Is It Too Late to Become a Good Musician? The Hard Truth You Need to Hear

[@funkchunk2701]

It's too late - when you're DEAD. As long as you're alive just enjoy the process of creating - anything, at any level. While alive - LIVE!!!!!!

[@RadarAustralia]

Brilliant attitude!

[@officialWWM]

That is such great advice!

[@larryherbert252]

I agree, l took up bass guitar and the 1st time l could play a couple of notes, it felt great!!!! sure l wish l would have started when l was younger (I’m in my 60’s now) so I’m just enjoying learning etc

[@bernstock]

Right on brother

[@dougsmith8430]

Thank you, love your comment!

[@peterclark1041]

At 83 ….self taught from KZbin since lockdown (2020?)…..I am very happy enjoying my progress…..and have so much to learn…..but all the greatest pianists say the same thing!!! That’s the marvel of learning to play music…..its never finished for the Greats, nor me!!!

[@jsuntres1]

Thanks for your inspiring story! You are awesome!

[@lshwadchuck5643]

Me, too! Age 73.

[@fretlessblunder]

A few years ago, I asked myself the question "why do I practice so much". Not sure how I stumbled upon this formulation, but I answered it this way "so that I can recover gracefully when I make a mistake" That's when I stopped worrying about getting better and whether it was too late to be good . If you love the process, the rest will take care of itself.

[@tomdbass1]

Beautifully put and 100% correct. Couldn’t agree with you more.

[@ramiromaciel6045]

there is a limit in your roof but there are no limits for your floor.

[@MedhatithiGuha]

So nicely said and glad to know I am not the only person thinking the same😊

[@stevenponte6655]

Exactly man. I was a pro musician for 20 years, had some minor successes but it was a grind. I pivoted to a full time non music career, but still play, and practice and learn. For a while I was asking myself the exact same question! But I love the process of practicing. I love the feeling of accomplishment of trying to get this this new line, which felt impossible at first, under my fingers. It actually gives my life meaning. And there is so much talk now about people, mainly men, not having meaning in their lives. So let’s grab it where we can. And the biggest irony is that now I don’t have to worry about music to pay the bills, I’m playing and sounding better than I ever did (and I’m 51)

[@troymorley902]

Nailed it. I did Jazz course in my 20's. Stopped playing for 20 years but I have recently returned to the instrument and I am flying now. Lovin' it.

[@donschneider7953]

Sad. I'm 73. But not too old to still enjoy learning and playing. Focused on fun, not gigs.

[@jonbarnhart1947]

When I was in my late 40s I was starting up jazz piano lessons and my numbskull teacher told me it was too late, that in 20 years I would retain none of this and that 18 year olds at Juliard and Berkley can pick up all information instantaneously with almost no explanation (including bebop soloing after 7 months from beginner level) and retain everything with photographic precision. Needless to say I wasn’t with that teacher for much longer(and he was very wrong)

[@guitartutorhk6506]

You teacher sucked! glad you stayed at it

[@jsuntres1]

He was a jerk! I’m 67. I started learning guitar at 62, never having even touched one before. 2 years ago I took up the piano. I am now able to play jazz with my buddies. Okay, I’m not Oscar Peterson or George Benson but it’s fun and family and friends who listen enjoy. Of course, I am blessed with a great teacher who is a multi-instrumentalist!

[@timcoakley5498]

@@jsuntres1hey good for you, I love stories like this.

[@Netunoblu]

My drum teacher was like this. I think usually it’s these musicians that are saltiest because all they ended up doing was just becoming a teacher.

[@Critique808]

You're supposed to tell your piano teacher that you are an adult at beginning level or check their pre requisite so that the teacher know what level to start you with. You don't want to be in an advanced piano lesson when you're a beginner or put you in a kiddie class with a bunch of kids. If the piano teacher doesn't like you, then get another teacher. I remember they did a short interview before signing up like what level are you, do you have a piano at home, do you have time to practice, etc.

