You're NEVER too old. I'm 44 and thought I was too old. That was about two years ago. I don't have a ton of time to practice but do what I can. Man, nobody can strum them open chords like me now...hahahah.
Just take your time, practice when you can. If you need help, just ask the folks here. You will find a wealth of knowledge. Most importantly...HAVE FUN WITH IT.

oh yeah, and keep us posted on your progress.

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"I like the way he puts Yngwie J. Malmsteen on his album covers. You know,....so you don't confuse him with all the other Yngwie Malmsteens in the business"


2008 Fender MIM Stratocaster
2010 Epiphone Masterbilt
2009 Fender Super Champ XD

Hey strat789,

Hell no you're not too old to start. I'm 49 and having my third go round with learning the guitar. I have renewed vigor and I'm giving it all I have this time. If you want to learn, you can learn. It's all about how much you're willing to put into it. The fact that you can play Little Wing says a lot about how far you've come. It's not an easy song to play.

I love guitars and have three now, two Strats, one Lester. I find that buying new gear helps with my motivation, but nothing helps as much as conquering something you couldn't do before. That's all about the practice.

I read somewhere that playing in front of people is one of the best ways to improve, so I say go for it. You've gotten some great advice in this thread. Keep at it mate. I will too, because the rewards of music are hard to put into words.

Oh, and I love your taste in music.

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American Standard Strat, Sienna Sunburst
Gibson Les Paul, Desert Burst
Gibson SG '61 Reissue, Heritage Cherry

I started playing guitar at 22, and I felt like I had a late start, but I picked it up to occupy my time since I got arrested for having some grass (when there's real crimes going on everywhere, but yeah, pick on a kid smoking a little grass, real good effort by the pigs), so I felt the guitar will keep me out of trouble, which it certainly has. I'm an artist/painter so naturally I flock to things that require some creative input, and all my friends played music and guitar and such and I always just really wanted to pick one up and be able to play some sweet tunes and baby making music.. 3 years later I got people who want to jam with me all the time, trying to put together a solid blues trio/duo right now to hit the road with. All the music in my town is "hardcore metal" and that scenes not for me, kids punching the air, I'd rather bring it back to the roots, man dances with woman, leaves and gets laid, makes for a good night. I'll goto guitar center at times and theres always older cats in there playing some jazzy blues, so I hook up next to them and see if they wanna get a little jam going on. I always respect the older generation as, well, they've just lived more and experienced more than I have so I'm always open to learn from them. I've never read a book on music, I can't even read music, but I watch peoples fingers like Jimi, SRV, lightnin', ect, I watch alot of blues documentaries as well.. I had some friends say man, you play the $@!& out of the blues, why don't you play something else? Well, because I'm blue, haven't had what you call an "easy" life, but tough times give great inspiration, what can I say, I love it. Saying you're too old to play a guitar is like saying you're too old to cook food, ride motorcycles, or have a good time, just rock the $@!& out, we're here til we meet our maker, might as well play.


I had my first start playing in front of people, I was at this huge house party downtown somewhere once, and I saw the guy had 3 fender strats just sittin around in a room with a drum set, I asked the owner of the house, can I jam a bit? (at the time I only had a $@!&#* acoustic, and always wanted to rip up an electric, ever since then, all I play is electrics now, I like acoustics for camping though) guy said "yeah man, in fact I'm a drummer, let's get a jam going, turn off this other music" and next thing you know we had the whole party jumpin wantin more til the cops came saying something of a noise ordinance ?! haha, my first taste, and I loved it.. I just drift off into my own world when I play, find your happy place! haha

Each and everyone of us have played with people who just blew us away. I wouldn't call it making a fool out of one's self however. Rather, I'd call it playing with those who were temporarily out of one's league.

If people are better than you, you'll surely learn stuff. Conversely, when the time comes and you are better than some, you'll learn how to plug holes and by and large, will be flattered when those less skilled than you compliment you and ask for advice. It's part of the musical, "Cycle of Life".

FWIW, from my experience as a former teacher for more years than I care to remember, adults who took up guitar or bass later in life were much more serious and focused when it came to learning the instrument. They had no aspirations of being rock stars and simply wanted to do it for themselves. With due diligence, they rapidly progressed. Further, because they never competed with others (or themselves for that matter), they really excelled where their enjoyment never dwindled as they never placed some sort of unrealistic pressure on themselves.

