81: A Simple Guide to Learning Music as an Adult

Ever thought it’s too late to pick up an instrument or learn to sing? Think again.

In this episode, I sat down with Tara Brueske—professional musician, voice and piano coach, and all-around creative powerhouse—to explore how music can bring joy, healing, and a powerful sense of self-expression at any stage of life. Whether you're curious about dusting off that childhood piano skill or you’ve always dreamed of singing with confidence, Tara shares how approachable (and affordable!) it really is to get started.

We dive deep into her journey as a lifelong musician, her 30+ years of teaching, and the simple steps anyone can take to reintroduce music into their life—even if it’s been decades. From affordable keyboards to community choirs, Tara offers practical, encouraging advice for making music part of your everyday joy.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• Why it’s never too late to start learning music

• Creative ways to get started without breaking the bank

• How community choirs and local programs can help you test the waters

• What to look for in online vs. in-person lessons

• How music impacts your mental and emotional well-being

• Tips for beginners who don’t read music

• The surprising benefits of adult voice and instrument lessons

🎶 Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, a way to reduce stress, or a confidence boost, music might be exactly what your soul needs. I hope this episode encourages you to take that first step—your creative spark is worth it. Tune in and be inspired!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Where to find Tara: ⁠Website⁠

• Tara’s free gift: ⁠The Singer’s Hub

• Never miss a HobbyScool event. Join our free newsletter and be the first to know when the next online learning virtual summit launches. ⁠See the full schedule here.

How to Start Playing Music Again (Even If It’s Been 30 Years)

Ever find yourself thinking, “I wish I had stuck with piano” or “I’ve always wanted to sing, but it’s probably too late now”? If so, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not too late. I recently had the chance to chat with Tara Brueske, a seasoned musician and teacher who’s helping adults of all ages rediscover the joy of music. Whether you’re 35 or 75, if the idea of making music lights something up inside you, it’s absolutely worth exploring.

Tara has over 30 years of experience teaching voice and piano, and what I loved most about our conversation was her approachable, judgment-free encouragement. Music isn’t just for kids or professionals—it’s a hobby that can reduce stress, build confidence, and bring real joy into your everyday life.

Why It’s Never Too Late to Start

One of the biggest misconceptions adults have is that music is something you had to start as a child. But Tara shared incredible stories of students who began lessons in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s—some of whom had never sung in front of anyone before. The truth is, your voice and creativity don’t expire. If anything, adults tend to bring more emotion, focus, and intention to their music practice.

Tara’s philosophy is simple: if music brings you joy, it deserves a place in your life.

Getting Started Without a Huge Investment

You don’t need a baby grand or a fancy studio to begin. For piano, Tara recommends an affordable keyboard (at least 66 keys and touch-sensitive), which you can often find for around $100–150. And if you’re lucky, you might even snag a free upright piano through Facebook Marketplace or a local community group.

For singing? Your instrument is built in. You can start by joining a local choir (many are free), participating in a holiday church performance, or even warming up your voice using Tara’s free vocal exercises (more on that below).

In-Person vs. Online Lessons: What’s Right for You?

The good news is that both options work beautifully—it just depends on your lifestyle. Tara now teaches primarily online and shared how she uses tools like the Muey platform to provide high-quality audio and personal feedback. Whether you live in a big city or a rural area, the right teacher is now just a Zoom call away.

In-person lessons still offer that physical connection and hands-on adjustment, especially useful for piano technique. But for convenience and access, online lessons open the door to far more possibilities.

What If You Don’t Read Music?

Here’s a myth that stops so many people before they even begin: “I don’t know how to read music.” Tara was clear—you don’t need to know how to read music to start. Many of her students begin by playing or singing by ear and learn notation slowly over time. Just like learning a language, you can start by listening and mimicking before diving into grammar rules.

Music theory and sight-reading can come later, if you want them to. But they’re not prerequisites to simply enjoying and making music.

How Music Boosts Your Confidence and Mental Health

This part of our conversation really stayed with me. Tara told stories of students who felt invisible in their daily lives—until they began taking lessons and found their voices again. One woman in her 70s told Tara that singing lessons gave her permission to be heard, both literally and figuratively. Another student who couldn’t carry a tune at first worked consistently and eventually sang confidently in front of an audience.

Music activates both sides of the brain. It boosts endorphins, helps with focus, reduces anxiety, and brings people back to themselves. Especially during tough life seasons, it can be a healing and grounding force.

You Don’t Need to Be Perfect—Just Start

If there’s one thing Tara wants you to know, it’s this: perfection isn’t the goal. Music doesn’t require you to practice seven days a week or aim for a concert performance. Just 15–20 minutes a day, three or four days a week, is enough to make real progress.

