by Gerry Baird

Created on: January 07, 2009

When I started playing the piano at the age of 26, a well-meaning friend who had taken music lessons from the tender age of 3 told me, "You'll always play piano with an accent." That was five years ago. I have since developed my piano skills and am now composing my own works for a solo piano album. I have played for family, church and singing groups. I have also learned to play the guitar, bass, and drums and am taking voice lessons. I don't consider myself a musical genius by any stretch of the imagination, but I don't think I "play with an accent" either. Music is a skill, and anyone willing to invest the time and effort required to gain that skill can become a musician at any age. Here are a few tips for the adventurous adult who wants to learn to play an instrument:

1. Find a good teacher
When I started to play the piano, I almost had myself convinced that I didn't need a teacher at all. Fortunately, my 7-year-old daughter started taking piano lessons at about this time, and when I saw how well she was playing after only a few lessons I asked her teacher if she would teach me as well. My playing dramatically improved when I started taking lessons, and I would not be the musician I am today without the foundation my teacher helped me to build. I have since learned other instruments on my own, but I think it is especially important for someone with a limited musical background to be guided by an experienced teacher when learning a first instrument.

Even for an adult, learning to play a new instrument can feel a little like going back to school. So when selecting a teacher, it's important to look for someone who cares about your goals and can help you achieve them without being condescending or critical when you make mistakes. As an adult music student, I consider myself a paying customer and am not afraid to speak up or find a different teacher if my needs aren't being met.

2. Make time
Most adults have many responsibilities, but they make time for things that really matter to them. When an adult says, "I don't really have time to learn an instrument," he or she is usually saying, "I don't consider music important enough and have chosen to do other things with my time." As an adult music student, you may not be able to practice every single day. But if music matters to you, then you'll make time for it.

2. Play music you love
It's okay to start out with a simple book that teaches the basics of note reading, but you should start playing songs you love as soon as

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