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Too old to learn?
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (6 votes) 
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Tim
Ireland

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October 13, 2014 - 4:36 pm
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Probably been asked a zillion times but....
Am I too old at 50 to learn violin and is this the place to learn??
I can read music. I played accordion from 9 - 15 years old but hated it.
Would love to play violin especially blues.

Would appreciate any insight from similar people.

Thanks,

Tim

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StoneDog
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October 13, 2014 - 4:42 pm
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Nope, not too old > You can read music and already playing another instrument > NOPE > not too old. Your only hurtle will be the first month or so getting use to it.

YOUR gonna LOVE IT!!! but there is gonna be a little pain at first.

DO IT!!!

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cdennyb
King for a Day, Peasant for many
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October 13, 2014 - 4:46 pm
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Well if you're too old at 50, I'm 59 and should give up and dig a hole!

Welcome Tim, this is fantastic place to learn. I had zero experience when I came here almost 3 years ago and I love it. Now I can play several tunes to my satisfaction and I still don't read sheet music. The "family" you have decided to join up with will support you all the way and help with issues and problems and of course, we ALL have asked those same questions that you have and of course we all have our own answers! Ha.

Many of us here are very technical minded, meaning the mechanics of the violin, fixing and repairing and so forth, some are really into the theory part, and others are just down right gifted... that's not me. I'm the mechanical type.

Of course not... you're never too old to learn anything. Are you going to be a virtuoso, probably not, but I play for myself and I'm quite content just being able to make some pleasant sounds. Welcome to the group and hope your stay here is long and profitable.

 

thumbs-uphats_off

"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
October 13, 2014 - 5:24 pm
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Hello, I am 49 and still learning the basics.  If I can learn anyone can. :)

Thanks to this site and a handful of lessons I can play a lot of nice songs that are not that bad.   I love playing.

I'd would be a very rich person if I got paid for all the practice.  I practice and play often... a lot.... as much as I can... :)

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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KindaScratchy
Massachusetts
October 13, 2014 - 6:44 pm
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You're definitely NOT too old. I started learning at 49 (52 now). This site is a big reason why I've stuck with it and will continue to stick with it. There are other fiddle and vioin sites but, IMHO, none are as supportive and helpful as this one.

Congratulations and welcome, @Tim !

When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,

I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.

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DanielB
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October 13, 2014 - 7:00 pm
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Never too old to learn.  I don't know where people get that idea.  You may be a little old to try for "child prodigy", but as long as you're ok with that, you should be fine.  LOL

"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman

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Uzi
Georgia

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October 13, 2014 - 8:58 pm
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Every day above ground is a good day to learn something new.  

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright

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Gil
Inverness, Scotland.
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October 14, 2014 - 6:17 am
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I started a few months ago, age 62, I may not get to be very good (as long as I am happy) but you are never too old to try.

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Mark
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October 14, 2014 - 7:18 am
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Welcome aboard,

An I agree your never to old to start, I figured I would be the one of a few older folks starting back up on the Fiddle, refreshing to know I'm not the oldest!

 

Mark

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

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DanielB
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October 14, 2014 - 9:06 am
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Kind of interesting that people often seem to wonder about if they are too old to start learning an instrument.. But I've been thinking maybe folks would be better off wondering if they are too old to quit.

I mean, doesn't there come a point where you can look at your age and your likely life expectancy and think... "Aw, what the heck.  I may as well just stick with it."

"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman

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Tim
Ireland

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October 14, 2014 - 4:18 pm
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Thanks so much to you all for the positive comments and encouragement!

I'm going to allay all the fears and tackle this head-on!

I'll keep you upto date on progress.

I'm in Ireland btw.

@DanielB: Totally agree with what you're saying, but I'll avoid looking at the likely life expectancy... puts the hairs up on the back of my neck!! :-)

Thanks again,

Tim

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Uzi
Georgia

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October 14, 2014 - 10:21 pm
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I wish I was 50 again. 

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright

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Kiara
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October 15, 2014 - 12:57 am
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Welcome aboard Tim, great to have you here. :)

I'm sure you'll find plenty of advice, and encouragement here.

