They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, however there are some things adults can actually do better than the kids. And contrary to popular belief, learning to play a musical instrument is in fact one of them!
We caught up with Valeri Mirchev, teacher and founder of the Amadeus Music Institute to help dispel some of the most persistent inaccuracies concerning adult aptitude and got right to the nitty-gritty of learning for those well past the age of prodigy potential. Valeri strongly believes you’re never too long in the tooth to enjoy the fruits of some tuneful labour and, in fact, there is strong evidence to say adults have several significant advantages over those nimble minded nippers that debunk the most popular music learning myths.
So if you fancy strumming a guitar or wacking the life out of a set of drums in your spare time, follow our guide. Who knows, you could be the next Eric Clapton…
Myth No.1
Learning as an adult is boring
Nonsense, maintains Valeri. As adults we’re more likely to be learning of our own volition and therefore more likely to practise at home and be receptive in class. If tackling a new instrument sounds like a lot of hard work after a full day at the office, think again. Valeri tells us that music actually gives learners a means of escape from their normal daily lives – a chance to become someone different for an hour or two.
Myth No.2
Adults are slower to progress because their brains are already fully developed
Music is basically just another language or mathematical system and since adults can already read, they are experienced problem solvers and can draw on experiences in their past to build a bigger and more accurate picture of that new system. And let’s face it, all the complexities of its theories, skill sets and those infernal little dots and squiggles are so much easier to fathom as an adult. In addition, adult attention spans are better developed and they can focus for long periods of time. Much of music learning is the downright hard graft of practise (sorry it’s true, if you want to be a rock-star, you’ll have to practise!)
Myth No.3
Kids are more expressive
Not so. Ever noticed how many songs are about love, loss, heartbreak and joy? Adults can feel and express these emotions more eloquently through music because they have experienced them.
Myth No.4
Adult brains can’t adapt
Studies have shown that people who regularly play music, whatever their age and whatever the instrument, have larger brain volumes in the motor and auditory regions. In addition, both music and language learning employ timing and pitch to convey information, making the musically literate more successful at picking up foreign languages. So playing an instrument is relaxing and great for brain power!
Where to take lessons
Amadeus Music Institute
Individual and group lessons are available for piano, keyboard, acoustic and rock guitars, saxophone, flute and voice training. Classes cost Dhs90 for 30 minutes and Dhs160 per hour. Flexi-times available between 9am and 9pm.
1st Floor Hamdan Centre, Hamdan Street. info@amadeusmusicinst.com (050 415 6934).
The Young Musician Music Institute
Although the name suggests adults are not catered for, this school in fact offers group and individual music lessons for all instruments as well as singing, covering styles from contemporary, classical, jazz, pop, blues and rock.
www.tymmi.com
Modern Art Music Institute
Teaching kids and adults strings, percussion, woodwind and brass instruments including music theory and singing (02 673 8380).
Elite Music Institute
Directed by the talented pianist Marina Zamfir, Elite Music Institute provides professional hands-on education in piano, guitar and violin (02 445 4909).
International Music Institute
Offering tuition in guitar, piano and drums (02 621 1949).
It’s never too late to learn…
• Piano player and greatest Chopin interpreter of his time, Arthur Rubinstein didn’t start until his mid-twenties.
• Frank Zappa was 19 before he began a musical journey which saw him become a composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, recording engineer and record producer.
• Eric Clapton first picked up a guitar at age 17.
• Michael Garrick the jazz composer, poet and musical extraordinaire only studied music in his late-thirties.
• Andrea Bocelli was a qualified lawyer before becoming a professional singer only in his thirties.
