Can An Older Person Learn Guitar Well Enough To Gig

The writer is a guitarist and bassist with over 35 years of feel equally a musician.

You're never too old to learn to play guitar! — You lot're never also old to acquire to play guitar!

Canva

You Can Learn Guitar No Matter Your Historic period!

If you want to learn to play the guitar you are never too former to get in happen. In fact, as an older guitar educatee, yous'll take some definite advantages that you lot wouldn't have enjoyed as a kid.

Whether yous are in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond, it is never too late to acquire to play a new musical instrument. Here are ten good reasons why at that place is no time like the present to get started on the guitar.

ane. Your Computer Makes Learning Guitar Easier than Ever!

If you are pondering whether or not information technology is too late for you to learn guitar, you lot were probably a teenager before this whole cyberspace matter took off. Today, computers and the net are far more powerful than even a decade ago, and there are countless resources available to help y'all larn to play guitar.

This is especially nice if you are a fiddling nervous about getting out there and taking guitar lessons from someone who might be a lot younger than you lot. With the array of DVDs, guitar sites, and YouTube videos available yous can larn anything you would take from a guitar instructor without always leaving your house.

Cheers to the net and powerful estimator software, learning guitar today is style easier than when you lot were a kid.

two. You lot Know What Blazon of Music You Like

And what you don't! For a kid learning the guitar, part of the journey involves exploring musical genres and figuring out what lights your fire. Land? Metal? Jazz? When yous're a child, choosing the right road can be pretty confusing.

As an older guitar student, you've already straightened a lot of that out over the years. You've been exposed to different kinds of music, and your knowledge is much more than advanced than when you were a kid. You know what you dig, and what you'd rather stay abroad from.

This awareness is super helpful when information technology comes to picking the right starter guitar and choosing lessons and music that will inspire you to practice. In this style, you're a big step alee of any teenager picking up the guitar for the first fourth dimension.

three. You're More Disciplined

So maybe you let the laundry pile upwards now and then, and you have trouble maxim no to a piece of chocolate cake, but I'd guess you are still much more disciplined than the average teenager.

If you've managed to accomplish things similar graduation from higher, holding downwardly a decent job, raising a kid, or maintaining a home you've proven you certainly have the discipline to larn guitar. It's just a thing of putting your heed to information technology if it is something you really want to do.

The one common theme I hear from adults who say they desire to learn guitar simply never do seems to boil downward to not really believing they tin do it. Look around at the things y'all've accomplished in the rest of your life and you'll see that'due south not true! If y'all really want to learn to play guitar, you can!

4. Yous Take More Financial Resource

While near of u.s.a. aren't rolling in greenbacks, it's likewise true that our earning power is far greater than it was when we were kids. Most teenagers who larn guitar are stuck with depression-upkeep instruments and amps, partly because their parents are non totally convinced they will stick with it. Problem is, crummy guitars aren't very inspiring, and tin can fifty-fifty impair the learning process.

If you are an older guitar student you have no such problems. You're in command of your cash menstruum, and you decide where your coin goes. If y'all are in a good financial situation, the sky may be the limit. Simply even those of us on tighter budgets can find solid beginner's gear for proficient prices.

Of course, you still have to reconcile your purchases with your spouse. I tin't help you lot in that location!

Scroll to Continue

5. Realistic Expectations Can Salve Y'all From Misery

If you lot are over thirty and learning guitar for the showtime time, your head probably isn't swimming with thoughts of becoming the side by side Jimi Hendrix. While yous can certainly go on to become a semi-pro or even professional musician, it'due south almost impossible for older, unknown musicians to make it large. That's just the civilization we live in.

While this might sound a little depressing, from the correct perspective it's actually very liberating. Every bit kids, many of the states started out learning guitar with thoughts of condign famous musicians and changing the world. Equally the years rolled by information technology became less and less likely this would happen until nosotros somewhen realized the ship has sailed. Now that's depressing!

