odyssey began, I have consistently gained momentum! This past year, my husband presented me with a violin for my birthday. After a forty year hiatus, I resumed study with a local adult string orchestra and private lessons. Ever desiring to expand my musical horizons, I have also studied music theory and history, started teaching beginning recorder, coached and played in small instrumental ensembles, performed for church and social functions, and written several music related articles.
Most recently, I decided it was high time to rekindle my ability to read bass clef, so I am starting fresh with keyboard lessons. It is easy to steal many hours of the day for music making and study. I divide my practice time each day between either violin and keyboard or recorders and guitar. It’s not a hard fast rule; rather, it’s a guideline. The priority is to enjoy, and enjoy I do!
Judy Siegrist is an amateur classical guitarist and recorderist, as well as a keen violin and keyboard student.
Looking for more articles on Classical Guitar? |
| Starting Over |
| Music Offers a New Beginning |
| Clicking with the Classics |
| Creating Community the Classical Way |
