I can go for days without picking up an instrument but, if I'm learning a new piece to perform - say a guitar piece - then I'll play it constantly all day and for several days until I know I can walk into a performance venue and play it absolutely confidently.

It takes me between 30 minutes and two hours to "get" the piece, depending on the complexity, but it could be weeks before I can say to myself that's it performable in public. Occasionally I'll knock something off in the morning and perform it the same evening - but that's probably because it's a form or genre I've done lots of times before!

Age means nothing to me - I'm 70 next year and picking things up quicker than ever before. That I attribute solely to having retired from day job 4 years ago - I now have the leisure and the time to do just what I want - which was purely an evening job for 40+ years!

Of course, Age will get me as it gets everyboy, so I just get on with it and enjoy the time I have.