Have you ever wanted to learn a musical instrument but worried about picking it up in adulthood? The good news is it’s never too late! Whether you’re in your 20s or your 70s, learning an instrument is a great way to keep your mind active and have some fun at the same time. 

Image source: The Vault

Here are five helpful tips for learning a musical instrument as an adult. 

Choose the right instrument for you. The right instrument will be something that you enjoy the sound of and ideally, something that suits your lifestyle. For example, if you’ve never played an instrument before or you don’t have a lot of spare time to dedicate to learning, you might want to start with something easy like the ukelele or harmonica.

Practise in short, regular bursts. Consistently practising for just 15-30 minutes a day will yield much better results than practising for hours on end at random intervals. Find a time of day that makes sense for you and set up a regular practice schedule to help keep you on track. 

Image source: Lessonface

Take lessons. One of the most effective ways to learn a new skill is to have somebody teach you. If you’re able to, we recommend taking a few in-person lessons with a music tutor. If in-person lessons aren’t feasible for you, there are some great, affordable online classes on websites like Skillshare – or you can watch tutorials on YouTube for free!

Set achievable goals. Setting realistic goals will help you stay motivated and keep track of your progress. Some goals for starting out could be as simple as memorising note or chord names, practising every day for a week, or learning a particular song.

Play with friends. If you’re finding it hard to commit to practising by yourself, why not turn your new hobby into a social activity! Try taking a group lesson with some friends or catching up for an informal jam session. Attending a group music class is also a great way to make new friends.