Anybody start playing the guitar later in life?

Lighten up Francis wrote:

A lot of great info here, although far more advanced than I can understand. I'd love to start as a total beginner, but when I read guys say that after a year they can play four chords and one song, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort. I may be completely naive but do you need to practice for years before you can play a few songs?

:) - well, if they can play 4 chords, then can play way more than one song. That's virtually the entire catalog of country music.

No, seriously, a year of solid regular practice and lessons with a good instructor should have someone changing chords in time, and comfortably playing a few tunes at least. For most people. But remember, some people, as with running, take to it much more easily than others.

If you want to start, start.

Lighten up Francis wrote:

A lot of great info here, although far more advanced than I can understand. I'd love to start as a total beginner, but when I read guys say that after a year they can play four chords and one song, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort. I may be completely naive but do you need to practice for years before you can play a few songs?

nah - I had absolutely zero musical background a year ago when I bought my first guitar, and after 2-3 months I could squeak out 10 songs.

The way to do it is to use sheets like this:

You'll notice that if you learn 3 chords you can play the song. and these are easy hand formations.

So go for it - I was actually surprised by how easy it was

Lighten up Francis wrote:

A lot of great info here, although far more advanced than I can understand. I'd love to start as a total beginner, but when I read guys say that after a year they can play four chords and one song, I'm wondering if it's worth the effort. I may be completely naive but do you need to practice for years before you can play a few songs?

Man, just do it! You can learn 4 chords in an hour and then play songs with those 4 (or even just 3 or 2) that same day (assuming you strum and do the singing). Takes longer to learn to play lead guitar (soloing).

Playing guitar is so FUN that you likely will not find that it's a lot of effort.

You start with these 4 chords:

C

G

Am

D

and you can play TONS of rock and pop songs.

Good luck.

malmo wrote:

http://www.songsterr.com/

They also have a mobile application.

That is one of the greatest sites out there.

I played a LOT in my younger days but gave it up after someone stole all my equipment. I'd pick it up for a day or two every couple years but just lost my heart in it. After about 15 years, 2 years ago I decided to pick up a classical guitar and give it a go because I'd always loved hearing segovia and williams. I started playing outside for a few hours each night and man is it tough. I know I can pick up the electric and things will come back but this is just enjoyable and relaxing. Keep at it!

I think the reissue SGs are going for about $1600 and you have a choice of lots of professional grade guitars for that price. If I were you I would try playing a bunch of different guitars and go more by the feel of the guitar than the tone from a video. A friend owned some Paul Reed Smith guitars and I thought they were fantastic, but like I said there are many choices in this price range. Most double coil pickups will sound fairly similar. I think the amp will have the most significant influence on the tone of a distorted guitar, so that's why I think the feel of the guitar is so important. Though, this guitar does use a really nice pickup: the Gibson PAF, which is basically the same pickup that Eddy Van Halen used.

Even thought you should try other guitars, the SG is a great guitar. I have a different model of SG and am very happy with it. The body is very thin and the top of it is sloped. The Les Paul, for example, has a thicker body and sharper edge on the top, and I think it's uncomfortable to have this edge against the forearm. The SG's light body also means it has a slightly thinner sound than a heavier guitar, but you really only notice that with a clean tone.

I think the reissue SGs are going for about $1600 and you have a choice of lots of professional grade guitars for that price. If I were you I would try playing a bunch of different guitars and go more by the feel of the guitar than the tone from a video. A friend owned some Paul Reed Smith guitars and I thought they were fantastic, but like I said there are many choices in this price range. Most double coil pickups will sound fairly similar. I think the amp will have the most significant influence on the tone of a distorted guitar, so that's why I think the feel of the guitar is so important. Though, this guitar does use a really nice pickup: the Gibson PAF, which is basically the same pickup that Eddy Van Halen used.

Even thought you should try other guitars, the SG is a great guitar. I have a different model of SG and am very happy with it. The body is very thin and the top of it is sloped. The Les Paul, for example, has a thicker body and sharper edge on the top, and I think it's uncomfortable to have this edge against the forearm. The SG's light body also means it has a slightly thinner sound than a heavier guitar, but you really only notice that with a clean tone.

5ker wrote:

I have plenty of time in the evenings and decided to learn how to play a guitar at 53. Anybody on here start playing around the same age? If so, did you learn yourself or take lessons or both?