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Tyberius
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October 15, 2014 - 4:03 pm
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Your chronological age has nothing to do with your ability to learn. Your physiological age and certain physical disabilities might deter your efforts though. I just crossed the 50 Yard line and have been here (and gone) for about 2 1/2 years give or take. I am just now beginning to learn how to bow smoothly and be less choppy. I can read notes and identify with 82% surety I am hitting somewhere near where I need to be. The tone deaf dog loves my playing. beg

Is it my goal in life to take over for Itzhak? Is it my plan to preform solo for a philharmonic using one of several donated Strads? Absolutely not. I have a very nice set of violins I have collected. I enjoy my little ditties and partial pieces I can play. I love struggling adding a trill, slide or double stop to something I can actually grind through. To me, it is just purely the love of the instrument. Simply enjoying something you are doing at whatever skill level your abilities place you at. However much time you have to devote to this pastime, hobby or passion is up to you. Certainly, by not trying, you may be doing yourself an injustice. At 55, you could say, I've been playing this blasted piece for 5 years and finally, it sounds mostly right ;)  

- OR -

At age 55 you could say, I'm too old to start learning something new.

I should have started 5 years ago. 

violinclocktickclocktick clocktickclocktickclockviolin

"I find your lack of Fiddle, disturbing" - Darth Vader

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
October 15, 2014 - 4:19 pm
Member Since: January 11, 2012
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@Tyberius  I love this post!!! 

I Love your attitude.... I hope to be checking in at the five year mark with the same success as you...

However I do plan to give Itzhak a run for his money...  KIDDING... :)

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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DanielB
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October 15, 2014 - 5:26 pm
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50 used to be considered kinda old, I guess.  But these days, with advances in medicine and educational opportunities, I have talked to quite a few people now that think of it as just a good age for "re-tooling" to prepare for your next career.  It is not as old as it used to be.  Neither is 70, for that matter, or any age, really.

"Retirement" used to be a carrot that was dangled at the 65 yr old line of life.  But having seen older friends who retired and died a very few years later, and the ones that died of heart attacks in their "big push" the last couple of years before retirement, I decided a few years ago that I can maybe live better without ever going after that particular carrot.  Most of the friends who are older than myself who are in good shape and good health are still working, though many of them took a change in lifestyle or career direction. 

When I hit 50 a few years ago (I'm 53 now), I gave such matters quite a bit of thought.  And I'll admit, some worry.  But deciding I wasn't ready to wrap things up and think of life as done, I started thinking about what I'd like to do, what my half a century had given me in life experiences that I could build on, and for part of my 51st birthday, I started looking at violins.  I'd always wanted to try the instrument, one hears how hard it is and how expensive, how much work to learn and etc.  I let that sort of talk chase me off when I was younger.  But as an adult, I know better than to be chased off by just talk when I can find out for myself and see what *I* can do.

So one can worry about being "too old" or just decide it is time to re-tool and gain the skills and education you'll need for "round 2". 

I do think small children have some learning advantages.  But so do adults.  Adults are often more self-disciplined, have learned what can be accomplished with some work and sticking to something rather than becoming discouraged when things will take some time.  Life experiences can give us a better long-term perspective, and at least a lot of us have learned to be better at budgeting our time than when we were kids. 

Besides, it is never too late to have a happy childhood.  This time you can hold out for the new bike, a pony AND violin lessons.  LOL

"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman

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Mad_Wed
Russia, Tatarstan rep. Kazan city
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October 15, 2014 - 5:39 pm
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Hi, Tim, and Welcome!

No, You're definitelly not too old to do anything, unless the age is an excuse or a physical opstacle (which as i've understood is not your case).

I was basically convinced by the others that it's too late to learn to play violin at 10... then at 15.... and especially at 28 when i actually started

So just grab a fiddle and have fun. The one who have to decide - is You.

 

Uzi said
I wish I was 50 again. 

thumbs-up

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
October 16, 2014 - 8:02 am
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Sometimes I read all your posts and all I can think is, "You guys are amazing".... Fantastic attitudes and thoughts. I can't add a thing to this.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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Aqualung

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November 11, 2014 - 11:15 pm
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54 in a few weeks and ready to get started!  Looks like a very nice site ! Glad i am here!  Just got a violin this weekend........will try a local instructor first. I am very excited! But I am afraid I do not have the talent. Will give it all I got!

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Mark
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November 12, 2014 - 2:22 am
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Aqualung,

Welome to the community of fiddle folks join in and have some fun.

Mark

Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.

Albert Sammons

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