Not only can you teach an old dog new tricks, you can teach it to play blues guitar, says JW Jones.
Jones, a Juno nominee and recording artist, is among the music teachers who answered our questions about whether learning to play an instrument fits with retirement. As if in harmony, all answered with a resounding “yes.”
Mobility issues needn’t be an issue, says New Brunswick voice teacher Lisa McLaggan.
“Maybe all of that movement would be beneficial and serve as physio for those aches and pains,” says McLaggan, who is finishing her doctorate in studio music and jazz performance, teaching in the public school system and has recorded and toured with husband John as the duo Tomato Tomato. “Motion is lotion.”
Piano teacher Tom Pechloff, who’s known in Ottawa for playing with the Bushpilots and elsewhere, suggests there can be unexpected physical benefits to learning an instrument.
“I taught an elderly gentleman [who] was visually impaired and a bit cranky, but the opportunity for us to play a little music and talk about music often seemed to make him feel better,” Pechloff says. “It was more therapy than anything.”
While some teachers prefer in-person lessons, all agree that online lessons work, too. Learners need an instrument to get started, but used instruments are plentiful and, as Whitehorse, Yukon, fiddle teacher and recording artist Keitha Clark notes, many places, such as Long & McQuade stores, rent instruments. Renting allows a person to decide how comfortable they are with an instrument before buying.
Adult learning is more laid back
Prospective learners shouldn’t be put off by any negative lessons they may have picked up as a child, when teachers were more strict and rigid.
“A lot of people have had bad experiences learning music that stuck with them,” says harmonica teacher Catriona Sturton, who moves between Ontario and Nova Scotia while recording and performing. “It really hurts to hear people say they aren’t musical or can’t sing. A lot of times people haven’t had the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment.”
More tips from our teachers
JW Jones, blues guitar
Ottawa
Q: Is retirement too late to learn an instrument?
A: Learning in retirement is wonderful because there’s usually more time. Retirement-age folks can improve as quickly as they wish if they put in the time. You get back exactly what you put in. It’s not easy. It’s not quick, but the payoff is huge and the sense of accomplishment is meaningful.
Q: What makes guitar well suited to learning in retirement?
A: You can play it sitting or standing, whatever is more comfortable. Also, an electric guitar can be played at any time of day without being disruptive (unplugged or with an inexpensive headphone amp).
Keitha Clark, fiddle
Whitehorse, Yukon
(Not accepting new students)
Q: Why is the fiddle fit to learn in retirement?
A: It's not just about learning a new skill, but about being part of new communities. Many places have great jam sessions, groups and music camps that you can join.
Q: Should I have lessons in person or online?
A: I recommend in person, as it’s easier to develop and hear good tone if you're in the same space. But Zoom lessons open the opportunity to work with a variety of teachers if you have mobility issues or live in an area where it is hard to access in-person lessons.
Q: What do you wish you’d known when you first learned to play music?
A: I wish I’d known how much fun, joy and connection music can bring. It's something I've been consistently reminded of in more than 25 years of teaching and performing, and it continues to motivate me to love what I do.
Tom Pechloff, piano
Ottawa
tom.pechloff@gmail.com
Q: What goal should I set when learning an instrument?
A: Crawl before you walk before you run. Set reasonable goals that you can meet. That will snowball. And of course, have fun.
Q: What if I wear a hearing aid?
A: You’ll be able to hear what you're playing. Perfect!
Q: Lessons in person, or online?
A: Either/or. The pandemic taught us online lessons are very doable. Sometimes audio may cut out or it's harder to hear some of the precise elements of a piece, but I never have to cancel because of winter weather again, I’ve even held a couple recitals on Zoom and relatives from as far away as England could attend.
Q: How do I not bother family or neighbours?
A: Electric pianos have volume control and headphones. Some pianos have a foot pedal that greatly mutes the keys. I suppose not doing it at 3 a.m. would help, too.
Catriona Sturton, harmonica
Sault Ste. Marie and Ottawa, Ont., and Lunenburg, N.S.
Q: How is the harmonica suited to learning in retirement?
A: Breathing exercises for harmonica can help develop lung health, and there is even a special harmonica designed to help with [this.] There are a lot of deep feelings that come with this stage of life, and having an outlet for expression can be important. One of my favourite experiences teaching was when an 80-year-old student learned to bend notes for the first time. She had experienced a number of losses and hearing her have a way to play music that reflected how she was feeling felt very profound to me.
Q: What should I look for in a music teacher?
A: It helps if they make you feel excited about the instrument, and if your teacher can help connect you with other learners so you build some community around your instrument. Don’t be afraid to learn from a variety of sources — workshops, YouTube, even lessons from different people can help, especially if you are hitting a wall with a certain thing.
Lisa McLaggan, voice
Grand Bay-Westfield, N.B.
(Not accepting new students)
Q: What makes voice well suited to learning in retirement?
A: Where there is music, people gather. Where people gather, they connect. Playing music in a group setting or being able to strum a few chords at a party could work wonders for someone’s socialization and sense of community.
Q: How much time do I need to learn?
A: The more time you put in, the more progress you will see. In graduate school, I had the philosophy that if I practised first thing in the morning, I’d be a musician all day.
Q: Don’t you need to be able to sing before you learn how to do it properly?
A: To sing in tune is important, but that is something we work on. Billie Holiday had one of the most unconventional voices ever, toured the world and moved people to tears when she performed.