It’s Never too Late for Music

By: Shauna Devlin
Posted In: Entertainment

Newport, R.I.- Before you drop off your eleven year old son to his next violin lesson you may want to think twice, that is, about joining him.

Music has long been known to relieve stress, exercise both your physical and mental abilities, and play a key role in increasing your concentration, coordination, and confidence.

But what most adults tend to overlook is that these benefits all still apply to them.

“It was something that I always wanted to do,” says Mike Silberia, when speaking of picking up guitar lessons again after 13 years. Juggling two jobs and raising a five year old daughter, Silberia still finds time to practice one to even four hours per day.

Many adults battle the empty nest syndrome by taking on a new hobby to cope with their sense of loss and grief. Instead, Silberia designates significant amounts of time to practicing and instilling a artistic and constructive foundation for his daughter, by just recently teaching her the names of the strings on the guitar.

Silberia spreads out his practice hours throughout the day, always making sure to set aside time for music he wants to add to his repertoire, as well as concentrating on acing the lessons his teacher gives him.

What keeps him coming back for more?

“The self-satisfaction and confidence boost I get from helping and learning from others,” says Silberia.

Not only has Silberia “set goals for himself instrumentally wise, but personally as well”, a feat he had never taken on before he said. Surprisingly, despite what skeptics may think, he contests that playing music and finding the time is not a stress trigger, but a stress releaser.

Although Silberia did have previous experience in playing the guitar, this experience and technique wasn’t entirely correct, according to his teacher who he has been taking lessons from since last November. Lessons were the turning point for this musician and Silberia encourages other adults to learn the right way.

“I am amazed by my improvements and the strides forward I have made in such a short time”.

Newport is no exception to the steady rise in interested adults pursuing learning to play an instrument. According to the Western Arts alliance, the Gallup Organization revealed a survey in 2003, showing that more Americans are enjoying the benefits of playing music than ever before.

The survey found that there is no exception to adults being active in the creation of music. Those surveyed between the ages of 35 to 50 currently playing a musical instrument made up 42%, up from 35 percent in 1985.

Those 50 and older, 20 percent were still playing an instrument, up from 16 percent in 1985. In Newport alone, adults can get involved with the Community Symphonic Band, the county orchestra, and even the university choir, where staff have often been spotted singing Handel’s “Messiah” at the annual Christmas concert.

Adam Weinstein, owner and teacher at Newport Music and Sound says that he has taught an average of 15-20 adult students; just since opening on Broadway Street last June.

All of his students come from various backgrounds, some with prior knowledge, and some with no background at all. Weinstein has even taught a recorded artist out of New York City, showing us that learning certainly does not end when its your child’s turn to explore.

Everyone can brush up on his or her technique, and any practice time is no waste of time.

“Music was my shelter,” says Weinstein. “Playing the guitar and music has a lot of qualities of what happens in life in general, it’s all intertwining.”

Music is not for the hesitant or uneager. Overcoming the initial practicalities and adjustments takes determination, concentration and willingness to stay positive.

“Once you leap that hurdle, it’s an ultimate release, confidence boost, and place to channel energies-whether they be positive, negative or silly.”

Peter Davis, Chair of the Music Department at Salve Regina University, contests to this whole-heartedly. However, he warns that “a lot of people want to achieve their final end sooner than they realize, it’s like learning a language, a gradual process that takes time and steady work.”

How do adults stay on stop of all this work? The best way to practice, according to Davis, is “putting aside 15 minutes to a half an hour every day instead of practicing for hours at a time.”

Davis advocates this method for it’s better retention rate, and less fatigue on the body, especially when playing a wind instrument.

Practice would not be complete without a patient teacher at your side. Music is the most efficient way to let your creative juices flow. Adults can have more flexibility when putting together their schedules and designing their practice regimen and music they want to study.

“For an adult, I ask how important it is for them to read music, or hear a song and able to play it.”

From there the possibilities are endless. Genres from jazz to country fit everyone’s personal approach.

So before you think the best way you’ll be able to express yourself is by what your cooking for dinner tomorrow night, think again.

“Not only do adult students tend to be more driven, they’ll follow the advice their teacher give them and do it” says Davis.