OLD SCHOOL
Reader's Digest Canada|December 2020
I started playing the trumpet at 42. Why learning new skills as an adult is easier—and more fun—than you think.
Rebecca Philps
OLD SCHOOL

LAST FEBRUARY, before the world went into lockdown, I sat in a cramped waiting room with about 10 other people, all under age 12. “I’m dyyying!!” I texted my friend, shaking with silent laughter. “What am I doing here?!”

Here was a music academy, and I was about to take my first trumpet lesson. Learning to play was something I had talked about for years, for no reason other than I thought it would be fun. But it wasn’t until my husband gave me a trumpet for Christmas that I got the final push to give it a try.

I was floundering. In three years I’d had two kids, left a full-time job to freelance, and we’d moved across the country. I wanted something that was invigorating, a little out of left field and, most importantly, just for me.

I’ve never mastered a musical instrument before and had lived with the quiet shame of being called tone deaf since I was a kid (I’m not, for the record). But there I was at 42, throwing my lot in with a bunch of preteen mini Mozarts. I was simultaneously nervous and thrilled by the idea of starting something new.

It had been years since I’d tried a hobby in which I had no background, no connections, no baseline knowledge. I was curious to see if I could hack it. As it turned out, I could—and with a few simple tips, so can anyone.

EMBRACE DISCOMFORT AND HAVE FUN

This story is from the December 2020 edition of Reader's Digest Canada.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2020 edition of Reader's Digest Canada.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

FEATURED STORIESView All
The AUDACITY of LORRAINE O'GRADY
Harper's BAZAAR - US

The AUDACITY of LORRAINE O'GRADY

At 89, the eternally PUNK-ROCK PERFORMANCE and CONCEPTUAL ARTIST still gets a kick out of CRASHING art-world parties. Only now she's the GUEST of HONOR.

time-read
7 mins  |
April 2024
REGINA'S Resolve
Harper's BAZAAR - US

REGINA'S Resolve

REGINA KING on LEARNING to LIVE with LOSS, the LEGACY of SHIRLEY CHISHOLM, and finding a WAY FORWARD

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2024
What PADMA Wants
Harper's BAZAAR - US

What PADMA Wants

After almost two decades of TOP CHEF, the beloved HOST and cookbook AUTHOR is figuring out WHAT COMES NEXT

time-read
9 mins  |
April 2024
IN CONVERSATION - JESSICA LANGE and PAULA VOGEL
Harper's BAZAAR - US

IN CONVERSATION - JESSICA LANGE and PAULA VOGEL

Actor JESSICA LANGE and playwright PAULA VOGEL on their new BROADWAY PRODUCTION, MOTHER PLAY, creating and portraying COMPLICATED WOMEN, and the FUTURE of THEATER

time-read
7 mins  |
April 2024
Doing Things the Right Way
Residential Tech Today

Doing Things the Right Way

Retired Super Bowl Winning Head Coach Mike Shanahan Stays Connected to the Game

time-read
10 mins  |
Vol5/Issue 3
Embracing Energy Management
Residential Tech Today

Embracing Energy Management

How San Diego-based Lightworks is Supporting Savant's Vision for Smart Home Power

time-read
4 mins  |
Vol5/Issue 3
A Real Sliding Doors Moment
Residential Tech Today

A Real Sliding Doors Moment

My Experience Installing the SmartSlydr Motorized Sliding Glass Door Opener

time-read
5 mins  |
Vol5/Issue 3
Expanding a Lighting Lineup
Residential Tech Today

Expanding a Lighting Lineup

DMF Launches Enhanced iX Series and DALI Controlled Light Modules

time-read
2 mins  |
Vol5/Issue 3
Creating Better Proposals
Residential Tech Today

Creating Better Proposals

How Specifi IO’s New Proposal Tool was Built for the CI Channel

time-read
6 mins  |
Vol5/Issue 3
A Smart Home Dashboard
Residential Tech Today

A Smart Home Dashboard

Savant Introduces Home Manager Dashboard with System Visibility for Homeowners

time-read
1 min  |
Vol5/Issue 3
Pop-up Laser TV
Residential Tech Today

Pop-up Laser TV

Screen Innovations Adds Motorized Ultra Short Throw Projector Lift

time-read
1 min  |
Vol5/Issue 3
Elevating Service and Support in NYC
Residential Tech Today

