Like Hugh Muir, I took up piano late in life – age 60, with no previous music training (I’m no piano man, 23 May). I gave up grades after passing grade two, as I found that I became so nervous, shaking and with my hands sweating that I could barely play! And this after a working life of giving talks, training people, and being confident.
I carried on playing and having lessons for eight years, but finally threw in the towel last year, having realised that without a huge amount of practice I would never become very competent. I rather miss it, but life is certainly now too short!
Keep playing, Hugh, while it gives you pleasure, but us older lot don’t need grades.
Lindsay Rough
Watford, Hertfordshire
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