[@StanJones-ww8th]

There is a rather famous story about cellist Pablo Casals that might fit here. A reporter asked him why he still practicing at age 90 to which he replied, "... because I think i am making progress"

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

😂😂😂

[@1953MMike]

I'm 70..Been playing guitar 65 years. I'm in a church band with great musicians, many are my kids and grandkids age. What a blast! 😊

[@montyellingsworth4982]

I started playing guitar at 16. I am 54 and there were some years when I had quit because I became deaf at a level that made me decide it was not worth trying any longer. Then I had a cochlear implant surgery and decided to try again. I'm probably never going to be the musician I wanted to be but I am enjoying playing the stuff that I can.

[@pmayonnaise1]

Sometimes I think "if I had started practicing XYZ 10 years ago, I'd be a way better player today". Well guess what? *Today* is that point in time for your future self 10 years from now. So start practicing, and like Jeff says, enjoy!

[@RadarAustralia]

I started guitar @61 to ward off dementia.

[@Critique808]

How does playing guitar 🎸 ward off dementia?

[@RadarAustralia]

@@Critique808 Classical guitar playing needs a high degree of problem solving skills in coordinating fingering, reading music notation and dealing with the dynamics. It tests the brain at every turn. Some research suggests that musicians, especially those who start at an early age, have more white matter in their brain. However, no double blind or observational research, just a hunch on my part.

[@charleswettish8701]

@@Critique808 Working your brain, in general helps. Playing music involves 100% focus and has long been known to strengthen the brain. And the endorphins and other good brain chemicals released by fun, also helps.

[@charleswettish8701]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqfXf3iidtKJp7c&ab_channel=StarTalk

[@JoMajorSax]

Good job! I play saxophone for the same reason!

[@russelllane2797]

Hey man, thank you so much for this. I'm a recently retired guy pushing 70 who is returning (once again) to a study of jazz vibes, a long time dream for the last 35 years. It's true, I'm jealous of the 50 year old!! But this was so encouraging and helpful.

[@oreoandoz7723]

Thank you! I started playing drums two years ago, at 56, and it seems like kids pick everything up so easily and me, not so much. Worse, I'm hearing that drums are one of the hardest instruments to master and take longer than most other instruments (because four limbs, and a kit is a collection of instruments, actually). I probably don't have time to become the drummer I'd really like to be, and I get so frustrated practicing because it takes so long to learn technique and play the pieces at speed. I really needed to hear this and to be reminded to enjoy it, and not focus on where I'm at, skill-wise. Thank you!

[@lshwadchuck5643]

Your advice is exactly right. I started learning piano at 66. I kind of wasted the first two years trying to learn on my own. I've spent five years training with a musicality coach and now I'm exploring harmonizing from lead sheets. I had to put my trust in him and work very hard all that time, enjoying the improvisation practices, gaining vocabulary, deepening and stabilizing my rhythm. As you say, the idea of 'good' keeps moving away from us. But if we weren't always working to go deeper, what would be the point?

[@tanyach2582]

"Play, practice, enjoy." thanks man🙏

[@I-t-s-Me]

Being “old” can be an advantage by having a vast catalog of musical influences to draw inspiration from for the development of a unique voice on an instrument.

[@thrivinginNL]

This is so true! I'm nearly 50, and I've been really applying myself the last couple years. I have decades of listening to a huge range of music to draw from. This has helped me immensely as I've moved into composing. On top of that, the pop music 40+ years ago was so much better than today's. Leading classics from my youth has made me a beer musician.

[@sanosukesagara9707]

​@@thrivinginNL Beer musicians are great. But Jack and Coke musicians are the best😂

[@fclefjefff4041]

@@sanosukesagara9707 You’re nowhere near as clever as you think you are

[@gakkamusic]

I started at 39 I’m 51 now and still playing and learning every day. Self taught thanks to KZbin

[@rogerjamesmusic]

I’ve been playing seriously for 52 years. Am planning to start again today.

[@mland40]

Very heavy, I've been playing BASS, for 54 years, I'm icing my wrists, and I'm going to start again, in a few days.

[@JazzgutsVGvanKampen]

I remember reading the book " Zenguitar" and exactly what you're saying here was writen in that book. Words of Wisdom, enjoy the happy struggle everyday and just pick up your instrument, tune, play and study. The answers will come automatically.

