How to develop musical ability?

[Lily_o_valley]

I'm in my 50s but I keep feeling something (a call, vocation?) to develop musically. What would be your recommendations?

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

I'm in my 50s but I keep feeling something (a call, vocation?) to develop musically. What would be your recommendations?

Unless you can sing start with a recorder. They are inexpensive and you begin to read music.

 

[Lily_o_valley]

Unless you can sing start with a recorder. They are inexpensive and you begin to read music.

Thank you, I do have recorders, guitars and an electronic organ/ piano. I have experience from 35+ years ago; I think the challenge is to start again, and commit to regular practice.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Thank you, I do have recorders, guitars and an electronic organ/ piano. I have experience from 35+ years ago; I think the challenge is to start again, and commit to regular practice.

I play classical guitar. about a 4 skill level 1-10. I find things that are easy and occasionally push on something more difficult. Still, it opens up a new world.

My latest push: I can play the notes but not like Xuefei.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

I also took up shakuhachi. I can play notes but not like this.

 

[bèlla]

What are you interested in? Your question is broad. Do you want to sing or play an instrument? Consider your health when choosing. Can you sit or stand for long periods or hold your arms in a certain position? Find the one that suits you best on all fronts. You'll enjoy it more.

Check in your area for lessons and performance groups. Don't choose something so obscure you have no one to connect with. It's much easier when you find likeminded people who share your passion who can answer questions and provide tips and resources.

~bella

 

[Richard T]

I'm in my 50s but I keep feeling something (a call, vocation?) to develop musically. What would be your recommendations?

What does God put on your heart? If personal, then maybe anything you want, If you think you might play in worship, then ask your worship leader what need they might if you get proficient enough. For ease in worship the bass guitar might be easiest. If you know chords decently then rhythm guitar, if your real good then lead guitar. Sorry I know little about being decent on keyboards other than it seems far more complicated, like bass, lead and rhythm at once.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Don't choose something so obscure you have no one to connect with.

Hah! That is what I did because I thought it was so cool. Fortunately with the internet connection is more possible than decades ago.
Still, when I talk shakuhachi no one has a clue.

 

[Lily_o_valley]

What does God put on your heart? If personal, then maybe anything you want, If you think you might play in worship, then ask your worship leader what need they might if you get proficient enough. For ease in worship the bass guitar might be easiest. If you know chords decently then rhythm guitar, if your real good then lead guitar. Sorry I know little about being decent on keyboards other than it seems far more complicated, like bass, lead and rhythm at once.

Singing and songwriting is what's on my heart. I would love to improve my instrumental ability too, but it's the song that burns in me!

 

[Richard T]

Good, no reason you can't do it all. 50s is not too old to learn. I'm hoping to try the pedal steel guitar soon and I am older than you. The songs in your heart should be helping your walk with God too.

 

[stevevw]

I'm in my 50s but I keep feeling something (a call, vocation?) to develop musically. What would be your recommendations?

If you feel you have a calling to music then I believe this is usually because you are inclined that way and there is something in you that relates to this. Music is a language, a form of communication and some express themselves this way. Or rather find it easier or natural to to do.

Its a matter of finding what your music inclination is. Some people go into the engineering side as they may not have the voice or inclination to play an instrument. But they have an ear for music. They can bring the music out to its fullest. Capture the true sound.

There are young people especially who can produce electronic music without playing an instrument and it can be very creative. But also it can be too electronic and not real.

I wanted to learn the guitar and had lessons in theory butI lost interest. I picked up the guitar 20 years later without any lessons, self taught and no theory and was playing within a week. Just basic chords. But because there is a music inclinations those chords soon become bits of songs.

I also think that anyone can sing. But most don't because they express themselves differently. The voice box is like an instrument and it can be tuned over time. Even what may appear a bad voice can be improved to be decent and even have some character about it if used in the right overall style you want to portray.

Look at Dylan, a whiny hillbilly voice but his presentation was captivating. He told a story and people believed him. Believability is important. You got to own your music. Not copy someone elses. Though you can learn covers and make them your own.

But it could be bass, or drums, or flute as someone suggested. I seen a violin in an op shop the other day and was tempted to buy it and have a go. It doesn't matter because all instruments work to the same language.

Training your ear to the notes is important. Some are naturals and can go to a keyboard and find the right notes that sound good together. There are formulas for certain notes that go together and just knowing the basics is good enough. I always say if it sounds good its good.

The same principle can be applied to singing. Just continually hearing the note G, or A or D you will eventually be able to hum that note and harmonise. Basically thats what singing is. Learning to mimick the music keys. Sure theres pitch, breathing and posture and all that which helps because breath gives you control to home in on that note.

But the more you hear the note the more you can home in on it and harmonise. The tone, gravel, texture and all that is the character I think and even a metal tin or even a saw in the shed can have a tune in it if you hit the right spot. lol. Its fun and its good therapy as I think it ignites large parts of the brain in memory, emotions, even spiritually.

 

[BassLine]

To the OP:
I don't think there are any age limits on learning musical skills. Music can be a lifelong journey. There is always something more to learn about managing an instrument or about music itself. I'm in my 80s and don't gig anymore, but I still play for my church, and I still take lessons to learn new skills.

The free interactive online course from Berklee College of Music in Boston might give you some interesting and helpful insights.
The course is called Berklee Pulse, and it covers three levels of these topics:
Form
Rhythm
Melody
Harmony
Improvisation
Songwriting
Arranging
Production
Performance

I hope your musical journey brings you much joy and many blessings.
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Lady: Are you the police?
Elwood Blues: No, ma'am, we're musicians ... We're on a mission from God.