Elevating Service and Support in NYC

Lean Business Practices Pay Off in a Tough New York Market for Elevated Integration

time-read
3 mins  |
Vol5/Issue 3
On to the Next Episode
Residential Tech Today

On to the Next Episode

Snap One Refreshes Episode Home Theater Speaker Line with New Materials and Capabilities

time-read
2 mins  |
Vol5/Issue 3
Mike Shanahan's Super Bowl Caliber Integrated Home
Residential Tech Today

Mike Shanahan's Super Bowl Caliber Integrated Home

Tyson Rabani, owner of Denverbased custom integrator QAV, was introduced to Mike Shanahan and his wife Peggy as a referral from their home’s builder.

time-read
3 mins  |
Vol5/Issue 3
The Strength of Consumer Tech Spending
Residential Tech Today

The Strength of Consumer Tech Spending

Enthusiasm for Connected Devices Rises in the Face of Economic Difficulty

time-read
2 mins  |
Vol5/Issue 3
Designing Immersive Luxury Environments
Residential Tech Today

Designing Immersive Luxury Environments

The Lutron Luxury Experience App Enables Users to Take an Immersive, Virtual Journey Through Lutron Lighting, Shades, and Controls.

time-read
1 min  |
Vol5/Issue 3
Choosing the Best Streaming Service
Residential Tech Today

Choosing the Best Streaming Service

Balancing the Correct Combination of Devices and Content Sources Based on Your Viewing Preferences

time-read
7 mins  |
Vol5/Issue 3
Automating Gas Fireplace Control
Residential Tech Today

Automating Gas Fireplace Control

How Bond Bridge, Shelly, or Aqara FP2 Can Help Fulfill a Common Integration Request

time-read
3 mins  |
Vol5/Issue 3
A Quantum Leap for Video Walls
Residential Tech Today

A Quantum Leap for Video Walls

Quantum Media Systems Achieves DCI Compliance of Its XDR3 LED Video Wall

time-read
2 mins  |
Vol5/Issue 3
Creating a Stress-Free Network
Residential Tech Today

Creating a Stress-Free Network

NETGEAR Launches PR460X with Insight Remote Cloud Management

time-read
1 min  |
Vol5/Issue 3
Don't Come To My Meeting
Entrepreneur US

Don't Come To My Meeting

As CEO, I've created an unusual meeting policy at my company. It helps build a culture of respect, agency - and substantial productivity, too.

time-read
2 mins  |
Startups - Spring 2024
What's Your Ghost Job?
Entrepreneur US

What's Your Ghost Job?

It's one of your five jobs. And if you want to find meaning at work, you must identify all of them.

time-read
5 mins  |
Startups - Spring 2024
When Life Is Preparation
Entrepreneur US

When Life Is Preparation

Vanesa Ellis was no expert on mosquitoes or lawn care. But as it turns out, something else made her the perfect fit for two home-care franchise brands.

time-read
2 mins  |
Startups - Spring 2024
Serving the Underserved
Entrepreneur US

Serving the Underserved

When Dennis Johnson opened a Pizza Ranch in Minnesota, he hoped to serve the nearby Native American communities in more ways than one.

time-read
2 mins  |
Startups - Spring 2024
green goddess
Architectural Digest US

green goddess

Legendary supermodel Amber Valletta turns to designer Ross Cassidy to help craft a truly sustainable new home in LA

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2024
CITY OF TOMORROW
Architectural Digest US

CITY OF TOMORROW

As Copenhagen builds on its sustainable success, architect Dan Stubbergaard is championing innovative public spaces and neighborhoods for generations to come

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2024
CALI HIGH
Architectural Digest US

CALI HIGH

Architect Cayley Lambur transforms an iconic Big Sur property into a multigenerational haven that nurtures work and life

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2024
HOW ONE MOM & POP SHOP EXPANDED 2,700 TIMES
Entrepreneur US

HOW ONE MOM & POP SHOP EXPANDED 2,700 TIMES

Jersey Mike's famously began as a single shop owned by a teenager. Now it's everywhere. How exactly does that happen?

time-read
10 mins  |
Startups - Spring 2024
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEW ROSTER LIMITS
Baseball America

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEW ROSTER LIMITS

No one can fully predict what will happen with the reduced 165-player minor league roster limits, but baseball officials weighed in with predictions for 2024, some of which we heard repeatedly.

time-read
5 mins  |
March/April 2024
NO MORE SLACK IN THE SYSTEM
Baseball America

NO MORE SLACK IN THE SYSTEM

The in domestic minor leagues creates consternation for farm directors

time-read
6 mins  |
March/April 2024