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As budgets are stretched as far as possible in today's tough economic times and everyone must think twice before spending, music reveals itself as a great option for recreation. It is a simple fact that we need some form of recreation and release or we will all go crazy. Music seems to be the answer.
If you are a beginner guitar student, for example, you can get an inexpensive guitar package of decent quality and sign up with a good teacher for individual lessons that can range from about $80-$100/monthly. What else do you spend $20-$25 every week that gives back consistently and defeats the stress monster? I know the answer, and it is not pizza! Going to a competent teacher means you will have to plan ahead. In other words, taking music lessons can be a serious financial commitment. Music is an investment in your life. Even if you don’t become a professional musician, knowing how to play an instrument and taking it as far as you can makes you more rounded as a person, and that can’t be measured in financial terms. It has been researched and documented time and time again that music makes you healthier and live longer. That 30-60 minute lesson timeframe is personal time just for you – so get lost in that lesson. Your practice time is icing on the cake. Close the door and lose the outside world for a little while. You might also find that some teachers will be willing to take on students at a lower than normal rate or allow lessons twice a month instead of every week. There are several free online lessons and DVD’s for lots of instruments including voice, but remember, these are ONLINE or on your TV/monitor and not with a live person who can actually see you, hear you, help you, and answer questions as they come up or actually show you something about technique that may not be obvious in a video. Staying motivated can be a challenge for the adult student. Making sure life doesn’t get in the way of lessons and practice can be a struggle, but well worth the fight. Some of our regular Weekend Warrior participants stay motivated by going out to hear good players and bands. Another adult student keeps a practice journal making notes after each lesson. Having a goal to meet by a specific time and preparing to play for others is a great motivator. All agree that paying for music lessons and recreational music programs is worth every penny and then some. I asked some of the adult students if they had advice for someone considering beginner lessons as an adult. The overwhelming opinion was, "Go for it!” They also said, "It’s so much more than a hobby or a luxury. It is an investment in yourself and your health" and "Be very honest with yourself about your reasons for wanting to begin playing, and about the time and energy you will have available to invest. I always encourage friends and colleagues to at least give it a try.” Learning something new and challenging like a musical instrument has been shown in scientific studies to be one of the best protectors against dementia in older age. Adults have futures, too, and need to continue to learn and grow to stay as healthy and active as possible. You can’t put a price on that. For music teachers, the continued growth in adult students provides the potential to increase income by tapping another segment of the population. Teaching adults can provide the opportunity to develop rewarding relationships and friendships. The drive and motivation of adult students can be energizing for teachers. Playing an instrument is often a life-long dream or a part of life that was put on the back burner as a person enters the adult world. Music relieves stress and, for retired adults, can fulfill intellectual, physical, and social needs that were once found in the workplace. Teachers should be aware of different motivators and teaching approaches for adults, and the teachers who tune in to each student individually have the best student retention rates. There is no substitute for a real live teacher. One of our full-time violin instructors stated that "in these challenging economic times, adult students have met the challenge and are making it happen. They inspire me and make me a better teacher because I learn so much from each student daily. It's the musical journey and personal growth that make it such a worthwhile pursuit. And while it may not be easy, I applaud any adult with a passion for music who perseveres. The rewards are satisfying and ongoing. Some of my students have switched to bi-weekly lessons so they can afford to keep coming. I have a violin student who is 83. She takes a lesson one week, and her 86-year-old husband takes a lesson the next week!” This is the beauty of growing old together, and that’s music to my ears! Published in the Coach's Corner, May 2009, at Making Music: Better Living Through Recreational Music Making
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