[@uhohfinellio]

I started teaching myself guitar when I was 48. 6 yrs ago. Never played an instrument in life, now I play guitar and harmonica at the same time. Being older, I did make decisions against the norm to learn the way I know my brain works. I didn't learn a song by any artist for the 1st 3 yrs. Just played simple chords to a beat. I was never wrong for 3 yrs!! That helped free me up to discover. I have a long way to go and have my idea of what is good, for me. I'm not there but will get there without doubt. It does take time. I overload my brain then take breaks to process and I get dramatically better quicker. It's like I have an exponential learning curve w age. I focused on mastering simple things before moving on, like improvising w 2 simple chords to a beat for months til I can play them any which way, style and technique. Once I get something, it ripples into so many other things. I get giddy at am still amazed by how quickly I get better and better. I do know it may not all click for me as a musician starting so late, but I've learned to love where I am. I'm already passionate about it so I don't need a push to get better, I just play 3 to 5 hours a day and have fun, experiment, and know I'll get better as fast as is possible for me.

[@supwicha1]

Boy oh boy did I need to hear that. I've been playing for 30 years only self taught. I have never been satisfied with my skills at any time in the past 30 years. I have said, "if I could play like this person, then I'd be happy". I think I'm going to have to come to terms that I won't ever really arrive at a place where I'm fully content with my skills because I likely have been pushing that target further and further out. I do need to focus on just enjoying where I'm at which is hard for me, and stop comparing myself to others I guess...

[@thatlovejones]

I didn't start playing music till I was 26 because I bought into the ideas that I had no talent and that it was too late to be musician since I didn't start in grade school. Then I just went for it and 4 years later started a 20 year career of playing and singing professionally in Hawaii. I practiced for hours every day, which is what it takes for most of us. I learned to play flute, guitar and sing at a pro level as an adult. During the pandemic I decided to learn piano, I was already in my 70's. Today I can jam, write songs and have endless fun on keyboard because I put in the hours of study and practice. I have been called one of the best musicians in my area and have had years of applause and great gigs. Glad I stopped listening to people telling me it was too late. Still studying singing and keys today at 78 and just took up the ukulele. It is never too late, you just have to work at it.

[@derminotauros]

I hear music since I can think. I start playing guitarre with 15. I play Bass in a Band since I was 21. I start making my first homerecordings with 32. I allways think, it's ok, but not realy good in a professional way. But it's mine. My own musical development. I start playing Trumpet with 55 and it was the best what could happend. Now I can play Jazz, not only listen too. I understand Jazz by hearing before. But now I have the ability to play something that sounds like Jazz by my own. And so on and on. I'm not a good Jazz Musician, but I can understand and feel the vibes better by playing it myself. It's never to late to start with something new, cause you have all your experience from the past in you. If you like music, start to play an Instrument. It's ne er to late. Love, peace and harmony Bernward

[@frankgradus9474]

as we say in jest in these parts, I have a well-developed first degree of musicality, I can tell when they are playing and when they are not

[@dikranaivazian2671]

What a great video! Thank you! I'm 53, an amateur musician who has been playing guitar since I was 10, not nearly as "good" as I want to be, and now learning piano now, too, and loving too, but not as "good" as I want to be. I love your perspective. I love learning and playing and improving. Those were some wise words, Jeff, thanks again

[@rdklarnet55]

thank You I’ve been playing clarinet a few years, and i just needed to be reminded about why i started to Play… I just got home from a ‘show’ and i feel unsatisfied with my performance, but i realize…i forgot to play, and just ‘showed’ people what i can do… thank You again.

[@jazzman_10]

54 here, started 9 years ago playing tenor. I practice 2h daily no natter what. I loved the advice of enjoying what you are doing to keep on going. There will be bad days, of course, your playing will never be perfect, it may not even be good but if you are having fun you will keep at it and will get better. I enjoy playing with other people and it made a huge step on my playing. Gigs are not mandatory but the also bring new experiences, some good some bad, it all adds up. I Play with nice guys over strictly good players, I'm to old to put up with others' egos... Play only what you like whatever it may be, have fun!

