40 years old: progressing is a whole different ball game.
Learning music as an adult is not a race. It's like building a chalet, brick by brick: coordination, listening, reading, memory, and finally interpretation.
In the first few weeks, you get used to the movements (where to place your fingers, how to breathe, how to hold the bow) to produce a consistent sound. What surprises people is how quickly your ear develops. Even if you think you "don't have an ear," you'll become more sensitive to notes and rhythm. If you're consistent, you'll start hearing details you never noticed before in your favorite tunes.
Pro tip: To try out an instrument without breaking the bank, renting a musical instrument is the ideal option. It allows you to try it out before committing!
Learning music: a question of objective
If your goal is to become an international soloist, starting at age 5 certainly helps. But to play properly, for pleasure, alone or with a group, there's no age limit.
At 40, you can aim for an intermediate or even advanced level for an amateur in just a few years. You can become very comfortable: reading simple sheet music, accompanying songs at the cottage, playing in a local band, or improvising a little. Just remember: you're not behind, you're just starting out. That's all.
Which musical instrument is the fastest to learn?
That's the question everyone asks because we want results. Small victories are what give us the desire to continue. Basically, musical instruments that offer quick satisfaction have three things in common: a sound that's easy to produce, simple movements at the beginning, and a repertoire that's immediately accessible.
Instrument | Difficulty | Reading notes | Posture | The small victory |
Piano / Clavier | Very easy | Notation classique | Coordination douce | Mélodies simples |
Ukulélé | Easy | Accords simples | Doux pour les doigts | Accompagner des chansons |
Guitare | AVERAGE | Tablatures | Demande de la corne | Jouer des classiques pop |
Percussions | Very easy | Peu de lecture | Cardio et rythme | Garder le groove |
Violon | Difficult | Notation classique | Posture exigeante | La richesse du son |
If you want to say "what I play" from the very first month, the piano, ukulele, or percussion are your best bets. For more complex instruments, renting one is even more practical: it allows you to get comfortable with the instrument without stress. In any case, the more you practice, the better you become.
The "adult" method: practice less, but practice better
Consistency is key. Fifteen to thirty minutes done well, a few times a week, yields impressive results. Here's what an effective session should look like:
- Warm-up (3-5 min): Slow movements to loosen the hands or the breath.
- Today's challenge (8-15 min): A difficult measure or a rhythm that is blocking.
- Pure pleasure (5-10 min): Play a tune you already know to end on a good note.
- The review (1 min): Note what went well for next time.
Teacher, online course, or group practice?
A good teacher is worth their weight in gold because they'll correct your flaws before they become bad posture habits. At 40, we like to understand the "why," and a teacher can explain that clearly.
The best way to stay motivated is to play with others: a duo, a small community group, or even a choir. That's where the music comes alive.
The bottom line: We're often too hard on ourselves. The key is to transform your big dream into small, concrete goals. Instead of saying, "I want to be good," say to yourself, "I want to play this movie song for my friends at Christmas." The brain loves having a clear target.
As long as you have the desire to press a key or pluck a string, you are exactly the perfect age to start.