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Reading Music
Learned to read music when I was 10. If a 10 year old can do it anyone can. Reading music isn't required but being able to opens up a lot of resources.
A Metronome
Few of us are born with the ability to keep a steady, specific tempo. Gotta learn somehow. Using a simple metronome does the trick.
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I also started to read music around 10 plus I have taken some theory courses. I agree being able to read music opens up a lot of doors. Plus a lot of my friends whom didn't learn to read music quit playing.
I also agree that you must learn to keep a steady tempo.