Home › Forums › Beginner Guitar Discussions › AGE – THE FINAL FRONTIER :-(
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January 10, 2021 at 6:49 am #229825
Hi Guys,
So here I am, aged 71 and wishing that I had done like some of my friends way back in the 1960’s, and learnt the guitar. They are now excellent players, having performed with various groups all over, and I’m wondering if it’s just too late for me now, at my age! Do I subscribe, or not?
What would I like to achieve? Well, I doubt very much that I have enough years left to become a world famous guitarist, packing arenas worldwide with adoring fans!! But I would honestly just like to be able to understand and strum along with some of the types of music I like, such as – Blues, Bluegrass, Irish Traditional, Sea Shanties (because I like sailing) and, of course, some of the 60’s music that I grew up with.
So what’s my main problems and drawbacks? Well, I have large hands and fat fingers, so I find that I am muting more strings than I am actually playing, plus the top knuckle of the index finger on my left hand is well bent (age and injury), and I just can’t stretch my fingers as much as I would like. Oh, yes, and I can’t read music!! So really, I would need a wide nut guitar to give me more spacing between the strings, and maybe allow me to play strings instead of muting them, but finding an affordable one for a beginner is not easy!
So, where do I go from here? I would dearly love to be able to play a 6-string guitar, but should I throw the towel in and start to consider taking up the bass guitar, which might be easier for me to cope with in view of my large hands and fat fingers.
Has anyone else had the same problem?
Regards,
TONY W
Tony W
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January 10, 2021 at 7:47 am #229835
Hi Tony welcome to AM, you wont know what you can achieve until you try, so putting up barriers before we attempt something just makes it more difficult.
People with all hand sizes play guitar, so why would that be a drawback.
Premium membership cost $59 for a whole year, thats not even the cost of taking the grandkids to the movies on a Saturday. So a little fee for great reward, well to me it is.
Joint or knuckle deformity isnt as big a problem when you know that one of the greatest guitarist only had 2 working fingers in his fretting hand.
Why dont you take out one months membership, do the “Beginners course” and see how things go from there.
Best of luck..Billy..
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January 10, 2021 at 8:59 am #229845
Hi Billy,
Thanks for taking the time to reply to this ‘old timer’ 😉
Actually, after reading your reply, I remembered that one on the friends I spoke about had the end of his index finger missing and, a few years ago received another injury to his fretting fingers – but kept playing.
I suppose that I should stop putting barriers up (as you rightly say) and just see what I can do.
Paying my ‘Premium’ now 😉
Regards,
TONY
Tony W
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January 10, 2021 at 1:07 pm #229895
Welcome Tony.
In response to your posting, lots of great players had physical challenges; I think the greater challenge is psychological: forcing yourself to master one little step at a time. Sounds like your goal is to “strum along with some of the types of music I like”, so that would mean learning and mastering some basic chords. That’s where we all started, and it’s never too late to start something new – probably a good way to live longer.This guitar-learning site has a super-supportive Forum community with people at all ability levels from beginners to advanced, but everyone understands that there’s no competition here, it’s just about helping each other achieve our own goals.
For me, the main goal is to ENJOY every minute I have the guitar in my hand. I’ve been playing for almost 60 yrs and still enjoy strumming a couple chords and playing little melodic phrase in my head. (Then trying to find them on the guitar.) Strumming chords is still totally satisfying for me.
Welcome to AM and good luck with your guitar journey. -
January 10, 2021 at 1:40 pm #229900
There are many people in the AM community older than you, including myself. Fat fingers are common among us. Arthritis is common among us. Hardly any of us can read music. And yet, we have learned how to play guitar, thanks to Brian’s inspiring lessons. You just have to adjust what you practice and play to your physical capabilities. If your bar chords sound like crap, just don’t play them. Play your chords on the upper 4 strings. Go more for lessons with single note sequences and less complex chords, if you are getting a lot of string muting from neighboring strings. And if you don’t believe us old guys can play, just have a look at some of the Dec 2020 Monthly Challenge submissions. You can do it.
Sunjamr Steve
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January 10, 2021 at 11:09 pm #229931
Come on Tony – chin up man! Give it a go. Invest the time. It takes some time but it will become very rewarding. I was convinced that I needed a special fretboard. Initially I found it so challenging to do basic chords without feeling ham-fisted, bumping other strings, etc. It takes repetition for sure, but your fingers/hands will develop muscle memory and you’ll get better and better at it.
Don’t give up at any age. There’s always more to learn and do. Lifelong learning is so important.
cheers,
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January 11, 2021 at 9:49 am #229956
Hi Guys,
So, advice taken and I have subscribed to Premium Membership.
However, there are so many lessons, and I’ve looked at a few, that I really don’t know where to start here. I am a total beginner (well, I know a few chord shapes), and some of the ‘easy’ lessons are still beyond what I understand – I don’t know about scales, flats, sharps, etc., so need to be eased into this so that I can start at the bottom and work my way up.