As an older guitar student, you tin can skip all that garbage and get straight to the place most of united states somewhen make it at one time we pass thirty. From the beginning, you can play guitar for the love of the musical instrument and the joy it brings you lot.

6. You lot Have Better Time Direction Skills

Of grade, there are adults out there who seem to never have a gratuitous moment, just about of us have style more gratuitous time than we did as kids. I recall back to high schoolhouse and between course, homework, a part-time job, sports practice, and spending required time with family I don't know how I got anything else washed.

The key today is the same as dorsum then: Time management. If you want to find fourth dimension to practice, y'all will. Maybe that means getting up early before work every day or skipping some telly or internet fourth dimension.

Kids have trouble buckling down and prioritizing. As an adult, you've already proven you can do this. If you are serious about learning guitar yous know how to notice a manner to fit it into your schedule.

vii. In that location Is No Pressure on an Older Guitar Educatee

Kids are hard on each other. Adults can be even tougher on kids. Remember the Twisted Sister video where the begetter berates the kid for wasting his time playing guitar in his room all twenty-four hours and demands to know what he is going to do with his life? The answer: I Wanna Rock!

When you're a kid it'south really difficult for other people to sympathize why y'all're spending so much time with the guitar. Your classmates recollect you're weird and adults retrieve you're headed for prison.

As an adult, you've already made your way in life. You don't need to justify to anyone why you love the guitar, and nobody is going to judge you. For this reason lone, information technology's a whole lot less pressure to learn guitar as an adult than as a teenager.

8. Playing Guitar Can Reduce Stress

Everybody is stressed out these days. I know I am. When I take twenty minutes to shut the door and plug in a guitar it is just as good as xx minutes in a hot tub.

Music does great things for your brain, body, and soul. As an adult guitar student, approaching the musical instrument as a life-affirming recreational action rather than some kind of mount to conquer can make you more likely to practice, and will improve the quality of your do sessions.

As an adult, y'all may notice it easier to larn guitar one time you realize how much it does for your mood and stress levels. When life seems to be trying to break you down, y'all'll always have the guitar to get y'all through.

9. You Take More Support From Peers Than Y'all Realize

When y'all are a teenager, learning guitar often means you'll notice yourself with a group of agreeing peers who accept similar goals. In one case you get into your twenties many of those people have dropped out of music, simply those who remain are serious, dedicated, and ready to conquer the world.

In your thirties things get crude. Even more people drop out and go off to live normal lives, and the only people left to jam with seem to be people who already have had some success or people who are a bit nuts. If you lot haven't had success, you offset to wonder if y'all are in the latter group.

But every bit you get older something interesting happens. People who love music, and gave up on it to pursue other careers, start to come up back and relearn their instruments. In some cases, they even beginning performing again. Except this time they aren't trying to conquer the globe. They are just playing because they beloved it.

Life later on 30, for a guitarist, really is the golden years, and the perfect time to become into music.

x. You're More Awesome Than Ever Before!

So here information technology is, the tenth and best reason you lot are never too old to learn to play guitar. You are more awesome right now than yous take been at any other period in your life! You have more experience, more knowledge, and more wisdom than you did when y'all were a kid. You know who y'all are and what you want. You've accomplished and so much in your life, and accept been through a lot.

Maybe y'all've survived an illness, been through a divorce, browbeaten a bad addiction or maybe you just feel like it'south fourth dimension for a change. I'll tell y'all the aforementioned affair I tell every adult who says they want to acquire to play guitar: You can practice it if you really want to, and you'll never regret it.

If learning guitar is on your bucket list, practice it now, considering you lot are more prepared for the challenge than at any other point in your life.

What Are You Waiting For?

I started playing guitar when I was twelve years sometime. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I've never regretted it. Over the years I've known many adults who said they wanted to learn, and I've always done my all-time to encourage them. I can't imagine my life without the guitar, and I want them to take the same joy as I've been lucky enough to experience.

