They say you can’t teach an old dog a new trick. Did I just call you old? Maybe, but the important thing here is that I’m telling you that you have a few advantages over your kids when it comes to learning an instrument. I know that it is said that kids are like sponges, but most parents can relate to my frustration of having to tell my son to put his shoes on at least 15 times before he actually does it. This makes me think that kids are not soaking up information as fast as some would have us believe.

Music lessons would not only be fun for you but it would help your child too. Kids mimic their parents and seeing you might inspire and motivate them. It also puts you in a position to help them when they are practicing at home. If you pull down the shades so their friends and neighbors won’t see they might actually want to have some fun “jamming” with you.

Your age isn't an obstacle rather an asset in learning an instrument. Here are 5 reasons why your age is an advantage in learning some new tricks.

1. You understand cause and affect. Kids often ask “why”. For example, “Why do I have to practice?” “Why do I go to lessons every week?” “Why cant playing Rock Band on the PlayStation count as practice time?” Adults understand that you need to put something in to get something out.

2. A kid’s brain may be like a sponge but an adult’s brain is like a supercomputer. Let’s face it, kids don’t absorb and process information on the same level as adults. With adult students, teachers can go deeper into certain topics and move faster where kids don’t have the ability to handle that level of information. Adults can easily comprehend ideas and make connections to other topics while children haven’t fully developed this ability. For example, I can quickly make the connection that if I don’t put my shoes on right away I will be late for work. My son on the other hand doesn’t seem to have grasped that concept yet.

3. You can focus for longer periods of time. With young students teachers often break the lesson time up with several activities to keep the child’s focus and attention. The first 10 minutes of a lesson is often the most productive as attention spans begin to fade. Most adults have no problem remaining engaged for the full lesson without interruption.

4. You ask good questions. Adults understand the teacher/student model of learning. When adults need clarification they have the ability to ask the right series of questions to work in tandem with the teacher to present the material in a way that can be understood. Many times a teacher will ask a young student if they have any questions and receive an answer like, “Ummm yes, do you like pepperoni?”

5. You can drive. You’re free to schedule lessons after work, during lunch breaks, or a time that corresponds with your child’s lesson time. When you hold the minivan keys you control your destiny. So tell your kids to drop the leash because this old dog is going to music class.

Now that you have read this article, are you going to take the next step and register yourself for music lessons? Give yourself some accountability by leaving a message in the comments sections below and tell the cyber world that you’re going to learn to play an instrument. Also, leave some encouraging words for an adult reading this that is scared to try something new and needs a little push to do something fun for themselves.

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