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You dig?

Good to see all you veterans on here! I just turned 56, and am learning how to Sweep Pick. Never too late to learn music, because in the end, it is for your own enjoyment right? I never feel so 'in tune' with myself as when I am in the basement room playing. If I get to play with anyone else sometime, that's just a bonus.

S789, if you have fingers that feel too short, try a different tuning. Most of my guitars (and there are over 30) are standard, but I have an 87 American Standard Strat in purple that I tuned to Keith Richards open-G tuning - remove the low E string, tune the other five GDGBD and rock along with the Stones on DVD. My rhythm chops have improved, and it's been a lot of fun!

If only some of us didn't live a hemisphere away and could get together and rock! How about a convention of strat owners meeting at a bar for a weekend and taking over the stage?

john

"Geriatric Jams", I love it! We'd show all them, "young whippersnappers" how its supposed to be done!! (That is, provided it's not past our bedtimes. )

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You dig?

Okay, I'm an older student. Martian, from your past experience as a teacher, is being able to play "Pipeline", "Walk Don't Run", and the Ventures version of "California Sun" cleanly at the speed of the original recording "unrealistic pressure"? Sometimes, I think so -- they seem to move really fast when I try to play along with the recording... Actually, what I'm finding is that, given enough practice time, they're not out of the realm of possibility. Playing them cleanly is what trips me up... Also, the biggest problem is finding enough practice time to keep going over the songs over, and over, and over... I guess that's not limited to us older folks, though..

Something I found really helpful -- Audacity (freeware) is a god-send for learning songs. I use it to create geriatric-speed (70% and 85% of the original) mp3's of songs I want to learn. Its also great for isolating lead parts and playing them back looped...

Oftentimes, one is their own worst critic where they have to get it out of their heads that they must play (insert tune here) perfectly. Repetition is the best teacher where if you just sit back, relax and play (insert tune here) you will find that your speed will come naturally rather than coaxed.

And yes, "life does happen" where no one can dedicate the amount of time they wish they could to their instrument(s).

As to all these new fangled study aids, I've never used them yet shall presume they are useful. On the other hand, one has to be careful with these though as they MAY stymie one's ear and timing from developing in stride with their playing ability. YMMV.

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You dig?

I can relate to this!

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American Standard Strat, Sienna Sunburst
Gibson Les Paul, Desert Burst
Gibson SG '61 Reissue, Heritage Cherry

Oftentimes, one is their own worst critic where they have to get it out of their heads that they must play (insert tune here) perfectly. Repetition is the best teacher where if you just sit back, relax and play (insert tune here) you will find that your speed will come naturally rather than coaxed.
Yeah, a lot of wisdom in this, Martian. Thanks. My goal is just to be able to play along with a CD, so there isn't any real pressure to be perfect. I just want to be able to play al the right notes and keep up with the tempo.

And yes, "life does happen" where no one can dedicate the amount of time they wish they could to their instrument(s).

As to all these new fangled study aids, I've never used them yet shall presume they are useful. On the other hand, one has to be careful with these though as they MAY stymie one's ear and timing from developing in stride with their playing ability. YMMV.[/quote]
Good point!

Wish you were closer to me, I would jam with you! For me it is not about how good or flashy one can play. It is about having fun! i have taught a number of 17-18 years old how to play chords or the bass and got them jamming, how be it, the same thing over and over and over, and I played some lead and it was fun. That is what it is all about.

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

Xhefri, I'm not very far away from you, just a few hours drive! Let's get together sometime and plunk. I'll bring some Strat Pluses for your examination!

like how far from the remote woods of North Idaho??? Man half the deer and elk around here are scared to death by the sounds of blues licks coming from my shop at 2:30 am! LOL. Either that or they are hanging, gett'in in the groove........

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

Wenatchee, three hours from Spokane. Not far at all!

Never too old.

Just keep that 3lbs of protoplasm in your skull working so that you avoid/delay any cognitive degeneration.

Chances are if you are 64 and on the internet, you’ll be doing well long into your 80s.