Think it’s too late to learn to fly an airplane or master the steps to the tango?

No, it’s not, said Tina Neese.

Tina is on a year-long quest to improve her mind, body and spirit and to do some of things she has always dreamed about, such as playing the piano.

“My daughter, Sarah, was taking piano lessons, and I always wanted to learn to play, but I’m not musical at all,” Neese said. “Her teacher is wonderful, and I thought maybe I should try to live my motto: ‘If you want to do something, try it.’ I don’t want to look back and regret not doing something.”

So, a year ago, she started taking lessons from piano instructor Melissa Westman. And this month she is performing her first major recital, an audition for the National Piano Guild. A successful audition will allow Tina to become a member of the National Fraternity of Student Musicians, which is a division of the American College of Musicians.

“I did a Christmas recital and messed up big time. It was a hoot,” Tina said. “This is my first big recital.”

She has been practicing hard to make sure she does well.

“Tina has done really well,” said Westman of Cantonment. “She’s progressed really quickly and is highly motivated and practiced.”

An extra-heavy dose of motivation and desire is key to being successful as an adult in learning to play the piano, or picking up any new skill, Westman said.

While age 5 is the prime time to start piano lessons, Melissa said she has taught plenty of adults how to evoke pleasant tunes out of the ebony and ivory keys

“I’ve taught adults in their 30s, and I’ve taught a senior citizen who was in her 60s or 70s,” she said. “I would encourage (adults), if it is their dream, and they really want to do it and have a desire, go for it, and try it out.”

Desire has been the driving force for Tina, because, she said, learning to play the piano has not been easy for her or her family.

“I start playing, and everyone leaves the house,” she said with a chuckle about the hours she spends practicing each week.

“It’s been a struggle for me, I don’t just pick it up easily like some people who can sit down and play. I marvel at them,” she said.

She was determined to make good on the promise to herself and her husband, Don, to commit to the lessons for one year.

“There are days that are frustrating for me, but I try to practice half an hour to 45 minutes a day anyway,” she said.

“Some days, I’m at it an hour. I sit down to play, and it’s me and the piano, and it’s relaxing.”

The hardest part has been memorizing the music, something she needs to perfect for the audition.

“It’s a challenge for me,” she said. My daughter, Sarah, is more musical than I am, and she can memorize the notes.”

Regardless of how well she does, or how far she takes the lessons, Tina said the experience is rewarding.

“I stuck with it, and it’s an accomplishment in itself,” she said. “I’ve grown to have a greater appreciation for people who can sit down and play the piano. It’s an art. I don’t take them for granted, even when I hear the pianist in the church. I listen to someone now and say, ‘It took them a long time to get that good.’ One day, maybe I’ll get a piece down and it will be perfect.”

Tina’s advice to other adults: “You’re never to old to try something you’ve always wanted to do, although it may take more work and determination.”

WANT TO LEARN TO PLAY THE PIANO OR PICK UP A NEW SKILL?
• If you have a desire to do it, just try it out.
• Make a commitment and stick to it.
• Find a good instructor.
• Set time aside to practice.
• For piano lessons, buy an electric keyboard to practice on before investing in a piano.
• Don’t give up.

Source: Melissa Westman, piano instructor and Tina Neese.