Some mind, and some don't. I'll never understand why some people are so reluctant to pursue their dreams, but then over again I know some things they don't. So, you lot'll just have to trust me when I tell you that learning guitar, or whatever musical instrument that inspires you lot, will be one of the smartest choices of your life. Yous'll never regret it, and it will benefit you lot in ways you can't even imagine.

You're never also former to learn to play guitar, so what are you waiting for?

Beginner Guitar Resources

Acoustic Guitars for Beginners
Check out some of the best acoustic guitars for beginners, all nether $200 and from some of the superlative brands in the guitar world
Electric Guitars for Beginners
Read this shortlist and discover the top ten guitars that are best for beginners, all under $200 and from large names in the guitar world.
Guitar Amps for Beginners
Discover the best guitar amps nether $100 for beginners, all from top brand names, plus larn what to look for in your very first guitar amp.

This content is accurate and truthful to the best of the author's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional person.

Guitar Gopher (author) on September 10, 2020:

That'south crawly, Alice! Keep it up!

Alice Eskes on September x, 2020:

Hullo , I selection up my guitar on Jan.7th and I turned 80 in Feb. Here it is Sept seventh and I'm still at it Practice everyday and now I am at the indicate where I trying to change Chords with more speed and and smoother

Guitar Gopher (writer) on Baronial eighteen, 2020:

@ Sandra - Good for yous! I'm glad y'all aren't letting anything slow you downwards! At that place are lots of dandy resources on the spider web. I'd commencement with YouTube and do a few searches of whatever you are interested in learning. Adept luck!

Sandra D Steadman on August 17, 2020:

I never had a music lesson in my life. My brother bought me a guitar. So hither I am at 65 learning . Right now, my in person classes are on hold then I am looking to the cyberspace for assist.

Guitar Gopher (author) on July 18, 2020:

Practiced luck, Beth! You can practise it if you lot attempt!

Beth Hartshorn on July 18, 2020:

I am 70 and i have loved music all of my life with a passion! I should have learned the guitar tears Get but i am at present going to give it a go ! Wish me luck delight!

David on July 14, 2020:

I'm 52 and never had a music lesson in my life. Nevertheless, I am inspired by you all. I want to practise something during this pandemic that volition brand me happy going forrad. Thanks you

Frankie on June 16, 2020:

I've always wanted to play the guitar since I was in my early teen. We were as well poor and I couldn't afford one. Over the years I borrowed my friends guitars and exercise strumming and learning chords. Never gave up the idea through my adult years but could never find the time to take it upwardly seriously. ten years ago bought my very first guitar. Sadly the guitar collected dust in the loft. A yr ago after retirement I took it up again and resurrected an former friend. I take now improved quite a off-white bit. Thanks for your very useful advise.

otto on November 30, 2019:

cheers

Guitar Gopher (author) on November 29, 2019:

Skilful luck, Marge! Ready bated a small-scale amount of time for practice every day. You can do information technology!

Marge on Nov 28, 2019:

Im 18 n I've always loved music, I bought my own guitar acouple months ago but got discouraged north didnt seem to accept the time to practice, today I took it out of the case n practiced for awhile, I made up my mind I will learn to play no matter what, and non get discouraged this fourth dimension, thank you for all the tips, I really demand to do more.

Guitar Gopher (author) on September 22, 2019:

@Danny - If you have been trying for 45 years there is no bespeak in giving up now! Seriously. We all have limitations, only if you actually desire to play guitar don't stop trying.

Danny on September 21, 2019:

I have been trying to play a guitar since 30 years sometime, now at 75 I all the same can't, brusque sausage fingers I suppose

햄봉이 on August 26, 2019:

thank you. actually I bought guitar last year, but I tried only 2-3 times. Now information technology is time to practice.

Guitar Gopher (author) on July 23, 2019:

@Beth - Cheers so much for the kind words, and I'grand really happy to hear you have made the conclusion to acquire guitar. It's great that y'all take a network of avant-garde guitarists effectually you and so you tin ask questions and get advice from more experienced players. Of course do non always hesitate to ask a question in the comments department of one of my articles and I will help as all-time I tin.