And if you’re still not sure? Try it for a few months. Give yourself a little space to see if it brings you joy—and if it doesn’t, that’s okay too. But you might just surprise yourself.

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Transcript:

[00:00:00]
Destini:
Tara is a professional musician, voice and piano coach, booking mentor, podcaster, songwriter, and recording artist. She teaches students of all ages, both in person and online. I’m so excited to chat with you today, Tara—this is a topic we’ve never covered before on the HobbyScool podcast!

Before we dive in, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you help people?

[00:00:40]
Tara:
Thank you, Destini! It’s so great to be here. I’ve been a musician my entire life. I come from a musical family—my mother was a piano teacher, organist, and choir director. I love encouraging people in their musical gifts. Whether it’s someone returning to music after years away or someone trying it for the first time, I believe it’s never too late to explore.

[00:02:00]
Destini:
That’s exactly why I wanted to have you on. Our audience loves exploring new hobbies. Let’s say someone wants to learn piano or singing—what’s the first step?

[00:02:30]
Tara:
For piano, the first step is getting an instrument. Keyboards are a great low-cost option—look for one with at least 66 keys and touch sensitivity. You can find decent ones for around $100–150. Another option is to look for free acoustic pianos—people often give them away on Facebook Marketplace. You’ll need to pay for moving and tuning, but it’s still affordable.

For singing, the investment is even lower—your voice is your instrument. You can start by joining a church or community choir, many of which are free. There are also online or in-person private teachers available everywhere.

[00:05:00]
Destini:
Yes! I gave my old piano away for free too. And I hadn’t even thought of a keyboard as a starter instrument. That’s a great tip.

[00:05:40]
Tara:
It really is. And for parents wondering about lessons for their kids, keyboards are a great place to start before investing in something more expensive.

[00:06:00]
Destini:
Let’s talk voice lessons—especially around the holidays. Are there community choirs or groups that folks could join?

[00:06:20]
Tara:
Absolutely! Community centers and local education programs often offer group classes or choir opportunities. Community theater is another great option—I once performed in The Sound of Music with a local group. Many choirs only rehearse for seasonal performances, so it’s a limited commitment and a great way to test the waters.

[00:07:50]
Destini:
Do people need to know how to read music to participate?

[00:08:00]
Tara:
Not at all. In my church choir, we have singers who don’t read music, but they learn by listening. If you do take private lessons, there are beginner books to help you learn theory at your own pace. Music uses both sides of the brain—pitch and emotion come from one side, structure and reading from the other. You can absolutely learn as you go.

[00:10:00]
Destini:
That’s really encouraging. I have a friend who plays entirely by ear!

[00:10:20]
Tara:
Exactly. Some people are incredibly gifted that way. And with lessons, you can train your ear too.

[00:10:50]
Destini:
Can music really help reduce stress? What have you seen with your students?

[00:11:00]
Tara:
Absolutely. One student started voice lessons at 75 and continued until she was 82. It gave her confidence in both her singing and speaking voice. Another student—he couldn’t match pitch at first—stuck with it and eventually sang in a recital. Music boosts endorphins, oxygenates your blood, and uplifts your mood. Singing engages your whole body and spirit.

[00:12:30]
Destini:
I love that—singing gave her a voice. So powerful. Tell us about learning online vs. in person. Can it really work?

[00:13:00]
Tara:
Yes! Most of my lessons are online now. I use a platform called Muey, which was built for musicians. It gives high-quality sound and lets me observe students closely. Online is convenient and opens up access to great teachers regardless of location. In-person is great too—especially for younger learners who benefit from hands-on instruction. It really depends on your preference and learning style.

[00:15:00]
Destini:
So helpful. Final thoughts? What would you want someone to walk away with today?

[00:15:30]
Tara:
You’re never too old to start. My mom learned violin in her 60s. I picked up cello in my 30s. Whether it’s for personal joy or stress relief, music adds value to life. You don’t need to practice daily—three to four focused sessions a week is enough. And if you’re curious about lessons, give it a few months before deciding if it’s right for you.

[00:16:30]
Destini:
Beautiful advice. Where can people find you—and tell us about your free gift?

[00:16:45]
Tara:
You can find me at tarabrueske.com—it’s spelled B-R-U-E-S-K-E—and on Instagram and Facebook at @tarabrueskemusic. I also have a free resource called The Singer’s Hub. It includes MP3 warm-ups and tips for starting a singing practice.

[00:17:30]
Destini:
Perfect. We’ll include all of those links in the show notes. Thank you so much for joining me, Tara!

Tara:
Thank you, Destini! This was so fun.