When I talk to friends and family members about what’s on their “list,” many say they want to learn an instrument. It’s often the same one, too—the piano and guitar seem to make the top of the list quite frequently. I, too, have an instrument or two on my list—the piano and bagpipes, actually.

Back in middle school, when the chance to learn an instrument was offered, I tried to take it. I wanted to pound the drums, envisioning myself the first female member of AC/DC (yes, today I see how masochistic that would be… I also wanted to shave my head and join the White Sox.). Alas, my family’s budget would not allow for such stuffs.

I was allowed to join the choir, though; your voice is an instrument that has no costs, except for the occasional box of Sucrets during cold and flu season. And you know, those ten years of choir gave me some of my fondest memories.  My junior high choir instructor—by far my favorite—frequently reminded us that the voice itself was an instrument that was much more difficult to control than any other. Saxophones don’t come down with puberty or laryngitis, after all.

As proud as I am of my choir experience, I’d still love to learn to play a non-vocal instrument someday. (I suppose that leaves the kazoo out?) Here’s how I plan to go about it.

1. Find a Teacher. I know the local community college offers a class, and that would be awesome—but it would also be cool to find something open on weekends, as our schedule is pretty busy in the week. I can scour the Yellowpages or Craigslist for such a person.
2. Acquire the Instrument. A piano is pretty expensive, so I’d better wait to make sure I’m “serious.” Getting one used is probably the way to go—Craigslist again?
3. Practice, practice, practice. Carving out time will be the hardest part. Maybe do it while my daughter is at preschool? Working with my instructor on the number of dates—and amount of time needed—would probably be a good strategy, too.

Has anyone else embarked upon learning a new instrument “later in life”? How did you go about it? If you have any tips or tricks, please pass them on to the rest of us fledgling musicians who are anxious to learn, too.