Have I missed it, or is there the basic beginners lessons in here?
OK, I may well get known as the ‘old idiot from England’, but as a lot of you will know, it gets harder to learn new things as you get older – so need a bit of help here, please.
Stay safe,
TONY W
Tony W
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January 11, 2021 at 9:54 am #229957
OK, so I AM the ‘old idiot from England’
I hadn’t scrolled down the list far enough, and missed the ‘Beginners Course’.
So now I have found it, I’m off to start the Course (but always happy to receive help and advice) 😉
Regards to all,
TONY W
Tony W
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January 11, 2021 at 6:23 pm #229986
Tony, you’re not the only “old idiot” around here; welcome to the club.
Beginners Course is definitely a good starting place; other than that, there’s really no clear pathway thru these lessons. But there are some “Legacy” lessons from the early days of AM that might also be helpful – someone else will have to direct you to them.
And I’d like to share with you 1 single chord, the first chord I ever learned, that has a scary name (A major 7th) but is easy to play and to my ear sounds beautiful. Pluck the open 5th string (A) and then lightly run your fingers over the next 4 strings, and you’ve just played some beautiful music.
That was the first thing I ever learned or played on guitar, and almost 60 yrs later I still get a lot of satisfaction just playing around with this chord. A second complimentary chord might be a simple D chord. There you’ve got a beautiful song. Add the right words and you might change the world.Attachments:
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January 12, 2021 at 10:50 am #230051
Hi ‘Canada Moose’,
Thanks for your advice.
I’m working my way through the Beginners Course – but having a little ‘mess around’ with chords also. I hadn’t done the A-Major-7 before, but did what you suggested and you’re right, it does sound really nice. I’ve been doing a similar thing, just lightly strumming away with the A-D-E chords, just getting a feel for things, and it’s quite therapeutic.
Anyway, back to it.
Incidentally, my grandson lives on a farm, he’s 4 years old, and he’s just mad about animals. He knows all the breeds of sheep, cows and pigs on the farm, he loved dinosaurs and knows all their names, but one of his favourite ‘toy animals’, which he carries around a lot, is a ‘Canadian Moose’. 😉 😉
Regards,
TONY
Tony W
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January 14, 2021 at 10:34 am #230205
Hi Guys,
So, I am working my way through the Beginners Course, and am really enjoying it – I wish I’d found Brian years ago!
Anyway, I have just watched the two videos about the simple G Chord and the simple C Chord, and I have a query.
Brian shows doing the simple C Chord using the index finger – but my right index finger is somewhat ‘bent’ at the end, and I am having difficulty using that finger without muting the high e string. However, I don’t have a problem playing this simple chord if I use my second finger – no muting.
My question is, and I suppose this applies to playing notes and chords in general, is it “written in stone” that you have to use the ‘accepted’ fingers shown on chord charts, or (as in my case with bent and fat fingers), is it acceptable to improvise and do what’s necessary and comfortable to achieve the correct sound for the note or chord?
I think I know the sort of answers I will receive, but being an ‘old timer beginner’, I just wanted to check with those who know much more than I do (or will).
Thanks to everyone who has given me advice and pointers, I really appreciate it.
Regards,
TONY
Tony W
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January 22, 2021 at 12:56 pm #230889
Hi Toni – Let me put all your fears to rest , granted starting out takes some dedication , but many of your difficulties will be overcome . The ability to read music is not a necessity on this great site , watch Brian’s fingers as to how he uses them to create the sound when sliding or bending , learn to read the tablature. Learn the positions of some basic chords, learn some pentatonic shapes ,then pick out a nice slower type blues lesson and watch how it’s done . Pick a small section and practice it over and over , move on to another section , start at the beginning and incorporate that into the section you are now learning etc. You will find when you get to the end ( my first one took a month or more) that you will be pleased with yourself . The next one will be easier. I have been a member since 2016 , started at 74 , with minimal knowledge from when I was 14 . Bought an electric when I retired (less finger effort for chords and bends) , joined this site and haven’t looked back . I also have fat short fingers and know what you are going through, on top of that I have rheumatoid in my hands so my joints are not very flexible so I compensate by using my own finger placements and tilt the guitar forward . I know I will never be a virtuoso , but the satisfaction of sitting down and playing what I have learned , mastering new ones that at one time seemed unreachable , even making up some of my own , gives me great pleasure . Retirement sometimes gives you some time to fill during the day and this is a great and entertaining way to give us some self satisfaction . Hope things are safe in England during these trying times . My best wishes from Canada . Bob.
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January 25, 2021 at 10:29 am #231078
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your reply – sorry for the delay in responding. We’re managing to stay safe, but two daughters keep finding me jobs to do!! (Glad the other one lives in Germany).
Reading your message was an inspiration to me, thanks. I suppose that I am thinking about what other ‘proper’ musicians will think if they hear me struggling and making a mess but, like you say, I ain’t never going to pack an arena, so what the hell!
