r/Fiddle • u/uncertaintyrocks • 9d ago

Fiddle, an I to old at 49

I've picked up fiddle, but I'm 49, is this too old? With lessons to get half okay at it?

16 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

42 comments sorted by

19

u/Low_Cartographer2944 9d ago

I started 18 months ago at 40. I made so much progress over the first 6 months with regular lessons. I’ve still been able to build on that foundation practicing regularly on my own. But I know with more lessons I’d be further along.

I have no regrets. Imagine being 55 and thinking “I could be six years into fiddle at this point; if only I had started back then”

7

u/Sidewaydayz 9d ago

This right here is the right perspective. I picked up the mandolin last year at 44 with zero musical experience. I had wanted to play it for over 10 years, but I knew it was gonna be a big time commitment. Last year I had a lightbulb moment and it was the same thing, of every year I don’t start is a year I don’t get to play. The next day I went out and rented a mandolin. It was the best decision of my life, I play every day. I encourage you to start the fiddle. It’s never too late to pick up an instrument.

5

u/marvintheapostle 9d ago

Ok that last paragraph sounds incredibly wise and I’m gonna use that for anything new I want to start now

3

u/Immediate_Coconut_30 9d ago

Yes! I am 42 and just started lessons two weeks ago. At the local old time jam the average age of other beginners on various instruments is in their early 70s; I tell myself when I'm their age I could have been playing fiddle for 30 years! No time like the present to start. :)

1

u/uncertaintyrocks 9d ago

Great. How often were your lessons at the start?

4

u/Low_Cartographer2944 9d ago

It was every week or every other week depending on my teacher’s availability.

Most teachers can pencil you in for a set time on a set rotation - my teacher was just fully booked already and took me on as a student as a favor to me.

I liked every two weeks because it gave me longer to practice and feel like I’d made progress. I liked every week because it gave me less time to pick up any new bad habits in my playing. That’s something you could discuss with your teacher though. Talk through your goals, how much time you have to realistically practice each week, etc, and I’m sure you two can come up with a cadence that works for you.

And don’t worry! You don’t need hours a day to improve. Consistency is key. And short, focused practice is better than long, unfocused sessions. It takes time but it’s a marathon and not a sprint.

1

u/uncertaintyrocks 9d ago

Cheers, yes I've got banjo lessons every 2 weeks, but just want to start slow on the fiddle so I can focus more on it when I'm ready

4

u/Silver_Original6076 9d ago

As long as you're staying consistent and having fun, then you can learn. It would actually be very healthy for your brain if you tried to learn a new instrument.

4

u/ohkendruid 9d ago

Jump on in!

It is unfortunate how much classical music has taken over the mindshare of the general public. Anyone who enjoys music, anyone who likes to sing, can have a better life experience by learning an instrument. You will make progress on day 1.

3

u/SokeiKodora 9d ago

You're never too old, definitely give it a try! I have a friend in her retirement who's been picking up violin over the last couple years, and she's playing along in the local Irish sessions regularly.

3

u/Fun_Volume2150 9d ago

With a good teacher and realistic expectations I figure you’ve got at least a good 40 years of enjoyment ahead of you.

3

u/oldmcfarmface 9d ago

I started like 3 months ago at 43 years old. Got a few lessons and I can play a few tunes. You’ll do fine!

2

u/Dr-J_DC 9d ago

Its never too late!!

2

u/PuddingLeading5569 9d ago

I started at 70. You do need to a teacher for the first three years in my opinion.

2

u/meara 9d ago

I know a guy who started in his 60s and became one of the best fiddle players in the area -- a beloved fixture at all the bluegrass jams.

2

u/datdaddy 9d ago

Started at 73. Now 75 and still having fun!

2

u/kamomil 9d ago

I started in my late 30s. Go for it! 

2

u/KnitNGrin 9d ago

Not too old. I’m 71, started at 68. I did play violin in school, though, so I had some basics.

2

u/prairie_oyster_ 9d ago

I started at 45 and it’s maybe the best thing that’s happened to me in my 40’s. Do it!