[@monteiro4100]

Self learning piano since 46, I am 48 now with around 1300 hours on the keys. I am following a very strict and well organized plan. Sometimes I feel like I haven't learned much but people who listen to my playing saying I have done tremendous progress, some don't believe I only have 2 yrs on the piano, and thisis very encouraging. Never give up

[@piktormusic2538]

Chops are good, but less important to us as we age. I can play, but I would get more satisfaction hearing someone play a piece that I wrote than I would playing someone else’s tune with flash. After I stopped playing live gigs at age 59, I moved my goal posts. I set about writing and recording. (Of course, I do not expect that more than a handful of people may hear my work.) Most of my practice now is in learning how to play challenging things that I write, since my ideas often exceed my technique. Since one cannot advance without rubbing against material that is uncomfortable, I still progress AND get to finally make real ideas that I created. Even if no one hears me, I feel that I am doing what I want to do. As a former teacher, I do have a legacy of influencing and helping hundreds of people, but the act of leaving some notes in the air before I go also makes me feel purposeful.

[@bullcrapitis]

Larry Coryell said once that he aspired to be an "eternal student" of the guitar and I have always thought that was the best attitude ever.

[@speechcoaching]

Thank you so much. I'm 56 and started in January this year to learn Vibraphon and it's great

[@patrickellinwood18]

Thanks, great discussion. I started playing guitar regularly at 63, starting with basic beginner skill. Have improved a lot but the terrain is infinite. It has also deepened my appreciation and understanding of music.

[@GaryMeadowsMusic]

I'm 68(almost) and have always played by ear,self-taught, and recently started taking guitar lessons, mostly theory and scales, and I love it and am learning. Never too old if you have the drive to get better. There's no end. You can always improve even if you're a great musician.

[@ulrichvansuntum9606]

Thank you very much for this video, there is so much truth in it! Yes, I am 70 years old and startet to play bar-piano only three years ago (after some experience in pop and dancing music), and I really enjoy every minute with my piano. If I get exhausted ore tired by any tune, I just stop or play something else. By this way, I meanwhile play regularly on the street or even in hotel bars and most people think I were a professional. I am far from that level in reality, but it makes me happy to share my music with others and at the same time constantly learn anything new.

[@marciahorton2203]

I totally agree with what and how you responded to this. I would add though that you have to be learning and practicing for yourself and not care what you think others feel about you doing this. In most cases the people around you are thinking about what they are doing not what you are. And for the people around you who say that you are wasting your time and resources doing this, how can they judge when what matters is how you feel. You are the only one that can make you happy. Do what makes you happy, life goes by very fast. Thank you for letting me air my opinion.

[@ianobrien5432]

Thanks man I really needed this video. I’m 26 and this year alone I really put in the hours ( about 2 hours a day ) in turn I feel like I’ve improved tremendously but today I was really down on myself but yesterday I told myself that I don’t need to be perfect, I just need to be able to play what’s beautiful to me. This video really solidifies that for me.

[@gib321]

I started sax age 26 and thought back then I was too old. I wish I had had a better mindset. At 62 I'm still playing and learning. You have a lifetime in front of you. Enjoy and appreciate that time.

[@AmandaSnoise]

I'm learning more than I ever thought I could from videos like yours. I love practicing and am pretty shocked at how the puzzle pieces fit together when well explained by good teachers. And reading all the comments is great to see people of all ages learning to play.

[@chriskitchen4772]

Great message ! Just enjoy the process not the destination. Need to be reminded of that truth.

[@CarringtonGuitarAcademy]

Have fun and enjoy the process is something I regularly tell my students. Of course there's some work involved in getting better, but if there's no fun involved then there really isn't much point 👌🏻

[@leepat]

"enjoy the practice of playing" - that's a motto I can stand behind :) #trusttheprocess indeed! well put and yes, we need to hear this...

[@jayumble8390]

Excellent points Jeff! And also, isn't it weird that when it comes to music, everyone thinks that they have to be famous or very successful?!? No one thinks that when they become a business person, school teacher, a doctor, college professor, artist, construction worker, etc.!!! But as soon as someone starts down the musician path, one think that they have to be (if not famous) at least well known?!? This is the crazy thing about music. But, we can actually just enjoy playing music, writing some tunes and having fun!

