Many adult students question if “it’s too late” or if “they’ve missed their chance” to undertake an instrument. Scientific studies have shown that engaging in music lessons provides a myriad of positive effects for students of every age. While taking music lessons as an adult might seem like a frivolous expense, we’d like you to read Kristin’s story.
Kristin is a full-time working mom in her 40s who decided to take up piano lessons again. She explains:
Taking piano lessons as an adult has been an entirely new experience. As a kid, it’s a ‘have to’ opportunity; as an adult, it’s a ‘get to.’ I took lessons when I was a kid, but I didn’t enjoy them like I do now. I could read music and understand theory, but for twenty-five years, I wasn’t interested in playing. Taking lessons again as an adult has made playing fun! I can sit down and play songs I love so I would say learning as an adult is all about learning to play pieces for myself.
Getting back to playing the piano as an adult has been an incredible experience. Not only is it fun and fulfilling for me, personally, it’s also providing another example to my son that hard work and persistence are the keys to overcoming challenges. When he sees me practice and struggle — and then practice more and master it — it’s the best example I can think of for him to emulate.
Lots of people ask me how I can possibly have time to take piano lessons, but you make time for what is important to you. I’m a single mom that works full-time, so my lessons are before work on Wednesdays. Most days, I can only practice for 15 or 20 minutes, with longer stretches on the weekends. I can go at my own pace and focus on what I want to focus on.
Playing in the Winterfest recital was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Memorize a 6-page song to play in front of a hundred people? My brain just doesn’t work that way after having kids! However, I was able to do it and it was an incredible feeling to know that I could — that I can — do that. It’s probably similar to what marathon runners feel; that sense of accomplishment for setting out to do something really difficult and succeeding.
Since I started my weekly lessons at Arts Academy, I have made all kinds of new neural pathways in my brain! I went from not being able to play without lots of practicing to being able to sight read anything out of the Primary Children’s Songbook and accompanying choirs and violinists at church.
At Arts Academy, we invite and encourage older students to join in on our lessons. Kristin is our prime example of how learning a musical instrument has relieved her stress, has given her something to work towards, and has been a creative outlet in her hectic schedule. Let her be a motivation to you that: YES, you can accomplish hard things and you can make time for it if it’s important to you.
We know you’ve been thinking about it, so what are you waiting for? You deserve this!
