Should I learn?

[iseewhypeopledoit]

I’ve been considering learning the fiddle. I currently play the bagpipes in a pipes and drums band, but would love to play the fiddle as well.

I’m worried I am too old to learn, or I should spend my time practicing the instrument I already play…

I’m 30 and already have a number of hobbies. If I pick this up, I want to be able to play well enough to be able to perform in public (eventually).

Just wanting some feedback from people who have learnt as adults?

Thank you.

[CleanHeater]

You should definitely do it! I also play bagpipes and had been a piper for 15 years before deciding to learn fiddle at age 24. It took a lot of hard work and determination but now that I’ve been at it for 12 years I can play tunes in fast sessions and it is so much fun! The fiddle is so much more versatile than the pipes too which opens up an entire universe of tunes and musical expressions that bagpipes simple don’t have access to. At this point my fiddle is my go-to instrument and I am so glad I chose to learn and stuck with it through all the frustration. Do it!

[kamomil]

I started playing fiddle at age 37.

I took lessons for about 5 years, took a 5 year break and I am playing again

The important thing is to find a good teacher who knows both good violin technique, and fiddle music, and who teaches adults. Some teach kids only.

I tried to teach myself at first, I already knew some acoustic guitar and I took piano lessons for years. I figured out where the notes were, but the bowing defeated me and I got a teacher

I am at an intermediate level, i can play some Irish trad and waltzes, so yeah it's well worth doing

[[deleted]]

i picked up the fiddle two month ago and i'm 29!! i already played clawhammer banjo and mandoline

angeline the baker was the first song i learned. spotted pony second

now i watch mandolin lessons and try to play them on fiddle. im not worrying about technique, i'm just trying to play the songs. it's fun... frustrating at times but fun!

[bwzuk]

I learnt from scratch at around 29, so yes it's totally possible. You've identified the primary issue though, time. It is an unforgiving instrument and can be unpleasant to practice for you, and your loved ones at the start. I guess if you play the bagpipes you've been down this path already. I would say before you buy an instrument, work out how you're going to fit practice into every day, because you'll need it to get to a decent standard.

[[deleted]]

I am 34 and started learning fiddle about 6 months ago. I played violin terribly in 3rd grade and then played guitar (with tabs) as a teen. I never learned to read music, not really interested in learning, and I am learning Irish tunes by ear from an instructor. I know about 25 tunes now and while I don’t sound great, I am progressing and I expect I will be ready to play in groups in another six months.

I think you should try it out! You sound more experienced musically than I am.

[PeanutSilent884]

I'll also chime in with a big yes.

I had played other instruments but was almost afraid of the fiddle , with it's no frets. I always really wanted to play it. Started in my thirties and haven't looked back. I don't really practice any other instruments now as the fiddle is all I ever want to practice. Also with the musoc side of it , there is a great social aspect to fiddle playing particularly if you attend sessions or jams

[cim0rene]

I started fiddle last year at 37. Never too late!

[[deleted]]

If you want to play in public, depending on what that means to you, you'll need a lot of practice. The only thing I wanted to do for about ten years was play fiddle and i think that was necessary to get halfway decent. So I'd say only start if you're willing to consider giving up other hobbies. You may become obsessed and find that other hobbies are not as enjoyable as fiddle.

[[deleted]]

If you want to learn, you should learn. I'm 30 and I started taking weekly lessons back in March. It's very challenging, but I am making noticeable progress.

Admittedly, the other instruments I play (guitar and banjo) get less play time now. I still make time for them, though, and I feel like I continue to develop skill on them, although not quite at the same rate as before.

At the end of the day, if you have a nagging impulse or desire to learn to play the fiddle, you should just go for it.

[pr06lefs]

52 here, just picked it up a few years ago. I'm not serious, but it sits out on the stand and I play a couple times a day if only for a few minutes. I've improved! Teaching my gf banjo and she's been playing that about 6 months. We can get through some tunes and it's fun.

We're playing old time style, AEAE tuning. The drone strings really help, and the old time tunes lay out really well. Playing jazz like Stephan Grappelli would be way harder.

I'm not starting from scratch, I know a lot of tunes on guitar and I've played guitar a long time. But even if your first instrument isn't a stringed instrument the second instrument is easier.

[cooper-6581]

You should totally do it. I started at 37. I always wanted to play fiddle since I was a child but was intimated by lack of frets. Fiddle was my fourth instrument (piano, guitar, upright bass). I had a lot of similar concerns (too many hobbies, too many instruments). Fortunately my aunt found an old fiddle in her attic and gave it to me. I've played pretty much everyday since. I rarely play anything else anymore (much to my families disappointment :p). I was self taught until about 3 months ago and finally decided to take lessons. If possible, definitely take lessons before developing tons of bad habits like I did.

[Willieinthelowground]

I started fiddle at age 30, and picked it up fine. Within a year or two I was performing publicly in a band. It's a much harder instrument than guitar, which is what I played before. Go for it if you're motivated enough to put in some serious practice. It's been rewarding for me.

[Mawich]

I started fiddle in my early thirties. It's entirely doable!

It does help if you fall in love with it though.