[@ArthurWM9]

Extremely valuable information from a very good and accomplished musician. Thanks for that, Jeff.

[@judithnery958]

Thank you for the answers. I am seventy years old and I started last year to learn piano, recorder and ballet dancing for adults at a music academy in France. It is very hard, I practiced a lot and sometimes I am frustrated because I am not able to do it all well . I put the standard high, but your advice is right on spot. I must focus on the joy of playing music and not beat myself up because I am dissatisfied with my slow progress.

[@HUGEFLYINGWHALE]

Regarding "you have to enjoy to make progress", i have a friend whos been doing concerts since age 8, a virtuoso classical pianist. By her own words, she never enjoyed any of it. It was nothing but suffering and stress, for about 12 years, leading to a 2 years depressive episode around age 20 in which she stopped playing altogether. I doubt this is rare. Many become high level professionals without a deep love for music

[@mackenzie77777]

Very interesting comment!!! Was your friend preasured into it by parents?

[@4saken404]

If your goal is to be "good" you're always going to feel unfulfilled until you get there. And that's even before considering that you will probably keep moving the goalpost. In my case (as I am old) I realized that I probably don't have the time to ever be "good". But that's not going to stop me. Because until then I'll just have fun making bad music! Because in the end making bad is better than not making art at all.

[@ChuckBe]

Very nice video -- these are the words I sometimes hear in my head that make me hate my guitar. Your video, replayed in my head, will help me remember to enjoy the process rather than anticipating a product, and suffering as a result. Thanks!

[@bbowjazz]

I’m 64 and I’ve been musical since I was five. Piano first, that didn’t take so sax in school band and finally guitar at age 12 or 13. Started classical guitar at age 30 and then took a long hiatus after a few years. Back at it again seriously for over 10 years and now deeply into repertoire, pushing technique boundaries, learning to play very relaxed, etc.. Been doing Jazz guitar seriously even longer than that. I’ve played a variety of semi-pro level rock/soul/Jazz, etc. and church gigs off and on for the past 48 years , But those are few and far between these days and I really don’t care. Have a decent knowledge of theory and intermediate level reading abilities. However, the biggest challenge is great time/rhythm and ear. Those things seem to be easier to develop when I was younger. My advice to be patient with yourself - Especially for older learners. Focus on feeling the music and simplicity - especially at first. Don’t try to develop too fast and don’t worry about playing really fast. If music ceases to be fun put it down for a while. I’m doing a small classical guitar performance tomorrow I decided to take a full day off today after 100+ straight days of disciplined practice 2 to 4 hours per day. Bottom line, it’s never too late to not only take up an instrument, but to also make incremental improvements in one’s overall musicianship! There are plenty of teachers in most locales plus online resources to help people of all levels, backgrounds, and financial means achieve fundamental musical goals.

[@kooky74]

Hello. True true true! I'm an old pianist and I started saxophone in august 2023. After playing 15 hours/week, I had my first gig. I was not a good saxophonist but I had plaisure to play the blues scales I learned. For the next year, I will work hard on 251 for the next gig. And I'm sure the year after, I will find a new goal 😂. Thx for the video ❤

[@rowegardner9673]

Beautiful video! I hope tons of people see this honestly. I really needed to hear it today. Thanks.

[@vonk5463]

Pablo Casals, one of the greatest cellist ever, in an interview when he was 90 years old, said "I think I'm starting to make progress". Good is a very subjective view.....

[@WingHouseCup]

Good thoughts and perspectives. I think every musician has wrestled with this at some point. They main thing is to have fun and to keep doing it.

[@markmarsden9459]

Brilliant answer

[@stephanvenner2939]

I'm 58 and I still have the same DiY/Punk Attitude that I had as a Teenager when I started to play Guitar.With the difference that today I have the patience and the ability to find out how to play the songs of my favourite bands.It's an endless learning process and the good thing is, the journey never ends and keeps you alive.

[@NoahHornberger]

in my experience playing to get better led to playing for the joy if it . . . of course we can always get better! but I like to think of that as the long term benefit of regular practice while thinking of the actual enjoyment of playing to be the main thing. that is how you make good music!

