Adult beginner- is it possible?

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WayneAUST Registered User (9/27/00 8:00:34 am) Reply	Adult beginner- is it possible? What advice would you give to a 40 year old who wants to learn to play the cello? I have been told that it's a very difficult instrument to learn but I would have thought that all instruments are difficult for adults to learn.
Ellen G Registered User (9/27/00 8:09:24 am) Reply	YES!!! You'd be surprised to learn how many of you there are out there. It is hard work, but it's fun, rewarding. The hard things, being an adult student, are (1) making consistent practice times and having a clear head when we have other work commitments, financial issues, or kids that require time (2) our muscles and fingers can be a little stiffer than when we were younger (3) our brains are overly analytical sometimes Find a good teacher; it is critical so the time you DO spend on this undertaking is spent well. Like learning a foreign language, it's always easier when you're younger and your brain is less cluttered, but you may appreciate it more as an adult. Go for it, have fun, and report back often!
KeyWestStrings Registered User (9/27/00 8:12:37 am) Reply	Re: Adult beginner- is it possible? Hi, Wayne, I was 37 when I started playing the cello. My daughter was playing violin and I was in danger of becoming a "stage mom". So her teacher loaned me her cello and let me join the childrens orchestra. It has been one of the most rewarding enterprises I have ever undertaken. I may never master the Bach Solo Suites in this life, but I expect to come back as a child prodigy in my next life. Judith PS: You'll learn much faster than a young child and be a joy to your teacher. My advice to you: Stick with it and enjoy and hire the best teacher you can find. Judith McKnight
WhataDaryl Registered User (9/27/00 8:15:12 am) Reply	Re: Adult beginner- is it possible? Welcome to the wonderful world of Celli, I think the level of difficulty for learning anything is really only related to the individual person. I started playing the cello in the sixth grade and picked it up rather quickly. However, prior to that, I took three years of piano and struggled everyday. The key to learning anything is paying attention, listening to your instructor, practicing, and above all, have fun. I think also part of it is attitude. If you BELIEVE it will be hard, it will. Just take it in the context that its a hobby. It's for your own enjoyment, so don't take it any faster than you feel comfortable. Don't expect to start playing on Monday and on Thursday playing Vivaldi solos. Start out simple and work your way up. If you want some advice for a good learner's book, check out "Just for Strings". They have some decent string methods, beginner songs, and great illustrations. It should still be in print. If not, you can pick up used copies at most music shops. Good luck, Daryl
OyOy Registered User (9/27/00 8:18:37 am) Reply	Re: YES!!! And by all means check out cellos2go.com before acquiring your first instrument. I have taught many adult amateurs, and while it's true that the joints are not as pliable & trainable as with young students, I have found that their maturity and ability to concentrate are major assets. If you love the instrument and its literature, I strongly encourage you to go for it. You'll also find kindred souls over on the "Cellists by Night" board. Edited by: OyOy at: 9/27/00 8:18:37 am
MsCheryl Registered User (9/27/00 8:30:47 am) Reply	Re: Adult beginner- is it possible? My main word of advice here - don't be too hard on yourself. My major problem with adult beginners is that they overcriticize themselves and then become discouraged. Enjoy the process.
Betsy C Registered User (9/27/00 10:12:36 am) Reply	Oh Yeah!!! There have been some very interesting insights and perspectives here. I started last year at the grand age of 44, and while my colleagues here will never have to worry whether I am going to rival them for orchestra seats, it has been such a blessing to me. I have having a blast and although my progress is slow, I am finally realizing and remembering to not be so hard on myself and I am enjoying the process a lot more. I advise strongly that you obtain a good teacher who understands the pitfalls of learning this instrument as an adult. I echo what Ellen said about the unique difficulties we adult cellists have to overcome. I cannot emphasize enough that the sooner you start, the more fun you can start to have. I am now playing duets with a cellist friend and that has helped my confidence, too. Go for it! You may be a natural at it; you will never know unless you try. Feel free to e mail me privately if you wish. I was not a natural at this, but the happiness I have gotten from the cello cannot be measured in words. And, consider cellos2go for a starter cello. I have had only positive experiences in ordering from Ellen's company. Good luck to you. P.S. Do also consider spending a little time on the Cellists By Night board; we are kindred souls indeed! Edited by: Betsy C at: 9/27/00 10:12:36 am
me4cello Registered User (9/27/00 9:20:35 am) Reply	It's a bit like eating an elephant.... At first it may seem an impossible task..starting is daunting, but get a good teacher, put aside a little time for practise and before you know it you'll be joining a community orchestra... ENJOY!!!
