In this guest post, Clementine shares her own experiences of picking up the flute again after a long break, and restarting as an adult learner. I teach a lot of adults just like Clementine, and I thoroughly enjoy it - it is a privilege to share their musical journeys. They all bring their own experiences and insights to their lessons, and whilst they’re often nervous restarting, they quickly realise how much they remember.

I started having flute lessons when I was 10 years old. When I started secondary school, I carried on having lessons there, joined the school band, and eventually did my Grade 3 Flute exam. But - and yes, there’s a but, and it’s one you might relate to - I was 15 at the time, and I just decided that I didn’t really want to play the flute anymore. I was a teenager, and I wanted to do something different, so I started having drum lessons.

My flute ended up being put back in its case and into storage for as long as I can remember. Occasionally, I would come across it, and I remember thinking ‘if only I had carried on playing.’ I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve said this to myself over the years.

Reflective moment during a flute lesson, illustrating the journey of an adult learner in music

I played the drums for many years, and I also took violin lessons. But deep down, learning to play the flute again was always in the back of my mind. It was an instrument that I had grown up playing and one I had lovely memories of. I think I just assumed that I probably wouldn’t have lessons again - I wasn’t really sure who I could find to teach me or if it was possible, and my flute ended up staying in its case.

Fast forward to now, and as you’ve probably already guessed, I’m playing the flute again! After about 16 years, my flute saw daylight. I must admit, it took a while to get back into the swing of playing again, but I’m so thankful that I was able to start learning to play again. Who knows, I may even work towards doing a graded exam again!

Sadly, my flute had seen better days and was well over 20 years old! With David’s help, I chose a brand new Yamaha YFL212 flute from Just Flutes - it was within my budget, has such a lovely sound, and is a joy to play. I can finally get those bottom notes again!

I am keeping my original flute as, after all, it was my very first instrument and I do feel quite attached to it - but the new one has made such a difference to my playing.

Clementine playing the flute during an adult music lesson, reflecting the experience of learning music later in life

By having flute lessons again as an adult learner, it has taught me a lot, especially about myself, and I would love to share some of those thoughts with you in the hope they may encourage you too.

By picking up my flute again and playing it, I realised just how much I remembered. I know some of my first thoughts were ‘what if I have completely forgotten how to play it’, ‘what if I have forgotten how to read flute music’, 'I'm going to have to go right back to the beginning’…and so on. But as soon as I picked up my flute, I realised just how much I could remember, and it’s actually surprising how quickly the rest came back to me.

Yes, I had to revisit some of the basics - which is never a bad thing - but the more I played, the more it felt comfortable, the more I learned, and the love and joy I once had for playing the flute returned. It helped to put all of those negative thoughts straight in the bin.

There’s something really special about picking up an instrument after so many years and playing it again. It’s always good to remember why you started learning in the first place and this has been a good reminder for me.

Returning to the flute as an adult learner, a moment of concentration and rediscovery through music

It also helped me to challenge myself, to do something I perhaps didn’t think I would do again. It’s given me something else to work on, and it’s definitely been great for my mental health - I even volunteered to play in a couple of carol services at church. I also joined Davids’ flute choir! I definitely didn’t think that I would be playing the flute in a band again, something I really loved to do.

I had also forgotten just how much playing the flute helped my asthma. Yes, really! I’ve heard people mention this before, but for me, it really does help my breathing. The exercises, along with learning to play different pieces with different techniques, helped a lot.

Playing the flute again as an adult learner has helped with a number of other things too. It’s helping me with my posture, especially as I have quite a painful neck at times. It also helps me to relax and unwind, learn new skills, make new friends, and meet people who also play the flute.

Adult flute student practising a piece, capturing the quiet focus of learning music as an adult

It’s also helping me to be more creative with music and to express myself. There’s probably lots more things that I could write about too, but I can honestly say, no matter what your age, it’s never too late to start learning an instrument again, or to even start learning an instrument from scratch.

Even as an adult learner or returner, the benefits and joy it brings are endless. If you’re thinking of picking up an instrument again after many years, or for the first time, I’d say do it!

I’d love to know if you’ve picked up an instrument again for the first time in many years, and what your experiences are? Leave a comment below.

Clementine runs her own business, Clementine Rose - marketing made simple, inspired by nature, for makers and creators. You can follow her on Instagram, and also subscribe to her Substack publication, Journal of Soulful Reflections.

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