Really nicely outlined Jamolay and I can very much relate to everything you’ve said there.
My parents (now in their mid 80’s) have got, individually, Parkinsons and early-onset dementia, so I’m all too aware of keeping the awful degenerative health issues at bay.
This was very much part of my reason for starting to play again in my late 50’s, but also because, as you say, we can do it for ourselves more than anything else now. And yes, it certainly keeps us off the streets - until we decide to go busking!
Just thought I’d add my guitar story to this forum. Being a senior citizen for too long (late seventies !!) I never thought I’d still be interested in playing the chords to Parisianne Walkways but, one major difference to the motivation of keeping going is having a jam partner to chat about music and throw in ideas.
Which is what happens when my mate comes round and he plugs his Fender into my amp, mostly on a Monday , Covid isolation excepted of course. Been doing this for just a couple of years and we’ve both moved on from wondering what to do with a pentatonic scale to seriously tackling the above song to both get some dynamics into our solo efforts. Thanks to Justin for those lessons by the way.
Essentially, it’s all about having fun as we both know we’re not moving out of my back room to play at the ‘O2’ !
Nevertheless, having seen ‘The Band That Rocks’ on tv recently I secretly yearn to get together with some other old farts and have one last blast!
Just another old dog here. I picked up the guitar during COVID and did a great job of working through Justin’s material until about 5 months ago when I put it down. Even retirees get busy with other stuff. I jumped on the website last night and started to get up to speed with the way things look now. Got the guitar back out today. I’m amazed I’m not rustier! Now…time to put new strings on and get back with the program!
I’ve missed this feed before, so must join the “Old Dog” crew we have here! Some of this is a bit paraphrased from the beginning of my Learning Log.
I started my first time around 1989/90 in my 40’s (No, wait! I just did the Math and I was actually 32 or 33 back then!) Anyway, I bought a Sears Harmony guitar. I ordered a 50-lesson guitar course from the U.S. School of Music, plus a couple of Mel Bay Books. This was before the days of Internet. That lasted two years and then I gave up and quit until around Apr 2015. I was 57. Seven years later, here I am. Sixty-four and still strumming along. Back to 2015, I was inspired by a simple thing. A woman I know showed a group of friends and me a video of her daughter who had started lessons and her performance was so good; it really made me want to play. From there, I started looking around and pretty quickly discovered Justin on YouTube. And now, here I am a proud member of Justinguitar and now jumping in here a part of the “Old Dogs” crew!
I’ve made it through the Intermediate Course - almost. I’ve gone through the end goals. I’ve checked off most of the Bullets from the Intermediate Method Consolidation. A few of those Bullets I’ve checked off still need a little practice and a little more work but I’m ready to move forward to see what comes next; which are three Bonus lessons and then introductions to Folk Fingerstyle, Jazz and Blues. This should help me decide which direction I want to go from there.
A couple more quick comments as to the gear I have acquired since I began again: A Takamine Acoustic, which I still love. Then last summer, I bought a Sterling by Music Man electric and a Boss Katana 50 MK II.
I agree, Joshua - the individual stories here are both comforting and inspiring. I was a little shocked to learn just how many oldsters are stringing up again, but then I remembered that folks around my age (70) who were teens in the 60’s, were all wanting to be like the Beatles et al. So,here we are; I love the sense of camaraderie.
Your post resonated with me on so many levels, and suspect the same is true for others. Yes, as with most everything, there are good and bad days, and learning a complex task can be really, really frustrating at times, but in something like this, having fun should be always the end goal. Besides, as you suggest, it tests character!
I thought it was an excellent ramble…
That is a great story. Inspiration comes when you least expect it and can have life altering effects. You were so lucky to find Justin early in the process. It seems that you’ve come a long way and, most importantly, have a good plan, too!
I’ve said so in other places but I’m 55. I started playing when I was about 40 but just playing songs from tab, no theory, no structure, no practice routine. It got boring and then we sold our house along with my guitars to travel full time in our motorhome. That came to an end thanks to COVID and my dad’s health and we bought a house last year.
Some of that previous stuff stuck with me and some of it comes back quick. Some of it, I never learned, like strumming. But my focus is different. I want to learn guitar, not just play it. I want to be creative. I’ve pretty much passed Grade 1 but I’m letting it all soak in before moving on. I’ve learned a lot and it’s exciting. I can’t wait to learn more.
I should have noticed this thread a while ago. My wife gave me an acoustic at age 60 (4 years ago) for Christmas. I was fortunate enough to find Justin’s site or I am not sure if I would have done anything with it. It was a great passion (addiction?) to take into retirement.
I’m now 4 years into retirement and it just keeps getting better. Justin’s courses keep me moving forward developing new skills while I learn new songs. Enjoy!
Hey! Essie from Maryland. My son-in-law to be introduced me to guitar. He loaned me his acoustic Alvarez from the 90’s and it is beautiful and fun. I am 73, never played before, and am currently still roughing up my fingers! Just started and began first lesson with Justin. It is FUN! Doesn’t matter how old you are, you need to learn something every single day. Enjoy!
Absolutely, I’ve been learning for nearly 60 years now and still learning, there’s always something more to learn with guitar because it’s such a versatile instrument. Keep playing and have fun - fun isn’t exclusive to the younger generations!
Hi everyone, my Yamaha Pacifica 112VM and Yamaha FX370C guitars, a nice 1W Blackstar valve (tube) practice amp and all the other paraphernaila that you need to play a guitar arrived last week. I’m 57 and have never played a guitar in my life, but it seems like I’m a relative youngster here. It was seeing a psychiatrist a few weeks ago that prompted me to learn to play the guitar.
At this moment, arthritis in both hands, minimal movement in my wrists and a dodgy left shoulder means I can barely get my fingers in the correct positions for the A & D chords. That’s without trying to do the 1-minute chord change exercises! Anyway, I’d better get some practice in.
Hi, Another older passionate about guitar and figured that out late in life. I have always admired great guitar players but never thought I would find myself attempting to play. Background in piano but received a gift of a guitar after retiring from 30 years of nursing. Three years into working with Justin and often repeating many of his lessons (ya know the old brain cells can only hold so much) but loving the journey. I too have been a meditator for years, but find that playing guitar actually is like meditation in action. I feel that I get so much out of my practice and playing sessions. I have no specific goals now at fast approaching 69 years of age other than the pure joy of playing this instrument. And since starting with Justin I am now playing baritone uke and just picked up an octave mandolin! Does this GAS ever let up or is there a cure?? Hope all are enjoying this community as much as I am. Namaste’ from East Tennessee!
What an inspiring post!! And 80 open mics!! I am so impressed as I am so nervous about even taping myself. I would love to have just one person to jam with but live rural and know no one here that plays. Good for you Tony for getting out there!!
