If you gave up on music as a child...............

Actually I think the violin is harder than the piano...you need a really good ear to get the notes spot on and you can't make that mistake with a keyboard...
More power to your elbow Diane. Even scales are excellent to preserve finger movement as we get older. I got up to grade 6 (just about) but have lost most of it through neglect. Living on your own you can practise without annoying anybody - a great idea! Wish you every success.
S

I use to play the violin but had to give it up when I broke both of my hands...boxers fractures. The instrument that I took up to replace it is the hammer dulcimer. If you would like to learn and hear more about this wonderful musical instrument, there is a player in the UK who goes by the name of Dizzy Dulcimer I suggest you check her website out if you wish to.

Thank you Stera and Loosestrife. I think its worth giving it a try during these pre-miserable-weather-Spring-Gardening-bloody-Rugby days !
Have never heard of the Hammer Dulcimer. My grandfather named his daughter Dolce as its the musical term for Sweetness.
Will have a look on line.

I have never heard of the Hammer Dulcimer either. Have just Googled Dizzy Dulcimer, Loose Strife, and see she lives in Dorset. She has some YouTube videos which I have just checked out. Unusual.

Don't be intimidated by the looks of this musical instrument. Aside from its tuning (takes about 10 minutes using an electronic tuner), it is rather easy to get started and even a child can start playing simple tunes the very first day. Also, is a great way for anyone to learn to read music.

I heard it as a country dance once - thought it was great!

My aim is to combat Dementia and Altzheimers by reading music to make my brain keep working.
I had to drop out of Ukulele lessons as my left hand is too small to press chords. My Teacher's hands were half as big again as mine !
I bought the student Violin for £25 small ad. in a supermarket. Its been in the cupboard for 5 years since I had the back trouble.
Got it out this a.m. and found the 'finger board' (its the fret board on the Ukulele) is only half as wide, so my hand fits round it nicely.
Then found that the strings from left to right are
GDAE. When I started on the Ukulele I couldnt remember the string letters. This proves that reading music has helped me improve my memory retention. Marvellous !

I don't play any musical instrument, sadly, though I can play "There's no place like home" on the harmonica. Does that count?

Reading music has been proved to help the little grey cells.

In care homes residents with memory problems often remember all the lyrics of songs they love(d).

I am now doing one hour practice every day on the piano and one hour Scrabble. I attempt to get a high score at this. Both these activities are fine in the winter weather, and my memory retention is much improved.

That's really encouraging Diane - good news indeed. (Don't know where the blank reply above came from - this is my first attempt at a reply!)

Thank you everyone. Keep singing if you cant do anything else.

Well singing in a choir does involve sight reading the music so perhaps it will help my little grey cells too.