And I took a 28 year break. In the last 8 years, I've spend much money on lessons (I'm at two a week right now) and GAS. But I have nine gigs in four different bands/ensembles between now and the end of the year and on alto, tenor, bari, clarinet and bass clarinet, some for money. So maybe it was more of a matter of me being ready to take music seriously. Good luck and try to enjoy the journey; it's all about the journey.