Mastering Music - It's never too late to learn to play an instrument, as local adult beginners can attest
By Lisa Scheid - The Reading Eagle - 3/11/2013
Barry Read always loved music, especially rock'n'roll, but it took approaching retirement, shelling his street rod, and a push from his wife tactually learn to play guitar. "I think it's good from to get my brain working." said Read, 62, of Ruscombmanor Township, a retired postal worker who has been taking lessons for two years. "At first I thought, 'Do older people do this?'"
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Some brain research indicates learning something new, such as playing an instrument, as you age may help keep your mind sharp, but local music teachers say they'd been teaching adult beginners long before the latest wave of research. Meadowood Music in Maidencreek Township has had adult beginners since it opened in 2000, said co-owner Paula Taylor, Meadowood's most famous adult beginner might be Betty Druckenmiller, who learned old-time fiddle in her 40s at about the time her son took up Suzuki violin, which requires that a parent participatel
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She's in her 60s now, teaches fiddle and has recorded multiple old-time CDs with her husband and son. She performs widely in folk and old-time music venues. She is a staff member at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, Wha, and co-founder of the Maidencreek Old Time Music Festival.
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Adults tend to be harder on themselves, with preconceived notions that they should be good at things, while children are more accustomed to learning new things, said Judy Terwilliger, who teaches violin, dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, and piano at Meadowood. An adult beginner's motivation is different. There are no parents to please or college resumes to bolster. Druckenmiller said. "They're doing it because they love music, and those are some of my favorite students," Druckenmiller said.
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Student Profile One: Barry Read
Address: Ruscombmanor Township, Age: 62, Instrument: Acoustic Guitar, Musical background: Wanted to play saxophone as a kid, but wasn't encouraged, probably because his parents thought he would not stick with it.
Truth about learning as an adult: "At first it was touch and go. It was frustrating. You have two hands doing two different things.
Why he didn't give up: "Because I really wanted to do it. There's no deadline. If I don't get to be a great guitar player before I pass away, it's OK, it's just for me to play.
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Student Profile Two: Valarie Meyer
Address: Kutztown, Age: 43, Instrument: Violin, Musical background: "I never had any real music experience in my life. My friend begged me to join chorus in high school, and I was a fish out of water. I didn't know how to read music, so I faked it and pretended to sing until I heard it enough times, and then same the best that I could. That was the extent of my music experience."
The moment she fell in love: "When I was in fourth grade, we were taken to see the Reading Symphony Orchestra by the school. I had never Benn to anything like it in my life, but when I heard the violins, I was in awe. I had expressed an interest to learn to play violin at that time, but we couldn't afford it, and it just got tucked back in the recesses of my brain."
Reaction to becoming a beginner: Meyer started in 2007. "My husband thought I was joking at first, but then realized that I was serious, and has supported me. My friends and family seemed a little shocked at first, but they are always telling me how proud they are of me and that the wished they hdd the nerve to do it."
Double whammy: "I couldn't read music, and I picked one of the hardest instruments to learn. I thought about trying another instrument first, but I decided that it was the violin I really wanted to learn, so I sucked it up and went for it. It wasn't pretty at first, that's for sure.
Source of frustration: "You go through rough spots, where it just seems like your hands defy your brain. Children just sort of shrug off things easier than adults do. But, you get through it and move on to the next skill."
Best part: It makes you concentrate so much that the stresses of the day melt away.
Worst part: Playing in front of others, but she's joined jam sessions at Meadowood and a teaching orchestra in Lancaster.
Regrets: "The only thing I regret is that I should have started earlier in life.
Advice: Anyone can make time to learn an instrument, but it has to be part of your daily routine. "It's never too late. It opens up your mind, and it opens doors if you let it. If I can do it, you can do it, believe me."
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Student Profile Three: Barbara Bortz
Address: Shillington, Age: 57, Instrument: Hammered Dulcimer, Early music experience: Piano from fourth to tenth grades
Return to music: Took up clarinet seven years ago at a studio in Sinking Spring
The best Christmas gift: Husband bought her a hammered dulcimer and lessons begin this year.
Reaction of family and friends:: Very encouraging. "My daughters thought this was great, and my youngest, who also lives in Shillington, was particularly happy because she plays the flute and pictured us playing together in church (Open Bible Baptist Church in Lower Alsace Township), which we have done.
Biggest challenges: Finding time to practice and learning music theory.
Best thing about being a beginner: "I love music; in particular, hymns. I do not like rock, heavy metal or any of the so-called modern music of today. I'm not sure 2hat I think is the best thing about playing an instrument, although it is a challenge, and keeps your brain working as you learn."
Regrets: "I wish I could hav kept up with piano lessons and forced myself to practice so I could be better at what I do."
Advice: It is never too late to start again."
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Student Profile Four : Ruth Bloom
Address: Alburtis - Lehigh County, Age: 59, Instrument: Violin Musical background: A little piano as a child, mostly listening to all kinds of music.
Why she started: Her favorite instrument was the violin, so at the age of 30 she started to learn She had a full-time job and two young children, but kept at it for a while.
First song: Yes ut was "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
Beginning again: After a 12-year hiatus, she took uo lessons again as a beginner.
Family reaction: "I think my family knows how much I enjoy playing because I love listening to music and going to concerts."
Friends' reaction: "They laugh when I tell them I play the violin, and the laugh more when I tell them I even play in an amateur symphony in Lancaster. I think they cannot imagine someone in their late 50s taking o this commitment."
Biggest challenge: Finding time to practice and making the transition from playing notes to playing with feeling.
Best part The ability ti participate in the making of music and not just listening to others play. "I think of it like this: Uo can be spectator of sports but actually playing a sport is exhilarating."
Worst part: Seeing a youngster play a difficult piece of music, knowing that person has only been playing for a few years while she's been playing for years and can barely master an intermediate level piece "Meanwhile, I have been playing forever and can barely master an intermediate level piece."
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Student Profile Five : Bill Scruggs
Address: Macungie - Lehigh County, Age: 73, Instrument: Banjo,
That name is familiar: Yes, he is distantly related to famed banjo player Earl Scruggs. UYes, they've met. Yes, it was a reason he wanted to learn banjo.
No one was surprised Scruggs took up banjo last year after retirement. He owned a banjo he bought in Nashville, TN, on a business trip 20 years ago.
He was surprised: "My better half says she likes the sound of it."
Best part:: It refreshes your mind and gives you satisfaction that you can learn something. "When I play I don't want to do anything else."
Hard part: "I have problems that my two fingers on my left hand don't do what I tell them."
The turnabout: "I was self-employed most of my life, and all of the sudden you have this instrument telling you what to do. It brings you back down to earth; it makes you think."
Advice: "If you don't have something that keeps you busy that you like to do, you get old."