Home › Forums › Beginner Guitar Discussions › Learning to play over age fifty
- This topic has 14 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 10 months ago by Dan Crandell.
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March 14, 2021 at 12:14 am #241530
As an older player over Fifty years old, it takes innovation to learn to play the guitar.
This is how I’m going about learning to play the guitar.Maybe the way I’m doing it, and my perspective can help you out.
Jon D
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March 14, 2021 at 2:32 pm #241577
Sorry Jon, on this forum people over 50 don’t qualify as “older players”. You’ll have to wait a couple more decades to reach that status.
But as far as being an innovative guitarist, technically, a 2-year old kid who picks up a guitar for the first time and randomly thrashes on it is already innovative. But it sounds like rubbish because it is rubbish. On the other hand, John Mayer says he “locked himself in his bedroom for 8 years” and learned to play the guitar really well before he became innovative = creative. From ground zero, I practiced for 3 years before I had the skills and experience to begin doing rudimentary improv = innovation. But then I was a lot older than you when I started.
Sunjamr Steve
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March 17, 2021 at 11:21 pm #241868
I’m thankful to be on the same path Steve.
Jon D
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March 14, 2021 at 2:57 pm #241580
Hi John,
I like your goal oriented approach and plan. I’ve been serious about guitar for the past 5 plus years and have made progress but not as much as I would like. I think it’s only recently that I’ve understood what I need to practice to improve but it takes a lot of discipline to actually do the hard yards. To me the improvement will come with seeing the chord shapes and the overlying arpeggio, major scale or pentatonic, recognizing the interval within that shape and knowing or being able to hear how that interval will affect my sound. Also, being able to connect those chord shapes or arpeggios including added tones to create melodic phrases; being able to hear the chord changes and alter my scale or mode to fit. All this requires an intimate knowledge of the fretboard, including knowing all the note names. Then there’s the whole range of technique including improved accuracy and speed of alternate and economy picking and all manner of legato. I agree time needs to be spent on rhythm, including all types of syncopation and triplet feels, strumming and picking. I need to work on becoming familiar with and recognizing chord progressions. This is helped with a basic familiarity with music theory. Then as you mentioned, working on feel and dynamics definitely helped by recording and keen observations of other players. It really is a daunting task that requires a lot of dedication. So, I need to actually incorporate some exercises to help achieve those ends (something I have never incorporated in my playing time). Happy to share any that I find worthwhile and I’d be interested in what you find helpful.
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March 17, 2021 at 11:19 pm #241867
Goal setting has gotten me through when I had no direction, its been a valuable thing for me.
I agree with all that you are saying in this post.
Jon D
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March 14, 2021 at 4:03 pm #241587
50?, geez Sunjmr has underwear older than you. I like your approach though so I’m hoping that it pays off. Good luck on the journey.
..Billy..
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March 15, 2021 at 4:31 am #241609
Hahaha – I’m pretty sure my Calvin Klein underwear are from the 90s….
Sunjamr Steve
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March 15, 2021 at 11:21 am #241636
Ha, you guys are hilarious 😁
I am 52 years young so I have to be smart about this to ensure that I will make it to performing live while I have the energy and interest in it.
Jon D
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March 15, 2021 at 4:21 pm #241658
Intimate and generous sharing, I like it,I like also charljo and sunjamr comments.
Very motivating.
Like the idea of videos as a testament of our growth.
Individual experience are never so individual, they can echoes our own journey, boost motivation, or help to step beyond when we feel stopped. Thank you.Where does the white go when snow melts?
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March 17, 2021 at 11:24 pm #241869
Right on Phil, we are all doing it in our own way, I’m openly sharing my approach to get some feedback, I’ve been the Home Guitar player for some time now, and I’m working on getting out there where the people are.
Jon D
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March 30, 2021 at 6:37 pm #245669
Looks like I’ve found my spot, the over 50 beginners group. I’m having a lot of fun just 3 months in and actually feeling like I’m making some progress. A testament to Brian and his teaching style, head down grinding out the hard yards.
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April 1, 2021 at 12:12 pm #245889
Congratulations, you’re in a great place with Brian as your instructor. The benefits of Brian’s teaching will show themselves in your personal growth as a player.
I encourage you to continue to post and reach out to the community here on Active Melody, you are in great company here and the members will help you along your journey.
Cheers
Jon D
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April 11, 2021 at 9:56 am #246718
Another 50+ beginner here too. I don’t,nor have I ever had any guitar ‘heroes.’ As a youngster anybody I admired was a football (soccer) player to those of you in the US,or sportsperson. I have simply always found myself drawn towards songs and bands with strong guitar based songs and melodies, but not individuals just bands. I think guitar sounds great within a band setting but I am not that keen on stuff that simply involves a guitarist and no more,I just find it a bit self indulgent and boring for my tastes.I have been taking lessons for about 16 months and my aim is simply to enjoy the journey and be proficient. Good luck to the OP and you other ladies and gents on your journeys also.
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April 11, 2021 at 11:20 pm #246740
This is great John, we all have our own point of view, and even though yours is not mine, I’m glad to be a part of the guitar learning community. Nice to be here with you John. Share your stuff, it makes us all better to share.
Jon D
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June 6, 2021 at 7:19 pm #256336
I am 60 and just beginning. Oh boy! Here we go – weeeeeee
Dan Crandell
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