Good luck! Y'all have an exciting future alee of you and I feel honored to have played a minor part in it.

Beth from Jersey on July 22, 2019:

Loved this article! My male parent was a audio engineer in the 70s and 80s and I spent a huge chunk of my childhood and teens in a back up role on phase with my dad (I could probably however mic a drum kit if I had to, even though information technology has been 30 years, LOL). When my father left the life, I did, likewise, for reasons that don't make sense to me now. Music is and always has been a major constant in my life and I've decided to acquire how to play guitar at the age of 53. Your articles have been super informative (I've read quite a few) and you helped me decide which guitar to get - a Squier Affinity Strat. Picked it upwardly today and tin't expect to beginning. I have three guitarist friends with decades of experience that are unbelievably supportive and excited that I've finally decided to dive in. Cheers and so much for your excellent communication and I will be watching your posts in the future.

Guitar Gopher (author) on July 19, 2019:

@Kellygirl1225 - Congratulations on making the determination to get back into guitar! A adept instructor should be able to teach whatsoever age student, and I hope you notice one. If non, there are plenty of ways to learn guitar without one, including books, online videos on YouTube and computer-based systems like RockSmith.

Good luck, and don't let anyone stand up in your way! You lot are an inspiration!

Kellygirl1225 on July 18, 2019:

I'm a septuagenarian if you desire to effigy that out. Took some lessons more than than 50 years agone. Brought a guitar home from Goodwill. No brand just it said 'purchase me'. Don't even accept a selection merely I looked online for ideas to acquire online. I'd love to have an instructor who believes a senior can learn. I'k looking locally and hope I find someone. Meantime I'm trying to practice the 3 chords I recollect, C G7 and D. I desire to play for my own enjoyment and used to dear picking through melodies. I desire that back.

Guitar Gopher (author) on June 27, 2019:

Thanks, Robert! Good luck and don't give up!

Robert on June 26, 2019:

I'm 60 going to restart , I must say , you are an inspiration. TY

Guitar Gopher (author) on April eighteen, 2019:

@Kimberly - What a dandy story! You are surely an inspiration for your children, and I hope for everyone who reads your annotate hither as well.

Kimberley on April 17, 2019:

I'm 36

I am astounded at how hands I am learning.

Mother of iii under six.

Employed

Decorated and whirlwind of a life, but fourth dimension to learn something I always wanted to but never had the willingness to do.

Some chords are a existent bugger to get considering I have a small mitt span. And I find bar chords something i am not not bad on tackling as of however, however I have already learned a number of songs and two in particular, finger picking ones, I mastered in most a week.

I am beyond thrilled. I truly never thought I could do this. I likewise expected a really difficult and long slog before I felt whatsoever reward. And its only been 4months.

If you tin can requite yourself at least 30 minutes a solar day.... you will experience the benefit

The all-time office is, my iii little people are watching. Eager to learn. My 6yr onetime is at present learning piano. Her younger sister is itching to learn drums. The whole experience is a serious achievement.

You merely need to have a willingness.

I was gifted a cute blueish Classical Nylon string guitar at Christmas. Was swell to go started.

In March I decided to buy a steel string acoustic Cort guitar to assistance meliorate my form. As i said, my finger span seems limited due to small hands, then moving to the steel string was a skillful option as frets are closer together.

I as well chose a guitar with a pick up should i fancy plugging her in one solar day! haha

All in all, my callouses are well and truly formed and here to stay

And the number of songs I am drastic to larn... well information technology's endless.

Please, if you want to attempt learning, believe its worth the try.

And Good Luck! You simply live once

Binh Duong on December 27, 2018:

I am 58 year sometime simply still play , i call up that'due south help me to relax my listen, event i am not a cracking player just teach myself how to play my ain way, but i'chiliad very happy with it.

Guitar Gopher (author) on November 16, 2018:

That's crawly, Kim! Just have patience and don't quit. You'll never regret information technology learning to play guitar.

