Musicians that "started late" in their lives

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I've done a google search without much success of musicians that began learning their first instrument at an age older than 25.

I have a friend that's thinking about learning the piano but she thinks she's too old for that at 26 and I wanted to give her some examples to let her see that it's very much possible.

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I took up the guitar at 40 and now I play some mean tunes. My friend Bill learned the piano at 55. It's never too late!

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I would suspect that if she wanted to become a professional musician it would be a bit late. But for her own pleasure, why not?

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How about Moms Mabley? I don't think she ever did learn an instrument.

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How long have you been playing the guitar, Nick?

I did some basic googling and couldn't find much info on Moms, why did you bring her up CowDoc?

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Five years now Joel. And I'm pretty good at it. As I am already in the entertainment industry, I may even get the chance to play on film.

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Wow, that's impressive, learned the instrument by yourself or with teaching?

Do/did you practice daily?

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I practiced almost daily for a couple os years. Now I practice about 2 - 3 times a week. I took some lessons from a noted Jazz guitarist.

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I simply remembered Moms Mabley and Mrs. Miller as examples of older artists with short, often "one-hit" careers. I don't know how long they kicked around the business before they made the charts, transient though it was.

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I hear Howlin' Wolf didn't really get going until he was 50!

That may be a lie but I'm too lazy today to google it.

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Kin Gordon from Sonic Youth was in her mid to late twenties when she picked up the bass. She's done alright for herself.

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Well, wikipedia says Howlin' Wolf was born in 1910 and by 1948 he had formed a band. So 50 is out of the question but 35+ is possible, still pretty impressive.

I thought there would be more well known examples.

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LionTamerX wrote:

Kin Gordon from Sonic Youth was in her mid to late twenties when she picked up the bass. She's done alright for herself.

Wow...they have some nasty guitar, not sure how she's looked upon as a bass player though?

Listening to some of the pop-rock bands, a lot of songs can be learned in 5 minutes and it doesn't take much skill to play them. Don't see why someone couldn't become a successful musician starting in their twenties. Looking at the people who are really considered great though, I'd bet most started young.

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Slappy took up the Kazoo just two weeks ago and he's already a master.

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Slappy Doo Hoo wrote:

Looking at the people who are really considered great though, I'd bet most started young.

That seems to be the rule of thumb.

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Kim G is a pretty awesome song writer, I think. Some people don't dig her, but I'm a fan for sure.

Okay, so the Wolf was younger than I thought. I do know he was very tall and over 300 pounds, and even in middle age his stage antics were outrageous. Like he would climb the stage curtains, howling of course.

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There is a good thread on www.datadragon .com about "late Bloomers" it's quite interesting. It's an older thread, so if you check it out, you'll have to ga back in the files.

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I forgot to put the .com on that site, so here it is again www.datadragon.com

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It is rare but there are people who become virtuosos starting at a later age. The odds are against you, especially because most people have to work for a living, there is just not enough time to catch up.

But if you are a performer and have what they call "it" you don't have to be a great musician.

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Thanks imnidiot, this really helps!

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Musicians that "started late" in their lives

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