Beginner at 56

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Permalink Reply by Keith (Co-Founder Of GPU) on August 9, 2008 at 11:57am

That's awesome! Im not in my 50's but I have found that learning the guitar is one of the most rewarding things that I have done to date. Best of luck, hope this site helps you with your journey.

Keith

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Permalink Reply by oldgreydog on August 9, 2008 at 11:12pm

Thanks for the nice welcome Keith. So far the video's have been great! I just need to set time aside to practice . I love the fact that I can sit at my computer and my guitar instructor is right here in front of me.

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Permalink Reply by Brad on August 24, 2008 at 7:24am

Since there doesn't appear to be many "older" beginners I applaud you for taking this up. I am 55 and started playing Dec. of 2007. My work continues to eat into my practice time, so I took my stratocaster to work and practice on breaks and at lunch. Sometimes I think I have progressed a lot, and other times wonder if I will ever be satisfied with my playing. I too do this for my own pleasure. No visions of playing for money. I have two sons that play and a stepson that plays. They all think I have lost my mind. I bought three guitars to give me a variety of sounds to keep things interesting.
I wouldn't worry about anyone laughing at you. If you raised two boys you deserve the right to try anything you want and can afford!

Brad

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Permalink Reply by oldgreydog on August 24, 2008 at 9:52am

Thanks Brad, I bought two nice guitars myself from my son's music shop. Their both Acoustic guitars.The first one I bought I really liked the sound of it ,until I got it home and found it was to big for me as a beginner. I had a hard time getting my arm around it .But I didn't want to look like an idiot so I just kept it in the hopes that when I do learn to play I can play it. So I ended up going back and buying a studio or parlor guitar I think my son called it. He said this one would be easier for me to use.

I have the same problem as you ,finding time to practice is impossible. It's not fair, one would think that as you get older , you would have plenty of time to waste. I went back to work right after the kids got into high school and I now I find it impossible to retire yet. I can retire in 4 years and then I'll have plenty of free time, but by then I'll be in my 60's and if I walk away from my job at my age I will never get another job that pays this well for someone at my age and no college . I choose a job and passed up a career .


Brad ,what is a stratocaster ? I did see something once that looked like something one would use to practice on to get finger placement right. It looked like just the neck of the guitar with strings and frets on it. Is that what your talking about?

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Permalink Reply by Brad on August 24, 2008 at 10:19am

I fully understand your situation. I too never obtained a degree and have spent 30 years working my way to my present position. My wife has her masters, works for the state, and makes 1/2 what I do. I couldn't leave unless I want to accept something far less than what I have now. Retirement? Only if we decide to scale back considerably, which doesn't sound as bad as it once did. No one wants to hire 55 yearold men.

I lean towards the electric guitars. The one at work is a Fender Stratocaster. It is an electric. At home I play a Gibson Les Paul Studio, a Fender Telecaster, and an Ibanez Artcor AG75, all electrics also. My wife has a 40 year old Epiphone acoustic. I play it occasionally, but really enjoy the electrics. i have a small amplifier box that runs off a 9 volt battery and you must use with headphones to practice with at work. No one can laugh because they cannot hear it.

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Permalink Reply by Marshall McCoy on January 14, 2009 at 4:58pm

I'm 50 and just starting as well and i think its great. We older people may like different styles of music than the young'uns but we can still learn how to play and you will be amazed at the amount of help you'll find on this site!

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Permalink Reply by Steve on January 21, 2009 at 9:59am

Well good for you!

I'm relieved and pleased to find someone around my own age, who is also starting to learn the guitar.
It's something I always wanted to do, however never found the time to do it, till now.
I used to have a cheap crappy guitar when I was about 10 years old and learned to play a few open chords and never got any further than that.

A couple of weeks ago, I made a conscious decision to learn to play and understand the guitar, since I now have the time, motivation and all the resources at my fingertips.
Thanks to the efforts of both Keith & Drew , it looks like I'm off to a good start.

Who said you can't teach an "old dog" new tricks? ;)

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Permalink Reply by Michael F. on February 12, 2009 at 12:22am

Hi! Just saw your discussion. I always wanted to play, but like you, life got in the way. I'm 53 and started about 5 years ago. There's alot to learn, but I've figured out that even the most experienced players don't know all there is. I read an article that told how Eric Clapton, in his 60s (can't believe it) is just getting comfortable about his playing now...There's many moments when you will be frustrated, but hang in there...it'll happens. This has been a great site to help get me out of my comfort zone. I just started doing some videos on my laptop. Not great, but it's been fun. Welcome to GPU!

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Permalink Reply by Joe on May 27, 2009 at 11:11pm

Hello :) Well now seems like my very first time.....been at it a week now or has it been two?..hahaha. I am doing it for the enjoymeant. Like you, I always wanted to be able to sit on "a" front porch and play a simple tune that I like. Some thing nice about this site, they don't laugh at you! But hey, we will laugh with you :) Wow just looked up.... and this was started in August..08.. Question how we doing now ? Me, I have got to the sore finger stage.....so still very beginner here :)

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Permalink Reply by Rick on May 31, 2009 at 11:59pm

Hi, I'm 46 and don't expect to do any more than make the music from the guitar that I want to hear (if that makes sense). I sold some of my toys from a different hobby to buy some guitars that I really appreciate, so that I will keep interested, and have been having fun playing for 6 months now.
Don't ever feel that someone will not think you are learning it fast enough. Everyone practices for different amounts, and perfects things for different amounts of time, so just have fun with it. One thing I did to play an acoustic quietly was use a Yamaha silent guitar, but a less costly option would be a basic electric with one of those headphone mini amps.

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Permalink Reply by Michele on June 1, 2009 at 7:36am

Well I'm 43 this year and a beginner. Like Steve, I learned a couple of open chords as a kid (but couldn't change between them without stopping) and then did nothing for more than 30 years. Finally, I decided to pick it up after seeing the free lessons that come with Garage Band. Then one thing lead to another - I found this site (which I LOVE) and I feel like I'm starting to make progress. I have a really busy job so I too don't get as much time as I'd like to practice - mostly on the weekends. But hell who cares I'm enjoying it.

I hope you are too.

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Permalink Reply by John Litz on June 12, 2009 at 6:48pm

Well I will be 48 in December and last Maech I bought a Ibanez acoustic guitar for 299.00 and I love it. I cant tell you how much fun I have had with this not to mention all of the new doors it has opened. I just purchased my first electric guitar a Fender Strat with a line6 amp just to start playing the blues with and I cant believe how much fun that has been. I have along way to go but I love every minute of it. Hang in there don't forget it is supose to be fun,Good Luck

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