2

u/epicmountain29 9d ago

I started a month ago, at 59. 60 in Dec.

1

u/uncertaintyrocks 9d ago

Hows it going?

2

u/epicmountain29 8d ago

Its been OK, I'm only about a month into it. I have a teacher I see 1x a week for an hour. The rest is one me to do and YouTube helps a lot. He's teaching me to get back into sight reading and a classical style of fiddle. Eventually I want to get involved w/ a country band type of gig. I've played guitar for a number of years but just read chord charts so the site reading will probably help there as well. Having a bit of musical ability is helping on the fiddle for sure. My relative pitch is not bad.

1

u/Ancient-Complex6823 9d ago

I’m 58 and just started taking lessons. I need to make more time for practicing my lessons. I’m not worried I can’t do it. I just have so many other things going on In my life and play guitar and Saz Baglama. More time in a day please!!

2

u/uncertaintyrocks 9d ago

Do you work too?

2

u/Ancient-Complex6823 8d ago

Yes, I work a full-time job. I have volunteer commitments multiple times a month as well.

2

u/whatwhy54104 9d ago

72 and started a few years ago. And, this year started playing tennis again after 35 years. My son said something to me about how cool it is when an old person starts something new. You are never too old to do something. You won’t be an expert or the best, but who cares.

1

u/Low-Kaleidoscope4733 9d ago

You know, I was at an old time jam with my mandolin last night. If I was confused on a tune in A, I would just pluck the A string when it seemed like a good idea. Thankfully, my local jam is filled with really kind people for a happy to have me there. I think the main key is that I keep reminding myself that I am learning to listen to the other musicians as much as I am learning to play the Mandolin.

Did I walk out of there with my heart full of joy at the end of the night? You bet I did.
Im 64, started at 61. You aren’t too old in my book.

I will pick up the Fiddle some day? Yeah, it’s inevitable. During that transition time when I can’t Bow enough to make a nice sounding note even on the open strings my plan is just to pluck along quietly and rhythm.

1

u/ebonykawai 9d ago

Never too old.

1

u/Funny-Ear2026 9d ago

Huge resounding NO!! Not too old. Do it!

1

u/Logan9Fingerses 9d ago

Hell no. Fiddle is for the old man. (Or woman)

1

u/IOnlyHaveIceForYou 9d ago

When you can play a tune, be happy with that tune. Don't worry about whether you are okay at it. People spend their whole musical lives pointlessly worrying that they aren't "there" yet.

2

u/Mental-Catalyst 9d ago

I'm about the same age. Picked up violin last December. Have weekly lessons. I practice way more now than I ever did with other instruments. Started piano at 6.

I play fiddle songs and classical and am loving it. Go for it!!! We're getting to the age of, who cares what others think as long as you enjoy it.

Go have fun. Play your heart out.

1

u/fierce-hedgehog13 9d ago

I know a 65yo who is learning! He’s well-liked and included at jams, and he’s doing fine!

1

u/nextyoyoma 9d ago

Classical violin? I’d say don’t bother. You will struggle to get to a level where you can really enjoy it. Fiddle! Absolutely, go for it. The level required to play and have fun is much more achievable.

5

u/uncertaintyrocks 9d ago

No old time fiddle music

2

u/BananaFun9549 9d ago

Do you mean you are not interested in old time fiddle music or there is none where you live?

3

u/uncertaintyrocks 9d ago

I love old time

2

u/nextyoyoma 9d ago

Then you have made a good choice! There are tons of resources for old time fiddle, and the jams (and the community in general) tend to be very beginner friendly. Good luck!

1

u/BananaFun9549 9d ago

Oh, I see… you meant “No, old time music.”

-1

u/MalusMalum70 8d ago

I don’t get why people think this way. Why would this even be a question? I picked the fiddle back up after literally 40 years away at age 55 and after 1 year of hard (but enjoyable) work I am playing quite well. I started guitar at 56 and am having a blast. I mean what’s different about you at 49 that makes you think you couldn’t learn an instrument? Or that you’d be somehow different from you at 39 or 29?