| > | | | | forcing a child to do anything, including learning a |
| The best time to start learning a musical instrument is | | | | musical instrument, is a futile venture that can build a |
| when you have an overwhelming desire to do so. It | | | | great resentment in future years. Furthermore, a child |
| matters not Whether you have tried before and failed; | | | | could view the enforced sessions as a punishment |
| whether you are young or old; what season it is; or | | | | and lose enjoyment of music as a result - not the |
| where in the world you might happen to be. | | | | wanted outcome at all. |
| There is only one pre-requisite: A love of music. | | | | Others may claim to be past the time of learning and |
| There is no denying that learning to play a musical | | | | quote old cliches such as; "you can't teach an old dog |
| instrument takes a lot of hard work. The mantra is | | | | new tricks". This is of course nonsense - learning in |
| "practice, practice, practice!" and there are no | | | | whatever form, whether it is academic or for pleasure, |
| shortcuts, regardless of what some of the 'miracle | | | | is a lifetime pursuit and age has nothing whatsoever to |
| teaching methods' might have us believe in their | | | | do with it. |
| advertising. But with time the hard work and practice | | | | So the best time to learn is neither in the spring, |
| become pleasurable as we discover the joy of | | | | summer, autumn or winter of a person's life; but when |
| commanding an instrument to make those first musical | | | | there is a curiosity and a willingness to experiment with |
| sounds. Gradually, as more and more competence | | | | the sounds a musical instrument can make. But above |
| with an instrument is developed a fulfillment and | | | | all; when a person is absolutely determined and willing |
| enjoyment like no other is experienced - great | | | | and can enjoy working hard for the thrill of being able |
| rewards indeed for the time and effort expended! | | | | to play. |
| Some would argue that the best time to learn is when | | | | In short; you can become a musician at any time if you |
| one is young; after all a child learns more quickly. That | | | | truly believe you can. |
| might be true, but nothing is more certain than that | | | | |