I am 51 now. I first started in my late teens (late 80's). Self taught with material that others gave me and books. In those days we still used cassettes, vinyl was still in use, and CD's were just hitting the scene. The internet was not in use at that time and most people were exposed to music by listening to the radio at work. There was no real help apart from finding others to play with or books, self taught method.
As my name suggests i have a broken pinky. This gradually put a stop to my playing in my early 20's after a pretty hardcore, intensive start. The fact that my guitar was stolen did not help either.
I just picked up playing again 30 years later.
I wish i knew about short scale guitars 30 years ago. I can fret with the broken pinky on a short scale. This is something that i could not really do very well on a standard guitar.
This site has taught me more in 3 weeks than all previous years combined as i had no plan, no direction, and no one to help guide me down the path. Paid for teachers were useless and a waste of resources if it takes them 5 lessons to figure out where you stand as a player. Showing me how to play chords that i already know did not go down well. Paying 15 pounds to a guy who showed me how to play a two chord reggea rhythm is also a waste.
I was a very, very, very, self conscious player. Did not dare to play in the vicinity of others that might hear me. Now i dont give a monkeys. I am going to make mistakes and hit fluff notes. I know this is part of the process when an old dog attempts to learn new tricks.
One aspect of an being an older player is that we tend to have more patience. At least i have more patience now. I am not in a rush to complete the beginner course. This is not a race for me. I am not competing against others. I am on my own journey of discovery. Independant of what others do.
This forum and the people that are here are really helpful to people starting out again or even for the first time. I have been on some game forums where the toxicity just oozes out from the page. I dont get that feeling here. Most are willing to part with bits of info or tricks to help people. I find myself doing it with even with the limited info i can give. But i am not a complete beginner so i still have something to offer.
I got a warm fuzzy feeling when i started playing again. That magic that is music just rubs off on you. And this place is like a nice warm blanket around you.
Way off on some tangent but old dogs can learn new tricks.
Topic: Older guitar students / Can 'older dogs' learn new tricks? (Read 135011 times)
