The reality is that playing any instrument with non-trivial competence is really fucking hard. You're not joking either! I played trumpet when I was in MS/HS.

The reality is that playing any instrument with non-trivial competence is really fucking hard. You're not joking either! I played trumpet when I was in MS/HS. Sure, you can play simple songs at your first concert after 3 months of playing - but it takes 3-5 years to get competent, not an expert mind you, but competent. I started playing guitar as an older adult. Same story. You can start playing songs starting with lesson 1. This is great! Look at all the progress I'm making! I'm on year 7 now and I'm just starting to get to the point where I'd say yeah, I'm good. Not great, but good. To your point, it takes a long time to master an instrument and no one has discovered a short cut. It's hard work. On another note, once you appreciate the work it takes to not just become good but become great at playing an instrument then support those who've dedicated their lives to becoming great. Otherwise it's a skill humanity is going to lose over time and that would be really sad.