I’ve recently picked the guitar back up after a long hiatus—decades, really. I’m in my forties, navigating a fairly big life change, and I’ve started having proper guitar lessons.
I’m mostly working on acoustic strumming and some rock-ish stuff, depending on my mood. I’m also really loving transcribing songs for myself.
I’d love to hear from anyone in a similar position of getting back into guitar slightly later in life. Extra points for anyone living the cliché who has picked it up as therapy during a major life change!
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| Approved Teacher, Official Guide & Community Moderator |
Hello, Esther! I’m also picked up guitar slightly later in life (I’m 37) and kinda use it as a therapy through a major life change (I live in Ukraine). Welcome to the Community!
Hi Ester.
Have fun here.
Your gonna have a good time here.
I had decades between putting it down and then a restart too.
You got a 20 year jump on me. You’ll be a rock star by the time you get as old as I am.
At the moment I play simplified campfire’ish versions of my favorite songs by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac, etc. Today I shared my cover of The Beatles “Yesterday” in Community Recordings. Was too afraid to do it for a some time But people here are very nice and supportive.
Welcome, Esther! Good idea to pick up guitar again!
I’ve picked up guitar only in my fifties after serious illness, still fighting to get back to my old “me”. So I can really add to what you call a cliché! Guitar has become one of my trusty anchors, my “therapy”, my remedy . Wish you lots of fun!
Hey I feel that I started around 50 myself during the pandemic when nobody could get together and play haha. I still haven’t my people yet that play so I can play along with them. I wish you the best in your journey have fun and enjoy
Welcome to the community Esther! I started learning guitar for the first time at 60 and have been enjoying it for over 7 years now. Enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
Started to learn only at age 50+, now five years ago, and I was really glad to have learned enough of it when I had a difficult time and could just sit down and doodle along.
Still, when being stressed or coming home, I find my guitar and just sit down and play anything and it makes me feel better!
Oups… didn’t play today yet - now quickly go and get it …
I started at 59. I’ve surely not picked things up as fast as I would have when young. However, I would never have been disciplined to practice enough when I was younger, nor in my 40’s even because of life’s complications. Now in my early 60’s I find learning guitar a simple pleasure I do every night and I’m not sure I would know what to do in the evenings without guitar practice.
But worrying to read from some posters that 37 is considered late in life I’m sure you have a lot of years ahead of you yet, hopefully with a guitar in hand!!!
Welcome aboard!
There are plenty here starting from scratch in later life.
Forties isn’t later! - you’ll get the hang of it faster than some of us, but don’t stress about age, just enjoy the trip as well as the destination.
what are you playing at the moment?