Where to start
Adults learn music for all kinds of reasons. Some played as children and want to come back. Others always wanted to try and finally have the time, or the nerve. Whatever the reason, the same few questions come up early: which instrument, how much practice, how to read the notes, and whether you need a teacher. These guides take them one at a time.
Choose an instrument
Match the instrument to the music you love, your space at home and how you like to learn.
Build a practice routine
What to do in a twenty-minute session, and how to make short practice count.
Set goals you can reach
Turn "learn guitar" into small, specific targets for this week and this season.
Read music
Staff, clefs, note names and the other systems players use, such as tab and chord charts.
Find a teacher
Lesson formats, what to ask before you book, and signs a teacher suits you.
Stay with it
Plateaus, busy months, nerves and other reasons adults stop, with ways through each.
What a practice week can look like
A regular routine does more than the occasional long session. Here are two sample weeks. Each bar is one day, with practice blocks sized by minutes on the same scale, so you can compare them at a glance. The practice plans page has more, including a week built around a lesson and a gentle plan for coming back after a break.
- Mon20
- Tue20
- Wed20
- Thu20
- Fri20
- Sat20
- Sun0
- Mon10
- Tue10
- Wed10
- Thu10
- Fri10
- Sat45
- Sun30
- Warm-up
- Technique
- Pieces
- Reading and rhythm
- Free play
Learning as an adult
Adults bring real advantages to an instrument. You can understand theory when it is explained, plan your own practice, choose your own music, and notice what is going wrong. What adults tend to lack is spare time and patience with the slow start. Expect the first few months to feel clumsy on any instrument. That stage passes with regular practice, and it passes faster when sessions are short and frequent.
- Pick an instrument that plays the music you want to hear yourself play. See instrument profiles for twelve common choices.
- Get a playable instrument. Renting or borrowing for the first months is common and lets you change your mind.
- Set a small daily target, such as ten or twenty minutes, at a fixed time.
- Choose one first goal you can reach in a month or two, like playing one song from start to finish.
- Decide how you will learn: a teacher, a group class, books or video lessons, or a mix.
Common questions
Am I too old to learn an instrument?
People start instruments at every age, including in retirement. Progress depends far more on regular practice than on your age. If you have joint, hearing or breathing concerns, ask your doctor which instruments suit you and how to play comfortably.
How long until I can play something?
On many instruments, a simple tune or a few chords come within the first weeks of regular practice. Playing comfortably with others usually takes months. Timelines vary a lot with the instrument and the time you put in.
Do you recommend brands or sell instruments?
No. We describe instrument types and what to look for, and suggest asking a teacher or a local music shop about specific models. See the about page.