ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief discussion of the philosophies of lifelong learning and adult education. It explores informal, nonformal and formal learning, by providing examples of such musical learning situations. The chapter then explores serious music learning, recreational music making and other learning situations along the continuum between these two contexts. It highlights the value of process over product and transformational learning for many adult students. Informal learning is self-directed and largely unstructured, it occurs regularly and may take place in the home, in unconventional locations and online. While formal learning in music is organized by institutions and educators, it can take many forms and be situated anywhere along a continuum from recreational to serious. Although the majority of adult leisure learners who study music will be more process-oriented, there are adults who do count performance as a personal goal. Transformational learning can occur following a life change, which is when many adults begin or return to formal music lessons.
