Maybe you have always heard the beautiful soothing sounds from a flute.  Or have a child who wants to learn.  Or maybe you thought that you are “too old” to learn.

Well regardless of reason (excuse) why you haven’t done it, let me say you CAN learn to play the flute.  We really know in our heart that we can learn anything like this we want.  We make up excuses as to reasons that we can’t.

Adults are the worst.  We are capable of inventing almost ANY excuse to justify why we haven’t done something.  It is part of what makes us comfortable with ourselves.  We don’t want to admit to ourselves that we simply aren’t getting it done.

So do you have a reason that you use to hold yourself back?  What is it?

  • Too Old so I won’t learn as fast and will never get good
  • Not enough time
  • Not enough money
  • Sure it would be NICE, but it sounds like work
  • No one to play with

Whatever your reasons they are EXCUSES…not really reasons.

Too old to learn: It is normal to think that you can’t learn as fast as a child as you age.  Instead of trying to argue with that misconception, let’s just say even if that WERE true, that doesn’t stop you from enjoying yourself while you learn and playing music once you DO learn.

One of the things I try to remind people is that learning ANY musical instrument is like playing chess.

WHAT???

What I mean by that is that in chess anyone can learn the moves and play the game.  Not everyone will be a grandmaster of chess.  So it is with learning a musical instrument.  Anyone can learn how to play.  Do you HAVE to be a virtuoso to enjoy it?

I have a father who at 84 years old is enjoying playing his fiddle more than he ever did playing his guitar.  But honestly, he was much better at the guitar.  Sometimes a musical instrument (like a flute) can simply call to you.

Time:  Maybe you don’t think you have enough time.  Once, again, this moves into the territory of how well do you want to play the flute?  If you MUST be a champion flute player then maybe you DO need to work like a dog.  But is that what you want really?

Lessons: Of course, you can find an instructor.  Most of the music stores that sell equipment to the school bands will have instructors or certainly know how to get in touch with some.  Also, keep in mind that there are so many ways to learn now that did not exist before.  There are all kinds of books, books with CDs, DVDs, membership websites and other video lessons to move you along your path of learning.  So you don’t HAVE to take personal lessons, but you CAN.

Money: I hear this one a lot.  One of the many ways to reduce the cost of a new flute or piccolo is to find one that a student no longer wants.  Buying a used instrument is almost always a money saver.  You can again, find these available on consignment at the local music stores or repair shops that service flutes and piccolos.  You can also find them in the paper, thrifty paper, or even a pawn shop.  But in these circumstances it would be best to take someone with you who can already play and knows a quality instrument from a broken pile of junk.

Where do I play: The number one reason to play is for your own enjoyment.  For that you don’t need to go anywhere, but you can play with your church, a flute choir, or just get together with some friends and jam.   Find a friend who plays piano and play duets.  You can have a wonderful time playing together as a family.

The possibilities are endless.

So stop making excuses.  If you really WANT to learn how to play the flute or piccolo then nothing can stop you … unless you let it.