Can a 58 y.o. learn to play guitar?

[Turdacious]

So I've signed up for a trial lesson w/ that guitar. He signed me up with an older blues guy as my instructor, he said he would be the best fit for me (they have over ten guitar instructors and their music school is one of the biggest in the area) but maybe that was the guy that had an opening. So we'll see what I think next Tuesday.

I told him I wanted to strum along to John Prine songs.

Cool. Once you get better, check and see if there are any amateur blues jams in your area. Have fun with it.

[beefheart]

Thanks to everyone for the input and the encouragement.

The music store owner said if I was patient took a lesson every week and practiced twenty minutes a day, that in three months I would start to feel like I was learning to play the guitar. I've invested a lot more time, effort and money into a lot stupider things.

[Kirk]

I'd like to hear how this works out for you. I've got a friend, now in his early 50s, who started on bass a few years back and is now gigging (on a local level) with a metal band. He plays what he likes and keeps finding things that inspire him to improve. If you can 'give in' to the excitement of playing and play lots you'll do great. I wish I could find the kind of inspiration I had to play that I had when I was a kid (my Mom used to have to make me go to bed so I would get some sleep for school). I didn't have to force myself to practice I just wanted to.

Some ideas on staying inspired: find others, who are supportive, to play with; get a guitar (or guitars) you love; find some sounds (amp/effects) you like to hear - don't play with sounds that you think suck; get subscriptions to some magazines/do some regular reading; etc...

[DARTH]

Thanks to everyone for the input and the encouragement.

The music store owner said if I was patient took a lesson every week and practiced twenty minutes a day, that in three months I would start to feel like I was learning to play the guitar. I've invested a lot more time, effort and money into a lot stupider things.

Pretty much. Practice what you are taught for 20 minutes and then just fuck around for at least 10 minutes.

That's important because you do not want this to feel like practising your times tables as a kid, you want it to be playtime.

Excessive practice is for the obsessed and those out to make it in music. I had to have a fret job done on a sweet PRS with in 5 years after getting it, that's how much you play when your trying to make it.

[beefheart]

I took Gav's advice and ordered 'Guitar Principles' which appears from the description to be a kind of Sarno for the guitar. So I am already committed to the tune of $34.94 (25.72 of Gav's precious euros) even though I have yet to take a lesson.

I am visualizing my future success!!

[DARTH]

'Guitar Principles' probably has all the things I suggested you learn, plus you are taking lessons.

Welcome to the world of the GEETAR!

As Zappa said, You can be Balls with the Bass and Ass with the drums but you can be completly obscene with the guitar.

I was playing Bass at the time but leaning towards the guitar, that statement pushed me over the edge.

Maybe someday we will all strum and pick at a gathering? Milos plays drums. Schlegal plays about 1,000 differnt instruments. Even Gorby can bring his nylon string and I will try not to blast him out with electric furey. ;-)

Kaz can write the lyrics.

[Alfred_E._Neuman]

I've been playing for several months now and have been using http://www.justinguitar.com for my lessons. Forget who here recommended it, but need to look it up and thank them. Each stage of his course has a practice schedule that shows you how much of each session to devote to each skill.

Started on his beginner course, which is based around all the open chords G/C5 power chords and basic rhythm work, and have worked my way nearly through the whole thing. In a couple of weeks I'll be on to the intermediate course which moves into barre chords and more advanced stuff. I figure in a couple of years I'll be tolerable.

I did buy his beginner's song book which has a bunch of easy songs to play that correspond to each stage of the course.

Can't recommend this course enough.

edit:
went back and looked it up and it was Count Truculent who recommended Justin's site to me. THANKS!!

[Count Truculent]

No problem. Glad you're sticking with it.

[Gav]

'Guitar Principles' probably has all the things I suggested you learn

I can guarantee you Dylan you are wrong. That book blew me away. After years of guitar it made me better within days. People like us who just followed our passion learned to lock in some crazy tension in our hands and body while playing. You don't even realise you're doing it. The book unlocks it and makes playing feel a lot easier.
Fortunately for Beefy, he'll be aware of this from the start and will get better much faster. Obviously once he's famous he'll be sending me a monthly check. God I'm starting to sound like Andy.

