I think that's a good insight, unit. As soon as I started reading your post, I thought of another mad late-life undertaking of mine, playing the fiddle/violin (I sort of clumsily straddle styles). My personal axiom is that the violin can smell fear. It can't literally cut you like a straight razor if you mishandle it, but it can make your ears bleed. That balance between confidence and trepidation that the barber spoke of can be elusive, but it's a great thing to strive for.
~Rich