Kim on Nov 15, 2018:

I'one thousand going for information technology!

Been thinking about it for a while now. 58 years old

Guitar Gopher (author) on September 21, 2018:

Congratulations, Louie, and practiced luck learning guitar. There are a couple of articles on beginner guitars linked at the lesser of this commodity.

I take many more than articles about guitars for dissimilar genres and skill levels. This ought to get your started.

louie on September 20, 2018:

so i am 30 years old, and it has been my dream to play an musical instrument. I'm always jealous of those people who can play guitar. now, my side by side stride is to purchase a guitar, any suggestions?

anandam on September 08, 2018:

what an inspiring post. I just turned 59 and have never played a instrument but am going to commencement now. thank yous.

String forth on Jan 17, 2017:

Fretting virtually my brain losing stuff every bit I'one thousand now over 70. Thanks to this commodity I will grit off my sometime acoustic languishing in the loft! Thank you!

Guitar Gopher (writer) on December 22, 2016:

Hello ridestuff. Congrats on starting an astonishing journey! The showtime affair y'all need to practice is larn to melody the thing. Then, start learning some bones chords. There is a ton of info around the internet that can help you out. Hither's an article I wrote on getting started. Since you lot already have a guitar you lot can skip ahead to the parts near learning to play, etc. Good luck!

https://spinditty.com/learning/beginner-guitar-gui...

ridestuff on Dec 21, 2016:

Turned 45 recently, and today my wife bought me a beautiful blueish guitar. I tin't look to starting time some lessons. Any tips in the mean time? I can't read a lick of music... Thank you for this article!

Guitar Gopher (author) on Baronial x, 2015:

That's awesome, Tony! Keep up the peachy work! (But I'grand sure I don't accept to tell you that!)

TonyD79 on August 09, 2015:

Thanks for the encouraging article, I'm over 50, picked up playing guitar after a 27 twelvemonth lapse and been playing directly at present for nearly 4 years. I'thou working nigh entirely on the road and could non find a ameliorate thing to practice with my spare fourth dimension. I practise online lessons with Guitartricks, join Meetup guitar groups when I tin can and take hold of some private lessons when home in the Philadelphia expanse. I promise 1 day to be part of a small band for fun or volunteer with another guitar friend for the disabled and seniors. I now don't look back only wait alee!

Guitar Gopher (author) on July xxx, 2015:

Proficient for you ,Greg! You won't regret information technology!

Greg on July 29, 2015:

57 gunna become for it

Prasana on Jan 21, 2015:

I am an adult learner.I love practicing guitar.This article is very proficient and informative.I dear to play guitar.thanks for sharing.

Guitar Gopher (writer) on September 21, 2014:

Expert luck, Rusty. You definitely won't regret learning a few chords.

Rusty Quill on September twenty, 2014:

Hey expert news I've always wanted to acquire how to play the guitar. I bought 1 in higher but my sis borrowed it and I never saw it once again. Now I bought 1 for my girl just it simply sits in her room... time for this sometime dog to learn a new trick. :)

Guitar Gopher (writer) on September thirteen, 2014:

Thanks Eric! I appreciate the kind words.

Eric Mikols on September thirteen, 2014:

Voted way up. This is great and exactly what I need to hear. Thank you for writing this!

Guitar Gopher (author) on August 19, 2014:

Thanks Ladyguitarpicker!

stella vadakin from 3460NW 50 St Bell, Fl32619 on August 18, 2014:

Hi, Liked this I take taught many older students and I think they try harder and practice more. I have a lens on Seniors Have There Ain Guitar Form. Similar your style, well I dear reading near guitars

Guitar Gopher (author) on April 21, 2014:

Thanks Wesman!

Wesman Todd Shaw from Kaufman, Texas on April nineteen, 2014:

Big thumbs up!!!!!!!!!! Yep, and also, learning new things e'er expands the capabilities of the homo encephalon; and playing some music can be very stress relieving!