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

Wise words from an old song:

Nothing's impossible I have found,
For when my chin is on the ground,
I pick myself up,
Dust myself off,
Start all over again.

Don't lose your confidence if you slip,
Be grateful for a pleasant trip,
And pick yourself up,
Dust yourself off,
Start all over again.

Will you remember the famous men,
Who had to fall to rise again?
So take a deep breath,
Pick yourself up,
Dust yourself off,
Start all over again.

All power to you guys! I'm still on my personal quest with those Steely Dan structures. Having fun, too!

Diana Krall - Pick Yourself Up

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

I want to be Elvis Costello...

Actually, I wanted to be him before they hooked up, but now, that just clinches it for me!

AGREE, AGREE, Diki!

And, she can sing and play!


R.

Saw her in concert ... row 14 Center ... WOW ... I don't know what elvis did but he is one LUCKY man ...

t.

Saw her in concert ... row 14 Center ... WOW ... I don't know what elvis did but he is one LUCKY man ...

t.

"Now, back to our subject ..."
chas ... people often say to me "I wish I had learned to play an instrument" .. my response is "If you start today, in 5 years, you will be playing for 5 years ... if you don't start today, in 5 years you will be saying "I wish I had learned to play an instrument" ... GO FOR IT !!! ...
t.

Chas, all good advice so far (motivational wise) if you WANT to do it, go for it for your own use AND pleasure. If you feel an affinity with the drums (as you said) then you WILL find it easier to succeed.

However:

Speaking as someone who's first instrument was Drums & Percussion since I was maybe 7 or 8 (I too, picked up keyboards "late" in life) I think you should look at what LEVEL of playing you want to achieve. You say enough to hold a basic beat, but even then, there's holding a basic beat, and REALLY holding a basic beat.

I must admit it kind of burns me (still) when people say it's easy to play drums. It is - but it's harder TO PLAY THEM WELL.
There's MUCH more to it than non-drummers realise.

(Still, just be aware of that, and go for it!!! )

You're right, Hellboy. I have no illusions about becoming even a 'barely proficient' drummer. It's just flat-out too late for that. But I couldn't bear to have that cute looking kit (DM-10) just sitting there staring at me, waiting for my drummer to come over and bring it to life, without giving it a try. And the only way to give it a proper try is to take a few lessons. Besides, if I want to try to put down a live drum track myself, I could always do it one drum at a time, but hopefully with more dynamics and 'feel' than could be achieved with a keyboard. Hey, I just want to be 'cool' like this drummer from the '70's (with Bill Withers). Check it out @ 0:56. Nothing exciting, no great chops or anything, just a rock-solid, 'in-the-pocket, groove (gotta' love his outfit, too ).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3hBYTkI-sE

chas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfGd53pmiZs

nuff said my man buddy!!

Too old is when your DEAD!!

Buddy was certainly one of the great ones, alright. I'm assuming you're trying to show what can be done at age 61 (as opposed to showing how much better Buddy is than the unknown studio hack in MY link). Yes, Buddy really was remarkable. However, Buddy didn't start playing drums when he was 60 . It really does help to start a little earlier . You won't see any 60 yr. old fighter pilots either, but Henry Haigh won the World Aerobatic championship when he was 69. Legendary pilot Bob Hoover was still flying airshows into his 70's. Horowitz was still playing concerts into his 80's. None of them STARTED in their 60's or 70's. Grandma Moses may be the only one. I don't want to be a Buddy Rich at this stage of my life. I'll be happy just to remember where I left the sticks .

chas

Use Buddy as inspiration.........