learn a new instrument. Not learn it in-depth, just good enough to dub in a short passage and make it sound 'professional'. I tried it once with guitar, even bought a medium priced pro guitar rig. Didn't take me long to figure out that I was never going to even get to first base on guitar, even if I lived a thousand years. I honestly believe some people are just more connected to one instrument than another. I can muddle through on trumpet (my first instrument) and sax as they don't seem nearly so foreign to me as guitar. When I see people like Cory, I'm just amazed.

I've decided, as my next challenge, to see if I can learn to play drums at a level good enough to lay down a basic pattern. I am not very hopeful as I look at the example of my wife, who learned to ride a bicycle as an adult and whose biking skills are totally eclipsed by my 6 yr. old grandson. I'll spend a few bucks on a teacher and stay with it until I see a look of total disgust on his face. Thinking about it, I don't know of any competent pianist that started as an adult, especially an older adult. How about any of you? Another thing. I've noticed a decline in the accuracy of my rhythm as I've aged (Gary (Travelin Easy) pointed this out a couple of years ago and it stuck with me and made me more aware of rhythmic goofs). Is this a totally unrealistic venture?

chas

You should be able to pick up drums pretty easily. You have to basically tap the right foot on the bass drum in time. The left foot hit the hh on the off beat. The right hand is on the ride cymbal and the left hand is accenting on snare. I picked it up on about a couple of months. Of course I was 18 at the time.
I suspect you main problem will be developing stamina. Last time I sat down at the drums, my right leg started cramping after about five minutes.
I have ordered a digital trumpet from Japan. It works pretty much like a real trumpet except you don't have to have the lip. Just blow into it.
My friend Dean Mathis learned to play Steel Guitar at the age of 68. He has become pretty proficient after a couple of years. He already played piano, guitar and fiddle though, all at a professional level.
DonM

Chas.., playing drums really isn't as hard as you may think If you can play keys along with backing tracks using either an arranger or workstation.., well you're already moving in the right direction.

It's all in cordination Peronally I've always thought drumming came easier to keyboard players.

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 10-03-2009).]

Go for it if you have time to burn and a desire to accomplish another goal.

For me, I have my hands full mastering my main instrument

Good luck Chas.

Learning another instrument will actually help you with mastering your main instrument too. Whatever your goal with it, enjoy the journey along the way. Enjoy! - Scott

Thanks guys, useful stuff. BTW, Donny's link had some really good and useful tips in it, even some beginner lessons. I plan to run out and get a pair of sticks to practice with while I'm waiting for my Alesis DM-10 kit. It'll give me something to do while I'm recoup'ing.

chas

Bottom line is to consider, as a kid, how long do you think it takes before competency is achieved? Be honest... probably at least a year or two before you'd want to sit on a gig with a kid, at LEAST.

So, be fair to yourself, and try to give yourself AT LEAST the same amount of time before you give up. We don't learn as fast as kids do, but somehow expect that something that takes a kid a couple of years to get close is going to take US only a few weeks or months, tops...

Patience more than skill is the trick, at first.

Chas, you'll "knock it out of the park". I didn't start playing keys until I was 30, when my long-time B-3 playing partner retired.

At 42, I started really "woodsheddin" on vibes. Not as much of a learning curve and not very productive in terms of generating jobs, but SO MUCH FUN!

I've still got my Slingerland trap from the early 60's, and tons of percussion stuff.


You'll have a BALL, and from your timing on Masquerade, you've got the natural chops many just don't have.

"Just Beat It"!
(So sorry for that one)


Russ (Bang-Bang)Lay


[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 10-05-2009).]

I'm planning on learning pedal steel guitar next year. Something I've wanted to do for a long time... love that sound and you can't quite get it on KB.

Glenn