[DARTH]

'Guitar Principles' probably has all the things I suggested you learn

I can guarantee you Dylan you are wrong. That book blew me away. After years of guitar it made me better within days. People like us who just followed our passion learned to lock in some crazy tension in our hands and body while playing. You don't even realise you're doing it. The book unlocks it and makes playing feel a lot easier.
Fortunately for Beefy, he'll be aware of this from the start and will get better much faster. Obviously once he's famous he'll be sending me a monthly check. God I'm starting to sound like Andy.

So he does not teach the basics of playing guitar? Kind of need root fith chords and a few open chords unless your doing Jump Swamp Blues out of tune or some crazy Robert Fripp shit. :-)

I take it that it's more of the physicals of playing?

I understand the relaxation concepts and many of those types of things.

I don't know how this book goes about it and will look it over.

Besides a handful when I was 6 or 7 I did get lessons a few times. I worked with one guy a month in year 4 of playing and relaxing and selective tension were a big part of what he showed and then when I was playing out 2 year after, I did 2 months with a guy, mainly for more dexterity and efficiency training.

I bet I would like that book, cause I did most of the theory on my own and listening to music geeks in HS.

[beefheart]

Since 10/08/13 my first lesson:

I have had three lessons.

I have practiced every day for a total of 8 hrs, 40 ms.

I sound like shit.

I am having fun.

[Kraj 2.0]

[Master_Blaster]

Beefheart,


Absolutely dude. I've been playing for shy of 15 yrs now. It's one of the most rewarding things to get into. Keep in mind there are times you will get frustrated but with most things the payoff is worth it.


I'd recommend not spending over 3-400 bucks on a "starter brand" ie- Squier (subsidiary of Fender) or Epiphone (subsidiary of Gibson). Electric or Acoustic? It's you, the basics are still the same. Buy said guitar and buy a nice combo (small) amplifier. There are literally HUNDREDS of brands out there but you cant go wrong with a Marshall or Fender. If you are indeed serious buy a small electronic tuner (Korg-brand) but learn to tune by ear. buy a basic chord sheet that shows you the basic chords, learn to find those chords up and down the neck. From there learn the basic minor and Major pentatonic scales.


Sorry if i'm throwing alot at you but I'm passionate about Guitars and Music and love to share the knowledge. I say go for it. NEVER too young to learn. ANY questions at all please feel free to ask or pm me.


I have no idea if you are familiar with any of these but here are some good resources-

marshallforum.com

musiciansfriend.com

guitarcenter.com

sweetwater.com


Enjoy.

[beefheart]

Thanks for the encouragement, I'm beginning to accept that you aren't Rant.

[Master_Blaster]

Thanks for the encouragement, I'm beginning to accept that you aren't Rant.

[Master_Blaster]

Thanks for the encouragement, I'm beginning to accept that you aren't Rant.

[DARTH]

I was a Musicians Friend whore in the 90's! 31 band Graphix EQ, ADA-MP1 Preamp, BBE Sonic Maximizer (because the EQ sucked for guitar and to give me adjustable bass and treble while using the ADA live. (Every room sounds different , so my presets sounded like ass one day and a buddy turned me on to the BBE. Great peice of gear and I will get the pedal version if I end up gigging again.))

[Master_Blaster]

I was a Musicians Friend whore in the 90's! 31 band Graphix EQ, ADA-MP1 Preamp, BBE Sonic Maximizer (because the EQ sucked for guitar and to give me adjustable bass and treble while using the ADA live. (Every room sounds different , so my presets sounded like ass one day and a buddy turned me on to the BBE. Great peice of gear and I will get the pedal version if I end up gigging again.))

The Sonic maximizer definitely has a love/ hate following. I've never personally tried one but it's on my list of pedals in the near future.

[DARTH]

I was a Musicians Friend whore in the 90's! 31 band Graphix EQ, ADA-MP1 Preamp, BBE Sonic Maximizer (because the EQ sucked for guitar and to give me adjustable bass and treble while using the ADA live. (Every room sounds different , so my presets sounded like ass one day and a buddy turned me on to the BBE. Great peice of gear and I will get the pedal version if I end up gigging again.))

