24

[alonwolman]

Is 24 too old?

I tried to learn to play music several times through my life, first violen in 4th grade, then guitar in 8th, and piano in 10th, and then saxophone in 11th. Saxophone stuck with me and I've been playing it since. But practicing and learning has always been a problem for me, due to difficulties concentrating. Only now, at 24, am I mature enough to handle the discipline of intensive practice routines, and even now, I often spread my practicing out throughout the day into segments of 15-30 minutes. This helps me stay interested and concentrate fully.

I am noticing that some of my peers are (way) ahead of me and it can be discouraging at times. But for me, I think growing out of my somewhat turbulent adolescent and teenage years has been a blessing for me in terms of my concentration and discipline.

Alon

[Gandalfe]

A good instructor could make all the difference. Then again, a play buddy might provide you interesting insights into the art of incredable sound with overtones and reverb. There are some basic truths out there that might be overlooked in reading but when demonstrated to you by a buddy will make a big impact.

Long tones, air from the diaphram, intonation practice alone could improve your practice time. Then when you are playing against a Desmond CD and you *get* it,... well life is swell. And, oh by the way, your normal 20 minutes of playing just turned out to take over an hour.

I gotta go--it's time to practice.

[hannibal]

I have a similar background, in that I played when I was a kid and quit during the teenage/college years. Picked up my horn again at 23 and never looked back (I turn 32 next week).

Practice is weird and kind of paradoxical- when I first started, I had a hard time practicing more than 30-60 minutes a day. Now, I could easily spend all day practicing altissimo or funky chords etc. It's like the more you practice, the more you discover to practice. Music is beautiful like that.

One of the things I used to do was play along to the radio or whatever (classic rock in my case). Jazz was just way too hard and demotivated me. As I slowly got better at playing by ear, my tone improved, and so did my confidence, and I finally reached a stage where playing along to Steppenwolf was fairly boring, so I learned my jazz scales.

[JL]

The simple answer is NO you're not too old. 24 is still young. And by the way, what is the alternative? You can't turn the clock back!

[mark_m]

You could wait 'til you're 80 and still might not be too old, but you have only this chance to start when you're 24. Go for it, else you might find yourself asking "Is 34 too old" and "is 44 too old"?

Strike whilst the iron's hot, and all that.

[Sigmund451]

You have to be kidding....perhaps you could be banned from the board by calling 24 old....what the heck does that make the rest of us :shock:

I played musical instruments since I was 6 but never touched a saxophone until I was 39. No such thing as too old as long as you can hold the sax and breathe.

Get a sax, get a teacher, get going.

.....and please dont refer to 24 as old anymore


Have fun.

[Bill Mecca]

I took about 3 clarinet lessons in 5th grade, got pnuemonia, never touched an instrument again.

Until I was 27 that is. I took about a year's worth of lessons on alto, changed jobs, moved, divorced, bought a tenor, took some more lessons and am still playing today at 44.

I think a more mature mind can be more focused, but also with maturity comes other responsiblities which will cut into your available practice/study time.

I'm doing what I want, playing in a rock and roll band, having fun, but as far as music theory etc I am way behind a lot of much younger players.

you're never too old for music, although trying to make a career out of it at a more mature age does have it's disadvantages, but if you play for your own enjoyment the sky's the limit.

just stick it in yer face and blow! ;-)

[MS]

Some things definitely get better with age. The ability to focus, physical co-ordination, time organization, and mobility for networking with other knowledgable musicians.
I would definitely suggest lessons with a teacher who you click in with in terms of knowledge and personality. Lot of information available on internet, books, DVD's. Your interest, creativity, dicipline, and willingness to work is the limiting factor. Go for it.

[jazzbluescat]

Is 24 too old?

Heck no.

People have started on new careers at a darn sight older than 24.

[Jon B. Bop]

I've got pants that are older than you!!! :roll:

[alonwolman]

Thank you all for the encouraging responses. I do like to think it of a kind of 'rebirth' for me, especially with getting a new Buescher tenor to make things easier, these last few months have been an absolute joy and I've progressed with my reading skills much faster than I ever expected. Like I said before I practice in increments, sometimes for an hour, sometimes for fifteen minutes, and every day.

In the end I suppose it's more a matter of the total amount of energy inputed, and not necessarily a matter of having started at 5 or whatever. Sure, if we really get into it at that age it is better.

[alonwolman]

Oops, that's a new vintage Buescher.

[ajcurtis]

I am intrigued that someone of your age alonwoman, think she belongs in the old farts section :? Hope you have many happy hours with the Buescher.
ajc

[johnsax]

JL has put it best:

And by the way, what is the alternative?

This is really the key point. Suppose by some twisted logic you conclude that you are too old to take up the sax. In 40 years, where will you be? Still pondering whether you're too old to play sax?

The ONLY question you should be asking is that: Will I enjoy taking up the saxophone again? If the answer is yes, then all the introspection in the world is meaningless. Your direction is clear.

I've been playing alto for all of one year having started at age 45. I will never be a Johnny Hodges or a Paul Desmond but I enjoy playing just the same.

And I never ask if I'm too old to play!

John

[TerraNova]

Give it a go!!!!!
You're never too OLD to learn anything!!

You're only as old as you feel... And to me, (a chirpy 20 yr old) life is just beginning!!

To all you "late bloomers", you guys rock! Not afraid to try something new... And thats the way it should be for every age, whether you're 5 years old or 100! To me, you're only starting to get old once you've hit 3 digits...


(no I'm not trying to suck up... that is my genuine feeling)

[Troy]

You can start anytime. Practice faithfully every day...even if just for a few minutes. In 10 years, you'll have been playing for...well...ten years. Reread the stuff above. :)

[colibri]

You can learn to play a saxophone from age 5 to 105.

However, if you're thinking of playing professionally, then perhaps it's a tad too late. Many guys around your age who want to become working pros (if they are not already) have phenomenal technique and are mentally prepared to go on the road.

[BruceW]

One of the best advertisments I've seen...ever...was a print ad from Yamaha.

It had a picture of an unattended grand piano, closed, with the caption:

"I never learned how to play piano because it takes 10 years to learn. Ironically, I said that 10 years ago."

I think this is a great way to look on most things in life.