[@richards.2125]

Thanks for this video! As a 31 year old studying jazz guitar I sometimes need to be reminded of this. Your advice (and breakdown of the idiocy of the question in itself) is spot-on.

[@LogicEu]

Great message, loved the video, thank you Jeff, I'll keep practicing then.

[@unwrangler11]

Thanks for such a great insight into age related learning anything. You give me hope that I’m not too old and it is not too late.

[@tomtom6319]

New students should definitely listen to this it's extremely accurate.i started piano when i was 55 and went through all those emotions and What a waste of energy that was. Just play and learn more if you want but most of all ENJOY where you're at no matter the level.

[@freesk8]

I'm 61 and am having a great time learning to play guitar!

[@cindygrimsley4285]

Thanks for this video. Always loved playing music but never really played professionally. Maybe could have if I stuck with when I was younger. Decided to be a nurse instead and had a family, played in church bands, which can be kind of not so challenging but i still learned some improvisation skills.Now at 57 after loosing hearing in one ear from a tumor, I got a fire lit and having been studying blues and now a little jazz for the past year and a half. I practive 2 to 5 hours on my days off and some every day. Amazing how much progress I've made in 1 year. But discouraged because I dont have as much time left to learn. Thanks for the encouragement. The more I learn, the more I see there is to learn and get frustrated comparing myself to young professionals...

[@MaryReiber-w9t]

You’re really talented at breaking down tough ideas!

[@jayedevan567]

I picked up guitar and piano again during the pandemic @ 48 after not playing for over 35 years...I feel like I've progressed way more in the last 4 years than I did in the 6 years I played as a youth 👊🏾🎹🎸🖤

[@sweetdragon36067]

I am waiting for my first guitar to arrive. Never too late to start and enjoy music with the only regret would be to not start: if that is what you want to do. I just downloaded Guitar Pro as a short cut for learning. It has a built-in metronome and speed control to help you learn better.

[@sharingmatters]

We should all enjoy the process and appreciate the progress 🎉

[@pianofluency]

Beautifully put.

[@florianschnee6459]

Though I agree that you should never be discouraged from playing and learning music (or anything) because of your age, I'd say that the issue of learning new things in adulthood is too complicated (e.g. psychological differences between adults and children like neuroplasticity) to tell people to just play and not worry. For me, the realization that I probably won't be able to get to a level of technical proficiency and especially touch and feel on certain instruments that I didn't learn during childhood is very helpful in deciding what I want to learn and practice in the limited free time (characteristic feature of adulthood) I have. It helps me to set more realistic goals and often leads me more into playing and enjoying making music or learning new instruments rather than comparing myself to prolific musicians who picked up the instrument during childhood. So I agree that the question is problematic and it is never too late to play music and learn but it can definitely be too late to learn certain musical skills.

[@laudemgloriae3]

Great message! Well said ! Glad this showed up in my feed here ☺️👋🏻

[@Joey0367]

This is true to a point, it depends on the individual. It’s never too late to become a good musician. If your heart is in it , you’re passionate about it, and if you practice, practice practice everything is possible. With that being said the only two things that can hold you back are serious injuries, arthritis, illnesses, and poor mental state.Barring that anything is possible.

[@geraldquist2209]

Amen! Fantastic insight. I know the truth when it is spoken

[@joesauvage1165]

As alway Jeff, deepest thanks. Your videos and great course and boot camp materials have been so helpful in inspiring to enjoying the process. I’m playing here gratefully. Best wishes!

[@Chirp-zi4nx]

I love your perspective and advice!! Thank you so much for posting it : )

[@bugsunplugged]

Record yourself playing. Wait a day or so. Listen back to yourself in the recording. If you can enjoy listening to yourself like you enjoy hearing other artists - you're doing okay - no matter how old you are. Positive corollary: Instigating & following this process WILL make you a better player - no matter how old you are.

