One day in the late 1990s, I put my viola in its case and put it under my bed. Since then I’ve moved at least half a dozen times and each time the viola case has been dusted off and then put straight back under my new bed. Then, in September 2011, I got it out and started to play. And it sounded really terrible. But I’d already told anyone who’d listen how I couldn’t wait to start playing the viola again, what pleasure it would give me, how it would encourage my children to like music etc, so it was too late to back out.

This blog is, in part, a way to keep me playing, (if I don’t play the viola I’ve got nothing to post) but mostly it is about coming back to music. It’s about what Pay the Piper aptly describes as the ‘immense personal satisfaction to be gained from attempting something slow and difficult and making a success of it’. And, as well as writing about what it’s like to learn an instrument as an adult, I’ll try to include information and news that adult learners might find interesting, and some thoughts and pointers for people who are keen to introduce their children to music.

NB This is not an expert blog about how to become a professional musician or have a career in music. I’m delighted if any pros are reading this, but I am most definitely not one. However, what I lack in expertise I will try to make up for in enthusiasm (and by referring you to people who do know what they’re talking about).

In real life I am a writer and editor. I live in London.