Learning something really difficult anyone?

Nelliemoser - have you tried logging on to Cyberbass or Choralia. I sing in a choir and have little musical knowledge but these 2 sites enable you to sing along with your particular part, whilst the rest of the music is going on in the background. I use it all the time and it's really helpful. Good luck!

Last year I completed a beginners' class in the Maori language which is very different from any of the other languages (all European) that I speak. As the two-and-a-half-hour class is conducted almost totally in te reo Maori with almost no English spoken, it is certainly challenging. Unfortunately, because of changes to the system, I am unable to follow on with the second year. I am hoping to join a different class.

The rumba (one-two-three-and.....). Good exercise, a good laugh and does wonders for posture and balance

German. Mein Gott, not easy. Bird study with one group and field studies with another.

I've bought a Celtic harp and self teach book. I've looked at the book --------------------

You are all learning impressively brainy things! I've started learning Hoop Dancing with a hula hoop... great fun and quite a challenge!!

at you learning the pipe organ, grannyrose.

I'm also learning church pipe organ, JackieB. Feet are quite a challenge, but after 30+ years of very occasional pedals, I'm now trying to do it properly with a jolly, youthful teacher. No intention of taking any exams, just enabling singing in local church and the odd party piece. Great fun and much practicing!

Am learning, albeit slowly, to knit. I'm not one of life's natural knitters but am determined to 'crack it'

It is funny really JessM. Before I started the U3A Spanish course I had always translated betwen English and Spanish and hadn't really thought about the impact the French would have on the process. Obviously French and Spanish are much closer (when it doubt stick an o or a on end of French word ) and that does help, but he asks what something means and the English pops into my head and then I have to find the French word....
I think it would be OK if he didn't mumble so much, others in the class have trouble understanding him too and they are native French speakers.
I come out after 90 minutes and my brain huuurts....

Through family history I discovered a second cousin in South Africa - and at the same time that I knew absolutely nothing about the country or its history.....mow that was a steep learning curve, so as not to make a fool of myself!

on to my 3rd photoshop course. Bound to be a challenge for the over 60s mind!

Philosophy. I have just finished a course on the existentialists. Pretty challenging but fascinating.

I will never be a fluent French speaker but still working hard to get somewhere near to that. From time to time I will read a novel in the French language but have to admit that it does not hold the same pleasure as reading in English. The Duo-Lingo website is starting a Greek language course some time this year so may give that a try as Greece is still a favourite holiday destination.

Just taught myself to crochet.

But my fantasy is to be able to play the saxophone which may prove beyond the scope of my capabilities.
Who knows!

Learning Spanish through the medium of French. Respect. I find it hard enough when my teachers teach us through the medium of rapid Cymraeg. My frontal lobes throb sometimes.
I think sight reading for singing is a lot harder than sight reading for an instrument. With an instrument e.g. piano its very straightforward - you perform the right mechanical action and the right note comes out. Much harder when it's just you and your larynx.
Intersting Stansgran is that to do with the pace of change these days? Time was when older women were a repository of useful experience and skills but did not have to keep on learning new stuff.

Charleygirl - Firestick??? only just worked out the memory stick. I went to a careers interview years ago and they said my ideal career would be a solicitor but the amount of study put me off.

nellie I did actually have a quick google, but couldn't find anything. I know these things exist, though, as I know people who've used them.

I'll have another try.

gettingonabit Do you have any idea where these overlays are from or what they are called?

I met met someone on who had some postit type tape to lay along a line of music but it can damage the very old cheap paper that some of the older hired scores have.
I have thought of photocopying some scores and tippexing out the notes on my line that I am not singing.

Me too Stansgran, a daily minefield !!

I still find perfectly ordinary everyday life a steep learning curve.

Falconbird you are like me, technologically challenged. Simple things like a Firestick or whatever it is called is beyond me.

I would like to study law but the sheer expense is very off putting.

I spent the greater part of the past 4 years learning to play the church organ. Organists are badly needed and it seemed to be a good idea at the time. I stayed the course but failed the exam miserably (and deservedly).

Up until a few years ago I was learning Polish. I got quite far but only so far as I could get with the tapes, which I listened to when cycling to work. This stopped when I discovered podcasts, and also I came to an impasse because I wasn't doing the bookwork to go with it. Still, I would like to pick it up again, and at least I have quite good pronunciation.

Learning languages isn't really difficult for me - I loved French at school and have gone on to learn several more since. What would be really difficult for me would be something like astronomy. There is just so much of it out there and I'd be scared I would never know it all!

May sound easy to some but since I've been a widow I've been grappling with a TV, a smart phone, a tablet and trying to put in a new hand held phone.

It's sooo hard for my particular kind of brain and some folk seem to find it really easy.

Also been struggling with door locks and keys. My apartment has so many keys it's mind bending - bike shed keys, meter keys and widow keys. Also been struggling with central heating system, fan assisted oven, air extractor etc.,

I also had to move house twice and each time the nightmare of all the above.

DH and I once spent a Winter learning Czech at evening classes. We had both felt ashamed a year earlier, on a trip to Prague at our inability to communicate, (both of us speaking 2 languages other than our own).
It was challenging but satisfying and totally vindicated a year later when we spent a further week in Prague and I found myself in deep conversation (?) with an old codger in a distinctly non- touristy pub.
I am not sure of all he said, even less what I might have said , but we got by and I felt very proud that I had "had a go"!

Inspirational, all of you!