[@ultrahighgain412]

Your attitude is fantastic. I started playing guitar at age 17. I'm now 52. I spent many years playing and practicing early on, but occasionally, life got in the way. I hadn't played for a few years and was facing a tough decision whether or not to continue at all. Could I still enjoy playing music if I'd never be in a band? I made the decision to continue and started taking lessons, just to have the interaction and feedback as well as the instruction. I just want to be the best musician I can be. You have to be able to enjoy the journey for its own sake.

[@mohamedmahmoud1990]

This applies on everything in life!!! A life advice video, thanks 🙏🏻❤️

[@marcusvaldes]

I think the real truth is, if you start later in life you likely won't be a virtuoso, but I truly believe anyone can become "competent". And being just competent can be completely satisfying. I play piano, and honestly, I'm happy just learning virtuoso "riffs" just so I can hear them live and experience the resonance from MY soundboard, not a speaker system.

[@HUGEFLYINGWHALE]

It's absolutely not true that everyone can become competent I teach piano and some people learn in an hour what others learn in a year. Some people just have basic inherent problems that others just don't face, for example the inability to conceptualize an eight note or to sing a note played to them

[@sunnyjupita]

​@@HUGEFLYINGWHALE ​ Yes, but there are also people without hands who will definitely never get good at piano and there are people with hearing issues who might never be able to sing back a note accurately. The fact that "anyone" refers to everyone with typical mental and physical abilities is inferred.

[@HUGEFLYINGWHALE]

@@sunnyjupita Hmm I guess the term competent is too subjective. People who have that fantasy of playing music while completely lacking that "click" required are extremely common, unlike people with no hands

[@km4hr]

@@HUGEFLYINGWHALE Truth! People that have talent think everybody has it. The cold hard fact is they don't. Hearing this from a teacher is refreshing. Most teachers seem perfectly happy to teach anybody that's willing to pay, even though they know some students will never get past the "Easy Play" book level.

[@lastofmykind2020]

Tal Farlow picked up the guitar for the first time at age 22!

[@justinscheapguitarsandreviews]

As a bad musician, I appreciate this message.

[@DonFearn]

I’m 71. I played trumpet for many years and got to be a step or two above mediocre but it was ALWAYS fun! Now I’m taking piano lessons because I never really understood chords . . . and now I can play three of them! My fourth lesson is coming up and I can hardly wait to show my teacher what I accomplished this week. I don’t ever compare myself to other players because the only one I need to be better than is myself and each week that happens. What could be better than that?!!?

[@DonFearn]

Gotta go. I’m still not transitioning from C to G7 to F as well as I want….

[@jordanfrancisco27]

Thanks Mr. Schneider. Needed this. ✊💯🤙

[@Frownlandia]

A huge mistake is looking for "creative fulfillment" as an outcome instead of a process. I refused to have fun (and didn't develop any skills) because I thought I knew what I was supposed to get out of this. But that's something you can let go of.

[@manoukian5906]

Thanks for this post Jeff! It really was helpful… wise, sincere advice as usual. I’m turning 56 in a few days so this was perfect.

[@JavierRodriguez-zq7yt]

Thank you Jeff you got the point!

[@michaeldean9338]

ALWAYS inspirational. Thanks again, Jeff.

[@JosephCompton66]

Man, I keep getting better all the time. It is a journey brother.

[@avzalismail2075]

It's NEVER too late. At 62 I started learning Debussy, Grieg and The Rachmaninoff 2nd piano concerto which I will be performing soon. The fact that I've been a self taught pianist for 55 years and a professional performing jazz pianist for 30 years has obviously helped. I thought I'd never get into classical piano, but here we are.

[@jhwk1970]

I’m 76 and started in second grade. I practice every morning and I am in an old guy Friday afternoon band. My only problem is there is SO much yet to learn. But I’m working at it.

[@wbaker6037]

So much for getting to the point...

[@edburgess2550]

Great video, good being a moving target is a very helpful perspective

[@2000HoursofBanjo]

I picked up the banjo at 48. Never picked up an instrument before that. I’m turning 50 in a few months. My instructor tells me he is a bit jealous that I get to discover, enjoy and appreciate learning to play at this age (he’s my age, but he learned to play at age 7). I don’t know if I will ever get “good”, but I can’t seem to put the banjo down when I pick it up every day.

