Dispelling the myth: “I’m too old to learn to play an instrument.”
BLOG SPOILER ALERT: NOBODY IS TOO OLD TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW.
I can’t tell you how many times I have had this conversation (but it has been many times):
New Acquaintance: “Wow, you play violin!? That’s so cool. I have always wanted to learn to play.”
Me: “Well, it’s never too late! You can do it. Just sign up with a teacher!”
New Acquaintance: “Oh, no. I couldn’t do that. I’m too old.”
You are never too old to learn something new…
George W. Bush didn’t become a painter until age 63--after he left The White House. He has since published two books of his paintings. The former president’s painting instructor said about him that he isn’t her most gifted student, but he is her most patient student.
Betty White didn't become an icon until she joined the cast of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in 1973 at age 51. She is still active in the entertainment industry at 99 years old.
Fashion designer Vera Wang didn't design her first dress until she was 40.
Henry Ford was 45 when he created the revolutionary Model T car in 1908.
Stan Lee created his first hit comic, "The Fantastic Four," just shy of his 39th birthday in 1961.
Donald Fisher was 40 and had no experience in retail when he and his wife, Doris, opened the first Gap store in San Francisco in 1969.
Samuel L. Jackson has been a Hollywood staple for years now, but he'd had only bit parts before landing an award-winning role at age 43 in Spike Lee's film "Jungle Fever" in 1991.
Sam Walton had a fairly successful retail-management career in his 20s and 30s, but his path to astronomical success began at age 44, when he founded the first Wal-Mart.
Laura Ingalls Wilder published the first in the "Little House" books at age 65 in 1932. They soon became children's literary classics and the basis for the TV show "Little House on the Prairie."
Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, began her prolific painting career at age 78. In 2006, one of her paintings sold for $1.2 million.
So, while you may never become famous or rich from playing your instrument it can still bring you much enjoyment challenging yourself and making music by yourself (or with others). Recently retired? Great, now’s the perfect time to learn something new. Long time retiree? Even better. Working from home? Spend one hour of your day learning to do something creative for yourself. I would be honored if you considered allowing Virtual Orchestra School to guide you on a music making journey of your own.
Visit www.virtualorchestraschool.com for more information.
Facebook and Instagram: @virtualorchestraschool
Email: virtualorchestraschool@gmail.com