The Sonic maximizer definitely has a love/ hate following. I've never personally tried one but it's on my list of pedals in the near future.

It gives you great low range and thump control and does make things clearer, more defined but sometimes it compresses the single too much with some amps. I used it with a Marshall to great effect (but the Marshall was a tube eater from Hell!) the ADA MP-1 should never be run without one IMO but it did not work with my Fender Performer or Peavey Transtube half stack. I sold it to a singer.

[Master_Blaster]

I was a Musicians Friend whore in the 90's! 31 band Graphix EQ, ADA-MP1 Preamp, BBE Sonic Maximizer (because the EQ sucked for guitar and to give me adjustable bass and treble while using the ADA live. (Every room sounds different , so my presets sounded like ass one day and a buddy turned me on to the BBE. Great peice of gear and I will get the pedal version if I end up gigging again.))

The Sonic maximizer definitely has a love/ hate following. I've never personally tried one but it's on my list of pedals in the near future.

It gives you great low range and thump control and does make things clearer, more defined but sometimes it compresses the single too much with some amps. I used it with a Marshall to great effect (but the Marshall was a tube eater from Hell!) the ADA MP-1 should never be run without one IMO but it did not work with my Fender Performer or Peavey Transtube half stack. I sold it to a singer.

Word. I've been told the rackmount version is truly the way to go, but I dont have the Money nor the time right now to go down that road.

My next purchase will be a Marshall JMP-100 2203. I'm going to high-gain mod the ever loving shit out of it.

[DARTH]

Variac? or adding tubes in the preamp stage?

A buddy of mine with an electrical engineering BS took an old POS Crate amp and added a 2, 12 AX7s to it somehow and a Parametric mid sweep and it was sweet as could be. Sounded much like a Mesa IIC and had decent dynamics for the amount of gain it pushed out. It was pure "Garage Days' with the gain only at 10 o,clock at 3o'clock it was a flamethrower, all the way was just too much gain.

But I actually back off the gain when I play a lot any ways. That way my dynamics are more pronounced and when I hit it hard it hits you hard.

[Master_Blaster]

Variac? or adding tubes in the preamp stage?

A buddy of mine with an electrical engineering BS took an old POS Crate amp and added a 2, 12 AX7s to it somehow and a Parametric mid sweep and it was sweet as could be. Sounded much like a Mesa IIC and had decent dynamics for the amount of gain it pushed out. It was pure "Garage Days' with the gain only at 10 o,clock at 3o'clock it was a flamethrower, all the way was just too much gain.

But I actually back off the gain when I play a lot any ways. That way my dynamics are more pronounced and when I hit it hard it hits you hard.

More than likely the extra gain stage w/ the tubes and a post phase inverted master volume. I want to be able to take it from classic rock to shred easily.

My ideal setup would be a late 70's marshall combo's with a Mesa MK series. either a IIc+ or a Mk IV. I agree with you about gain. It's great to have but at the end of the day like you said clarity and dynamics plays a huge role.

[DARTH]

Yep, and I also sometimes like to keep it on the Drive channel, with the gain at about a half way between 2112 like Rush tone and a 'Garage Day's" tone and then step on my Boss Metal Zone and it just goes NUCLEAR FUZZ RAY, especially when I hit my Bi-Fet preamp pedal (I use it to boost the volume and add extra high end for leads) and then set my Morley Wah at about half way.

It's like controlling Dragon's fire but it's neat as shit.

That Metal zone is a nice toy because besides the above Sonic Youth goes to Hell shinanigans, I effectivly have 2 drive channels, so I can back the amp up to Who "Live at Leeds" and AC/DC "If You Want Blood" and then have a face melting Death tone.

Man I have not played in a while. After Sunday I have to make more time and do some more playing.

[Master_Blaster]

Man I have not played in a while. After Sunday I have to make more time and do some more playing.

Symptom of the universe brother. I have a 59' reissue Les Paul that is definitely not getting enough love as of late.

[DARTH]

Man I have not played in a while. After Sunday I have to make more time and do some more playing.

Symptom of the universe brother. I have a 59' reissue Les Paul that is definitely not getting enough love as of late.

A fine bitch like that needs to be fingered daily!