[@markoconnor8002]

The one thing that holds back late starters is their inability to audiate both in rhythm and pitch. Most teachers learned this in childhood so they don't understand the problem. There is an answer and that is to learn solfege both in pitch and rhythm. see the method of Dr. Gordon for example. Gordon suggests that "audiation is to music what thought is to language". His research is based on similarities between how individuals learn a language and how they learn to make and understand music.

[@jimicunningable]

solfege is more ritual than use - many more musical, less arcane ways to do it. It's a mere elective at Berkely now. No. Dinosaur pedagogy.

[@stratum42]

I'll be 50 soon. I've played music off and on since I was 12. Note: Off and on. I experimented with 14 different instruments but I really wanted to be good at piano and guitar. I spent a couple of years getting good enough to play in a bar band then plateaud. I stayed at that skill for 30 years. I started dedicating more to guitar, bass, piano and drums the past few years, and despite my age I've made more progress on 3 years than I did in 30. I learn better, have better discipline, and retain song information better than I ever did. Don't let your age stop you from doing what you love if it's physically possible to do.

[@andreipetrov4850]

Thank you for good and meaningful message! Much appreciated.

[@m.alcholish9401]

At 53 that i finally understand tempo/timing, know how to play 4/4 or 6/8, and know how to play chord progression 1,6,4,5 😅 I dont feel too late and feel so so happy😅❤

[@marcosaccone4612]

I'm really mad at you, because you're so dam right it hurts. Thanks for this video, from the deepest of my soul, I needed to hear this. You have a new follower :)

[@thiagoalexandrino]

Great video, not only for playing guitar… cheers!

[@thegreyghost2789]

Thank you I needed that.

[@Ivan.Nikolic]

Practice & learn new things = progress :)

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

All the great musicians were about as good they they ever got by the age of 18. Not many get a lot better after that. Now, with you tube,we can see little kids playing van halen. Its all luck. Motzart was writing symphonies at 5. Its a gift. Its just givin to them.

[@sduke39]

I started guitar lessons at 59. I had been a pretty good drummer in my youth. I took lessons until I was 64 and finally gave up. I practiced every day for at least an hour a day. Some days I had more time to practice. I struggled with improving even after a couple of years of dedicated work. I never managed to learn a single song from beginning to end at full speed. Apparently I just don't have the ability to play the guitar. When Covid hit my lessons were cancelled and it was somewhat of a relief. I'm probably the outlier here, but it was too late for me.

[@KaninTuzi]

I think the main thing is that there are so many ways to be "good" at music. There's a real case to be made that becoming a technical virtuoso if you start late in life may be difficult. But most of the music we love is not about that and most musicians we love never became technical virtuosos either. They focused on style, vibe, texture, soul, etc. There's a pretty small set of basic skills and knowledge you need to play like 90% of popular music. And you can pick up most of that in a year or two. The rest is about the process ✌

[@tonyhddodge4282]

I think about this every day. In1992 I came across a phenomenal saxophonist who was willing to teach me how to play the saxophone for $1.00 a lesson. Together we went to a pawn shop to purchase a horn for me to learn on. Approximately 6 months into it, he passed away, and the horn was stored in my closet till March 2023. I ran into a guy that was into playing the sax and I mentioned to him that I had a horn and if he wanted it he could have it. He took me up on it and the next day, when I gave him the horn, he pulled it out of the case (For 31 years the horn had not seen the light of day) and started to jam on it, and it sounded so good that I wanted to ask for it back, but I couldn't. One week later, I purchased another horn (I'm now 63) and started teaching myself how to play from KZbin videos. For whatever reason, I have developed an appreciation and passion for music that I never had before. Sorry for the long story. The thing is, even though I practice every day and am more determined than ever, I think about the number of years it will likely take me to play at a level that I would like to play at.

[@zzxmookysxzz4103]

Never too late PERIOD!!!!

[@creamwobbly]

I'm in my mid-fifties. I'm not _jealous_ of those younger than me. I'm pumped for them! I think it's awesome that yous kids can start now and be an amazing musician before you reach my age! If you stick at it :-) Study, train, and _make it your practice,_ because that's what ‘practice makes perfect’ really means.