what i need proved quoting reliable sources is that three adults of
more than average intelligence can learn to play a musical instrument
as well as an average performer within three months provided they are
given adequate instruction 40 hours a week and they have the desire to
succeed

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Clarification of Question by educatedask-ga on 14 Oct 2003 10:02 PDT

lets consider an average performer a member of a local band that would
play at bars and parties , as far as instruments how about the guitar
or drums

Hmm, it takes more than academic intelligence!  You need a feel for
rhythm and pitch, the right degree of brain-body coordination and
other characteristics that will depend on the instrument selected.

With respect to "the average performer", it depends who you mean. You
would certainly not reach the level of an average professional
classical musician. Apart from considering the length of study
involved, you are already somewhat hindered by the fact that you are
starting as an adult rather than as a child.

Perhaps a more focused question might help provide a more focused answer.

(e.g. I imagine learning to play a ukulele is much easier than say a piano)

As a musician myself, I'd say that 3 months' even at 10 hours per day,
is not enough time to catch up with someone of average musical
competence who has been playing for 5 years or more (even if the
student is of above average musical ability).

That doesn't mean that you couldn't learn the parts of a gig set in 3
months though, well enough to play live--you can. I've taught people
who could play nothing to play the bass in a 45 min rock set in 2
months. But the difference is that outside of that set--they couldn't
play anything else!, whereas a true, seasoned musician can adapt on
the fly to whatever situation.

omniscientbeing-ga
Google Answers Researcher