Only been to Canada once (Toronto) on business, years and years ago, but what a stunning country!
Best regards and stay safe,
TONY
Tony W
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January 24, 2021 at 8:55 am #231016
Hi Guys,
So here I am, aged 71 and wishing that I had done like some of my friends way back in the 1960’s, and learnt the guitar. They are now excellent players, having performed with various groups all over, and I’m wondering if it’s just too late for me now, at my age! Do I subscribe, or not?
What would I like to achieve? Well, I doubt very much that I have enough years left to become a world famous guitarist, packing arenas worldwide with adoring fans!! But I would honestly just like to be able to understand and strum along with some of the types of music I like, such as – Blues, Bluegrass, Irish Traditional, Sea Shanties (because I like sailing) and, of course, some of the 60’s music that I grew up with.
So what’s my main problems and drawbacks? Well, I have large hands and fat fingers, so I find that I am muting more strings than I am actually playing, plus the top knuckle of the index finger on my left hand is well bent (age and injury), and I just can’t stretch my fingers as much as I would like. Oh, yes, and I can’t read music!! So really, I would need a wide nut guitar to give me more spacing between the strings, and maybe allow me to play strings instead of muting them, but finding an affordable one for a beginner is not easy!
So, where do I go from here? I would dearly love to be able to play a electric guitar, but should I throw the towel in and start to consider taking up the bass guitar, which might be easier for me to cope with in view of my large hands and fat fingers.
Has anyone else had the same problem?
Regards,
TONY W
Hi Tony! It’s never too late to get into music, especially if you have a passion to it! It doesn’t take long to see your first results, unless you practice everyday and do it with passion!
If you can't change the situation - change your reaction.
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January 25, 2021 at 10:35 am #231079
Hi Josh,
I hear what you are saying, and it’s all about adapting, isn’t it? Finding another way to play a chord if your fingers won’t stretch, and altering your style. Thanks.
I have to admit that I was a little dubious about joining this site, I have looked at lots of other sites and there didn’t seem to be any member interaction. So full marks to Brian, he’s got it absolutely ‘spot on’, and everyone (the members) are so friendly and helpful, so I can’t fault it – great!
Thanks again to you, and everyone, for giving me the inspiration to just get on and do it.
Regards,
TONY
Tony W
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January 30, 2021 at 1:31 pm #232101
Hi Tony.
I am in the UK (Yorkshire) as well and have just joined.
I am heading for 70 and have had a guitar since I was 10 and Bert Weadon play in a day (yeh right)
Although I have mainly played drums in groups and guitar in Christian church groups.
You are right about a guitar and relaxing, you can just sit and play a load of scales or anything come to that and its instant wind down.
Now your fears about chord shapes. There are only 3 notes in a chord. Root, third and 5th. You need the root – the third will signify major or minor – and the 5th you can change to a 7th as they have with the A above.
Next there are 3 shapes , the A shape and the E shape and the G shape and you can play these anywhere on the fretboard. So if you can’t Bar chord it doesn’t matter (when you get to that) Pic attached that I hope explains all.Attachments:
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February 10, 2021 at 8:51 am #234497
Hi Martin,
Thanks for the message, and sorry for my late reply, it’s lambing time at my daughters farm, so all hands to help at times – I suppose you could say that I have been practicing Baa chords 😉
I haven’t got my head around “root, third and fifth” yet, no prior musical involvement or knowledge isn’t helping my old, senile brain.
I think you’ll have read, in my very first message, what I ‘hope’ to be able to achieve, but we’ll see.
I’m just outside Huddersfield, on the way to Sheffield. Where are you?
Regards,
TONY
Tony W
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February 14, 2021 at 1:07 pm #234975Anonymous
I’m an oldie too, Tony. My only advice, keep it fun. If it becomes work, screw it. There’s enough work in life, sometimes just to get the body to work at all is work. Remember, none of us will ever know it all, so just get some basics like the scale shapes and the caged system so you don’t get lost on the fretboard and then pick and choose what you learn from there. I skip plenty of Brian’s lessons that I have no interest in.
One thing, I love rockabilly, but my hands don’t spread and my little fingers curl to the inside keeping me from even the most basic rockabilly rhythm. However, I make do by “faking” it, ie: finding different ways to make a similar sound. Don’t care if it’s right or wrong. Again, it’s all about fun. -
February 17, 2021 at 3:06 am #235272
Hi Tony
You’re doing well remember there will be times that you get so frustrated with trying to gat a lick perfect a or a song just to feel good playing it will drive you mad ,,, but if that happens just slow down relax this is not a race as they say take a day off, then back at it with new gusto .
This was me last year did not even have a guitar now just signed up for the second year I still get frustrated annoyed but the pleasure of actually learning to play is so much of a joy, I can now play a few songs (badly ) I’ll admit but who cares no one hears me play infact I’ll do anything to annoy the wife. So good luck on your journey .
BTW I’m just outside Rotherham
Cheers
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