Guitar

[StreetEndBoy]

Is it difficult to learn how to play a guitar reasonably well?
Does it get more difficult with age (40+)

[CAJ1]

My boyfriend taught himself how to play the guitar and is brilliant at it. I'm sure if the drive is there then you will be able to learn. I don't see how being over 40 would make it harder unless you had something like arthritis

[funnygirl]

You should ask Logic this question!!! Lol.

I believe he has been trying to play for the last ten years!!
Ha ha Lol.

[Mortartube]

This is a hard question to answer. I am self taught and started at the age of 39. Basically learning guitar is remembering various patterns that you put your fingers into to make chords. I have taken 4 years to get moderate but I have never had a lesson. If you have lessons, I would say that you should be fairly proficient in about 2 years.

My tip to everyone is to enjoy it. Don't think, I must practice for an hour every day. I play every day but may do 5 mins whilst the kettle boils, then 5 mims another time when the computer reboots etc. I think a slavish practice regime will put many people off.

I would highly recommend it. There is a great joy when you learn a new tune and sing along to it.

I don't think 70 is too old to start. It's about the enjoyment.

[Ankou]

depends what you mean by 'reasonably well'. if you mean strum along to a few tunes then of course.

only way to find out is to give it a go.

[saxy_jag]

I believe there's a perfect instrument for everyone who wants to play one, but there's nothing to stop you trying out the not so perfect ones as well.

I took up guitar and was able to knock out a recognisable tune or two after a few months, but it really wasn't 'me' so I never bothered much after that. How easy (or not) it is to pick up is a very individual thing, depending on the style you want to play, your physical make-up and your intellectual strengths (you need reasonable ambidexterity and sense of rhythm to play a guitar well).

If it's something you really want to do, go for it. There are some good quality, inexpensive guitars out there that are perfectly suitable for beginners. If you decide you like it, then you can upgrade to something else. If not, well, you haven't lost much.

[ludwig]

It's one of the easiest instruments to reach a reasonable amateur standard quite quickly, unlike say the trumpet where it takes five years to learn how to get a note out of it, or the piano which is like learning to play two different tunes on two guitars at the same time.

A complete novice should basically be able to strum along to anything by Status Quo after a few hours of practice.

I'd recommend having a few lessons to start off with, just to get you up and running and give you some direction.

[literati]

MOST helpful advice I can give ( aged 66, playing for 52 years ... !) is GO TO www.youtube.com and Search for Free Guitar Lessons ... There are LOADS and many are very good. Hope you do it ... and I hope your only regret is having missed 25 years of the fun already !! Final thoughts ... DONT give up early on - just because your fingertips hurt a bit ! ... get a guitar with a nice thin neck - thick necks are much harder to learn on.