I began playing at age 12 and I bought this model Yamaha Guitar new in 1972 age 17:

I played regularly and with friends for about 10 years and then in one of my frequent moves I put the thing away and hardly picked it up or played guitar at all for the next 20 years.

I am 59 now and I pulled it out of my basement about 2 years ago. I put new strings on it and started playing every day for at least 10 minutes. I could remember chords and even songs but it took a while to get the fingers back in shape.

I know it's a bit late to reply to this but if after a year you can't play more than 20 mins because of the pain that's insane. I seriously hope you switch to electric. I had an issue on an acoustic guitar where I didn't only get numbness but this odd fiery burning in one of my fingers that was 24/7 and it was heading a really bad way. I took some time off and I switched to an electric guitar and it was the best decision I made regarding guitars. It's so much more comfortable for me and it also means I can play more things I like, I'm happier with what I play and a lot of it wasn't possible on an acoustic guiatr (I'm not dissing acoustic guitars, just saying that a lot of the music I like isn't acoustic, although some of it is).

I hope it works out for you.

I started at the age of 30 and at first I was mainly interested in wiring pickups, changing hardware (tried all the telecaster bridges from https://musiety.com/the-best-telecaster-bridges/ and had about six sets of Seymour Duncans), but now this whole thing is not that interesting but playing is and I spend a lot of time with my guitar.

any advice

a few years ago i started playing guitar, i got a bass guitar bc i much preferred it and i loved playing, but it started to hurt my wrist (left wrist). as time went on the pain got more and more until i basically quit with frustration. i even tried to play with my opposite hand but it was too hard.

if i started again but i chose an acoustic guitar or i chose a different guitar would that help.

i had a dean mahogany bass, it weighed about 10kg, it was incredibly heavy, and i think this was part of what caused the pain. there was a 3/4 plastic one that i actually wish i'd got instead.

Old thread.

I started playing mandolin about 8 months ago. I've take two courses of lessons.

I can pick a bunch of fiddle tunes. A couple of Beatles tunes, a few other rock songs. Not so good at my rhythm playing, but we haven't focused too much on that. That is coming too, just a little slower.

I love to play. Not at all concerned about progression. If I can get to the level to sit around a campsite and pick with some other people I would be very happy with that and I see that as a realistic progression. I'm mostly interested in playing bluegrass, newgrass, progressive bluegrass, a little alt-country etc. Happen to have a roots music school in town where I can take lessons and learn from great musicians and hook up with other newbies on my level.

Not sure about bass guitar. For people suffering with finger problems after a year I would think they need some setup help on their guitar. At the very least they should put on lighter strings for a while so their fingers can adjust.

Started in early 20s with classical guitar. Eventually joined a local hard rock band for several years that had some local success. I have found that the early classical training really set a good foundation for me and jumping to other styles was easier for me than my counterparts that did not have a classical background. I think it is good when you are learning to get some exposure to the basic classical method.

Recommended guitars:

Acoustic: lower end - Yamaha has decent quality on the lower end; upper end - if you can afford, you can’t go wrong with a Martin.

Electric:

Les Paul or Stratocaster

I’m starting January 2 and come August I’ll be able kick Joe Satriani’s ass.

Dear author, I do not see anything bad and scary here. I started learning how to play guitar at 45, I mean right now. I just took https://foxmusician.com/best-acoustic-electric-guitar/ and started searching for a suitable tool I wanted for myself and started monitoring YouTube in search of my favorite mixes and studying them. There is no end to perfection and, fortunately, our modern world gives all the possibilities in full. Even for me, having three children and a lot of trouble - it was not an obstacle. Good luck

It would be pretty cool to see Bekele take up guitar at 42 if he retires after the 2024 Olympics. Imagine if the GOAT runner become like literally Jimmy Page or something. That would be epic. His wife is an actor in films. I wonder will he help her with that when he gets the marathon gold and WRs. He could also do the background music score for her films.

I’ve started to learn to play guitar after I’ve turned 30. I always liked when someone plays guitar, and even without singing. So, when I decided that I needed a new hobby, learning to play guitar was one option. The most challenging part was to find a good teacher who works with adults too, not just with kids and teens. Anyway, it was a good decision to learn how to play this instrument. Besides, I finally can annoy my neighbors with non-stop music in my apartment. Also, I found a couple of good books and DVDs about guitar, so I’m sharing them with you, guys!

https://www.chordmelodyguitarmusic.com/rock-guitar-tab-tablature-books-DVDs.htm