Are you an adult thinking about learning a musical instrument? You don’t need as much time as you’d think to gain competence in music, and depending on the instrument you choose, you could be playing songs or pieces within a few months. The most important thing to consider is that you will need to allot 15-30 minutes per day (or as many days as possible) to practicing your instrument. Without consistent practice or study, you won’t see any progress.
If you have any questions about getting started with music lessons in Brooklyn, we would be happy to guide you. Our teaching artists include pianists, string players, guitarists, drummers, and more, and we can also hold a one time trial lesson to get you started.
What’s the Best Instrument For an Adult To Learn?
The best instrument for an adult to learn is one that motivates the person to study and practice. The piano is harder to learn than the guitar, for instance, but if you are highly motivated to take piano lessons and practice on your own, you will learn it relatively quickly. The same applies to violin, cello, drums, and more.
Can Adults Learn the Guitar Quickly?
Practically speaking, the guitar is an accessible place to start. It’s a low investment instrument, it is portable and easy to store, and you can enjoy learning and playing chords fairly quickly. In fact, you can learn guitar chords before you even start taking guitar lessons in Brooklyn at our studio. If you want to play scales, read notes, play advanced rock licks or even learn how to play classical guitar literature, you will need to invest several years, but the barrier to entry is low.
Is It Hard For Adults to Learn the Piano?
Playing piano requires that you learn the keys on the piano, how to read notes in the bass and treble clefs, and play with both hands simultaneously, among other things. It is common for adult students to play rudimentary music with both hands at the end of their first year. If you want to play more advanced repertoire like Claire de Lune, you should plan on reaching that goal in year four of your playing journey, if you are fairly motivated.
Can an Adult Learn to Play the Drums?
We’ve worked with many adults interested in drum lessons in Brooklyn, and whether you are a young professional or an older adult, you can also reach your goals on the drums. Drums are an excellent choice for aspiring musicians, because they:
- Allow you to practice with fun backing tracks
- Let you join a band and collaborate with others
- Give you the chance to play “real” music even while you are still a beginner.
The downside is that you must have room for an acoustic or electric drum set at home, but the good news is that e-drums are relatively inexpensive, and they can still offer a great playing experience.
How Hard is it for an Adult to Learn the Violin or Cello?
String instruments are challenging. They are difficult in part because you have to master separate techniques in your left and right hands, but you must also learn to read music fluently, identify key and time signatures (although this applies to any instrument), and more. Additionally, you’ll need to specifically practice how to produce a beautiful sound – the violin and cello are not like the piano or guitar, on which you simply depress a key or strum the strings and enjoy a pleasing sound. On the violin, your bowing technique must be strong enough to actually generate a nice tone.
It will take several years to get to the point where you can perform in a civic orchestra or chamber group, but the result is worth the effort.
The Sooner You Start, the Faster You’ll be Playing Music
Many adult students wish they had started lessons when they were younger, and that applies to people in their 20s, 40s, 60s, and beyond. The truth is, you will reach a point where you are enjoying your musical instrument if you commit to practicing. But you have to get started.
If you want to learn more about lessons, we encourage you to send us an email at your earliest convenience. We help students of all ages and skill levels, and we’d love to support your dream of playing an instrument.
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