Hi there, decided to get a guitar last week for my 56th birthday with a lot of encouragement from my eldest daughter
It’s a dream I’ve had for a long time but never being good with musical instruments apart from when I was in junior school where I picked up and played the recorder, it got to the point I thought I would never do it, questioning my age
I went and bought an Ibanez GIO got home and thought “what the hell have I just done ?”
Well, I plucked a few strings, didn’t realise it had to be tuned so it sounded awful, that and how the heck are you supposed to hold it?
I turned to YouTube, again my daughters idea, and found loads of online video instructors, a proverbial mine-field, didn’t have a clue where to start with most of them giving different tips and advice.
Then it happened, I see this guy Justin and something just clicked, he explained stuff in layman’s terms and I felt a connection, I understood him.
Spent the third day just watching his videos and then I found his beginners course, amazing!!
With dread I picked up the guitar and just followed his video and before I knew it I made a sound that actually resembled a musical note.
I was over the moon.
That was four days ago, now I am at the part of switching between A and D chords, admittedly with mixed results, and now I have this app and the songs to play along too with the first course, I am having a blast and really enjoying this new adventure
My only regret, I didn’t pick up the guitar instead or the recorder
Good to meet you all
Great stuff Dave, I started playing 10 years ago at the age of 53 after dreaming about it for a long time. That feeling you got when you played your first proper note is just a hint of what you’ll feel when you play your first full song all the way through. Hang in there and stick with it as it’s such fun making music with your own guitar.
Welcome to the community Dave, enjoy the journey 
Hi Dave, welcome to the community. The thrill you got playing your first note is just the beginning, the thrills just keep coming as you start making music. Frustrations are also part of the deal but the good bits far out way the bad.
Welcome to the Community, Dave. You have found a good teacher, are among friends here, and if you follow the programme, slow and steady, you’ll make those dreams reality!
Welcome Dave, hope you have a blast!
Thank you all for the warm welcome
Oh dear, … probably you’re lost forever now you started figuring out the instrument makes sounds if you hit it! And even worse, you found the Justin website! Hope you realize what you got yourself into … hours of struggling with those strings, trying to keep them in tune, your fingers bleeding as you are not someone who easily gives in, and then probably your cat who jumps on you when you try to have some time with the instrument, I can really feel what will be going through your mind and body! Think I did the same, think we all started like this, some from a young age, but there are 80- and 90- uppers who start on this venture, and going fine. Happily for you, you found this treasure trove on the internet where people will help you while coping with similar issues as you will. Enjoy the times the sound grows on you and after a long struggle your instrument becomes your friend. Welcome here, and hope to hear you now and then in the community!
Hi Dave,
Welcome and a lot of fun here …
Greetings,Rogier
Hi Dave, wow, what an amazing whirlwind journey so far! I had the same feelings exactly when I first discovered Justin - he is such an amazing instructor.
Glad you found his site, and welcome to the community!
Hi Dave, less than a week in, you have two chords and the truth.
That is just about all you need for rock and country and roll.
Go for it.
And a warm welcome to the community.
Again, thanks for the warm welcome and kind replies, so glad I stumbled across this site, some amazing people in here and reading other posts has given me a great confidence boost
@Narjuna, fingers aren’t bleeding yet, but sure hurt at times, going by some other posts I came across I must be doing something right
Hi Dave, Welcome, Im originally from Romford. Emigrated to NZ when was young. I started with lessons back in my teens, didn’t really work for me, left it for ages, picked it up again only to drop it several more times over the years.
Not long got onto to Justins courses starting right back at the beginning and got a say loving it.
Good luck with Musical journey.
Hello and welcome to the community David.
A great feeling when your instrument actually makes a sound that can be heard as music.
Hey Dave, John here from Essex too. I’m in Shoebury (Southend) but grew up in Romford…
I’m totally new to guitar too but can only dream of the day I’ve got two chords under my belt 
Hi John and welcome mate
I’m living in Basildon now, spent my younger years in Prittlewell before the family moved to Stock
Only started a few weeks back myself but lovin it, currently on first course, lesson four, so averaging a lesson a week but seems a fair pace
Trying to nail the lesson before moving onto the next one
Hi Dave,
Age is a number the main thing is you want to learn and have a passion for it and you have made the first 2 big steps the guitar and here so have fun all around to help and Justin a great teacher
A
David Essex… We’re gonna make you a star! 
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Cheers for the reminder of what the initial rush of blood felt like when ‘music’ emanated from the six-string. (Still have the old GIO although have moved on to greener pastures).
Stick with it and you will not be disappointed.
Oh, yeah: Welcome!
.
@brianlarsen somebody just had to do it 
Moved from the GIO myself as I already know the direction of my music, aiming for more of a blues/jazz and country feel so with my overtime payout I bought a Gretsch 2420 hollow body and I love it, fantastic guitar and feels right
Slightly wider neck than the GIO so managing the strings a little better which is good, helping with the finger stretching too
