Hi all,

By way of introduction.

I’m 64 live in the UK and started playing about 3 years ago. I have no natural gift for music or Guitar but play / practice most days although short, not too intense spells. Little short in the fingers I feel. I’m about mid intermediate standard at present. I can play…. Hendrix, ie Little Wing for example which I find quite tricky but get there, sort of. Clapton, BB King, J Lee Hooker, Shadows ( now don’t laugh ) brought up on them. If I had to choose one it would be Blues. Have several tutorial books on that.

My question is this. I have never played outside my own home or with anyone, but would like to. Even form some sort of Band / Group just for the hell of it. How can you go about this without making a fool of myself in front of chaps that may be good and been playing for years..

All advice and opinion welcome critical or not.

Hi S789 and welcome to the forum.

Never too old mate, and don't apologise for your influences. We all owe those guys a debt at some level. To be tackling some of that material after only a year suggests that you have a talent - not matter what you may think to the contrary. Shows the benefits of application, some good study material and regular practise.

Playing with a group of like minded people is hugely enjoyable. And it's another learning curve you'll really benefit from.

Advertise in music magazines and in local community publications for people (retired or current players) in similar circumstances and with similar interests. Or maybe you could record some good quality backing tracks and play some solo shows at local social clubs etc

Good luck for the future. Stay fit and well, and watch some videos of BB King (in his late 80s) jamming with the late, and much missed Gary Moore.

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Adey.. Thank you so much for taking the time to give such a full response. One correction playing three years not one. Don’t want people to think I’m being a smarty pants.. Yes, I think I will try and build up the courage to place that add. Can explain my standard before someone chooses to get in touch, assuming anyone does. Feeling nervous already...Thanks again.

Cool.

I see you're also in the UK. Guitarist magazine is great for an advert like that and I've seen several from guys in your situation. Gumtree is also good for an on-line advert in your city.

Also worth finding the music roots n blues clubs in your area and just hanging out. Or put your name down for an open mic night and turn up with some backing tapes or midi files. You'll generally find a considerate and appreciative audience there. Swell the audience with some friends and family members and you'll rule for 10 mins or so!

Stay in touch and let us know how you get on!

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

There is no age to start. I started at 37 about 8 months ago, i just love the sound of the guitars... I have never had guitar lessons but the web gives you a lot of info. I don't use chords however, i like picking, (for example, the Shadows), maybe because it is easier
I've just started to learn the 12 bar blues, well, i'm trying. It sounds great on my Strat!
Keep up, your not alone!
P.

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Red American Special Stratocaster (SSS)
Red Squier bullet strat
Line 6 Micro Spider
GarageBand software & Bose Speakers

You're never too old. I've been playing for 30 years, and I still suck! It's all fun. I find jamming to tunes on the radio or CDs helps to get me used to listening to what the drummer is doing and is good practice-give it a try. Then you will be more confident if you do join a group.

Now go buy new guitars, change the hardware, the pickups. Then buy some amps, change the tubes, speakers, etc!

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'10 American Special Strat
'02 Les Paul R8
'08 Charvel US San Dimas
'85 Jackson Soloist

Splawn Quick Rod

789,

NO!

I have no natural ability, and getting up there too. I love guitar and it makes me happy even if I nevery play for anyone.

Stay with it and you will be rewarded, even if your not a natural, your brain will start to drink it in on levels you will not even realize.

OL

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I remember when we were free!

789,
Brother, you've only got a couple years on me so don't be saying 64 is too old


I'm not sure how this works over in the UK, but here in the US (I think you guys still refer to us as the colonies or some such...) a lot of music stores have jam nights.

At these jam nights you will find everything from the local hot shot (Or think's he the local hot shot) guitar slinger, to kids who can strum 2 chords and only 1 cleanly.

Guess what I'm saying is there's no need to be apprehensive going to most music store jsm sessions. I find them to be fun. Haven't been for a while because of work and band practices, but had a balst with them.

So, if you want toget out and play with other folks, call some of the music stores and see if they have jam nights.

Jeff

Music has no boundaries. There are no 'rights' or 'wrongs' regarding age or many other
factors. Welcome aboard!

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

Don't leave home without it!

You're never too old to boogie woogie-Pinetop Perkins is pushin' 90 and still rockin' the old ivories.As others have suggested check out open mic and amateur nights in your area or check out musician's post in local music stores and publications.There is often someone just looking for someone to jam with.I'll be 57 next month and I still have the boogie woogie in me.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

1.) Make a fool of yourself in the first 5 minutes and be done with it
2.) We all do this
3.) Why so afraid

My point: the fear of (whatever) keeps us from being totally alive.

Just do it! (Nike)

Cheers

David

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"Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and buildings and start wars etc...and all that dolphins do is swim in the water, eat fish and play around. Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons."

The main thing I see from your post is that when you go looking for guys to play with,try to find someone with the same interests and then keep it basic,because the influences you listed are still things you can play and play well without lots of intricate arraingements,just good solid tunes to have fun with.
BTW,I'm 57. my body feels old,but my mind feels like having a good time.

I have a friend who lives in Sheffield. He found a group that gets together once or twice a month to play guitar and mandolin together. At the end of each session one of them is picked to bring a new song to the group for the next meeting so they can all work on it. He's been doing this for several years and his playing has improved immensely. I'm not sure how he found the group but they were active before he found them. Maybe there's a similar situation in your area. And, I might add that I'm just ready to turn 60, not all that talented, but I enjoy playing and I can see that I improve the more I play, so I'm determined to keep it up no matter how many times my wife asks me to "turn that thing down!"

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue

Hi Strat789

Great post! No your not too old, get out there!

Just about 3 years ago I picked up a Starcaster combo at Costco and Guitar for Dummies from the bookstore (not kidding Guitar for Dummies). After about a year my wife got me a standard Strat for Christmas. One day I was sitting around and started looking for garage jams in my area and found one. There has been nothing I have done that helped my playing out more than playing with others much better than me. Now the kicker..

That little garage jam has now turned into playing out in public at least 3 nights a week. I am still not the best of the bunch, but I am better than anyone who is just watching! The rush of playing on stage is something I have not experienced since my days playing sports in high school. Everyone I have ever met and played with at jams (some very famous person by the way which is cool too), has been nothing but gracious and helpful to my development. I have never had anyone make a face at a bad bend or even a solo that went out of key. All criticism has been constructive and heartfelt. I have enough confidence now that I even go jamming while on the road doing business.

Get out there!

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http://www.facebook.com/UCtheband
2012 American Standard Strat Charcoal Froast
2009 Standard Strat Sunburst Brown
Blues Junior Tweed NOS
2007 Line6 Spider Jam

This is a great time for anyone to learn to play. There have never been more resources.
You can find tons of stuff on the Internet to help you play or learn songs.