Sopher Registered User (9/27/00 9:48:43 am) Reply	Re: It's a bit like eating an elephant.... Hey, I took up woodwinds about 3 years ago, so I can understand your apprehension. It is very difficult to go into that room and be a complete novice when you are accustomed to being competent in other areas of your life (maybe even other instruments). Some teachers want to treat everybody like a 5th grader - it is worth the effort to find one who relates well to adults. It is VERY difficult to avoid being your own worst critic (my wife refers to me as "her dissatisfied genius"), especially when the tendency is to compare yourself to the people you hear on the radio and only see the vast gulf between them and you. One thing I found that helps with this is to record yourself playing every few months and go back and review the recordings periodically. Although this is a brutally honest medium, it will quickly show you how much real progress you have made over the last six months. If you don't do this your only guide will be how much the gulf between you and the professionals has shrunk, and since it probably hasn't noticeably, that leads to negativism. Also, if you are new to music, or coming back after a long layoff I would highly recommend the book "Making Music for the Joy of It", (or something very close to that - might be "Love of It", don't have it in front of me). This is an excellent guide and encouragement for the amateur on any instrument. The big plus is that taking up an instrument at our age we appreciate it so much more - so the effort is so richly rewarding compared to if we had been drilled by our parents as kids. My ultimate goal on sax is to play a whole note C-scale with such marvelous tone that grown women burst into tears. If I do take up the cello, I believe that would make a good goal for it also! Remember, what's important is how far you have come, not how far ahead the professionals still are! Good luck and have fun! Sopher
JanJan Registered User (9/27/00 10:45:28 am) Reply	Re: Adult beginner- is it possible? Well, let me just echo everything that's been said so far. Yes, yes, YES!! Go for it and don't question your sanity. It's a lot of hard work, but it is SO worth the effort. I started serious study on the cello in my mid-forties. I now enjoy a regular diet of chamber music with friends, and can't imagine how boring and unsatisfying my life would be without Emma (my cello). I second Sopher's recommendation on Stephanie Judy's book. It's an enjoyable, inspiring, and practical look at the life of adult amateur musicians. Another book you may want to look for is "Never Too Late" by educator John Holt (he too took up the cello in his forties). It's more about his personal music journey, but has lots to say about how people learn. The last few chapters were (for me, at least) revolutionary and helped me realize that yes, adults CAN learn something as challening as the cello---once they believe in themselves. Good luck in your music journey. May you have strong fingers, a fluid bow arm, and joy and blessings besides. Janet
Sorefingers Registered User (9/27/00 11:12:58 am) Reply	Adult Beginner - Oh Yeah Baybee Just DO IT Wayne ! I began my cello adventure at 37 - I call it my mid-life crisis thing. Your teacher will be key, as well as YOUR attitude. As an adult newbie cellist wannabe, you'll have to remember to "enjoy the journey" and be able to laugh at yourself. I had forgotten how, and 7 years later am beginning to enjoy EVERY aspect of playing my cello - even those stinking scales and thumb positions (just put the thumb positions "on a shelf" for a couple months - you'll understand later - that was for the others). You will be put in situations where grade school students will be able to play the pants off you, BUT, you will be able to play your part with so much more PASSION due to your life experiences - . All the above posts are full of great advice and info - especially about Cellos2go - great service and product. Just take a deep breath, find a good teacher, and jump in, with the promise to yourself that you will practice and give this new part of your life a chance to work. Be sure to lurk or participate on the Cellist by Night board - most of us are adult beginners - tons of empathy, info, and encouragement. Best wishes for your success.