Got my first guitar over forty years ago, never seriously sat down and did what I had to do to learn how to play right, mostly learned a number of chords, found it real hard to play,as I had a really garbage guitar (a Domino) and used heavy guage strings (I didn't know about lighter guage strings) switched to bass, cuz bassists looked cool, and I thought 4 strings would be easier to play than 6, as well as not having to play chords. Never took bass lessons per se, really just jammed with my best friend who played guitar. Got to a point where I could play passably well. Occasionally went back to guitar, but never really seriously.
Cut to present day, got myself a Standard Strat and a Super Champ XD, I'm hoping to get my act together and, at the tender age of 55, would like to learn to play blues (lead and rhythm) guitar, I already have a couple of books, Rock House Blues method and also John Ganapes' Blues You Can Use, these seem to be a good start, but I was wondering if y'all had any other suggestions for some good instruction books/CD's on Blues guitar. (keeping in mind I'm basically considering my self more or less starting from scratch)
Also, I was considering getting a Tascam CD guitar trainer, it seems like it would be a useful device. One thing I like is, as I live in an apartment and feel a little self-conscious about practicing aloud, is the ability to play along with CD's thru headphones. Any opinions on this device, and any other advice or tips (other than practice, that's a given) you folks can give me on (re)learning guitar would be appreciated. Thanks.
Cliff

Forum member, Robert (dolphinstreet) has a great site that you might like with video lessons :

http://www.dolphinstreet.com/

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

+1

Hi Bathead

I came back to guitar in my 40's a while back and its a great interest/hobby to get involved with.

My difficulty or problem is doing just about everything alone, my partner plays acoustic which i love but the electric guitar is not really an interest to her.

One thing you might consider living in an apartment is to get hold of some sort of low wattage amp, realistically a 1 watt amp is ample. This would allow you to play and get better tones at low volume. If your in the USA you have a choice ..... think Emery sound if you have the coin or a self build like the guytronix to save money.

Just a thought, .....
have fun thats what its about after all for most people.

First off, thanks to all for the websites. I will def check those out.
Al 87 - I have a SCXD which is quite good at low volumes, but I still have that gut feeling when I practice that the neighbors are hearing every little mistake, and even though it's likely true they neither can hear nor even care, in my mind, it still puts a damper on my enthusiasm. This is why I'm considering the Tascam trainer. As I said, I could play along with both instructional and other music CD's using headphones and that, along with it's other features (metronome, change the tuning of the CD, and not the guitar, the ability to remove the guitar track and to slow down the speed with out changing the pitch) seems like a good idea to me. At this point I'm not looking to get another amp.

I'm 54 and started about a year ago.

I like the Hal Leonard books, introduction to guitar (3 different books) and introduction to blues guitar. These are available with cd's to listen and play along with.

If you have a computer, I use a line 6 gx and head phones.

Or, vox has little gizmo's to plug into the guitar jack and they have a head phone output.

I'm a 53 year old beginning hacker myself. I like the Tascam trainer except it eats batteries. Get the ac adapter.

Keith Wyatt does a basic blues course, most of which you can find on youtube. Check him out.

_________________
Ignorance IS bliss - and I am the happiest person here!

When I lived in a place i had to be quiet i got a line6 POD.

Although it isn't perfect you can get a lot of really usable tones from it through headphones. i even used it through a PA for a couple gigs in a pinch. There are many similar products now, and as long as you can spend a couple hundred bucks there are a variety of low volume solutions available that would have saved me from eviction back in my 20's!!

Good luck, i always say it's only too late to learn when they cover you with dirt.

_________________
I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I too just ordered the "Blues You Can Use" book with the cd and I have been messing around on that website all day and been able to go through the beginner lessons and pick up some nice bluesy sounding licks and chord patterns, can't wait to get the book.

_________________
Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

http://www.markweinguitarlessons.com/ Good stuff here........ Mike. He's a great teacher...

_________________
The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

50, started playing about 6 months ago after looking at my Tex-Mex Strat sitting there for almost 10 years I've tried books, CD's, personal lessons (although those helped a lots!), but then found Marty Schwartz at http://www.guitarjamz.com/. This guy IMHO is the best! He has some free stuff on Youtube you can check out, did that for awhile. Then subscribed for only one month service on his site ($29), I learned so much that I renewed for a 6 month deal (offers discount). He's a fabulous teacher, breaks it down to little 5 minute building blocks, great sense of humor and makes you feel very comfortable. He even offers a money back guarantee. Check hi out, I bet others here will agree that know him. After 6 month of playing, I practice 1-2 hours a day, I can really jam along to most backing tracks. I'm now comfortable going into GC, plugging in a guitar to try and sound like I know what I'm doing. Trust me, spend the $29 and give it a shot, you won't be disappointed!

Blues On

You are on your way and the Blues You can Use is a nice starter book that will keep you busy for some time. I would advise you to really listen to a lot of blues music and absorb it all in. When I started getting serious about the blues it was not until I really just listened to it night and day that I got it.

This is pretty much the plan, also suggested by David Meade in his 100 Tips for Blues book (a pretty good read). Now that I have some money coming in on a regular basis, one thing I'm doing (besides finally getting decent gear), is re-building my music library, concentrating on Blues mostly, along with some classic rock.
IMO,Being inspired is half the battle.

Remember Blues is from the heart i would get a few backing tracks to play along with and sit by the window on a rainy day and think about a lost that really hurt and play away good luck, Im 50 Check out my Utube of raided the joint a old blues number Lakota60 or Raided the Joint to find it on utube,Abe

Lakota60@comcast.net