You are very welcome and thank you for watching the video! I'm glad you no longer feel that you are wasting your time. You can do this! Never give up! Stay tuned for more videos and remember, you are never too old. You got this, my friend.
63 and never played 🎸 I am anxiously waiting for my 1st guitar to be delivered. I'm watching videos so I have a better understanding of what when and how... and all that jazz. I'm so excited about my new endeavor. Reading the are comments very encouraging! Thanks, my friend, for sharing great tips with us!
Great advice. I am 78 yrs young pro drummer which really helps. My new retirement guitar lesson lesson is do not hunch over your guitar, stand as much as possible and take frequent breaks. Save your back, shoulder and wrist. Enjoy
Thanks for sharing your wisdom, that's some great advice, I'll have to try standing a bit more when I practice! I've been sitting down too much, great tips here.
I just became 73. Mid summer I began having problems with arthritis. By August it was unbearable. Got "the shot" and I was able to resume playing my guitar. I used to practice daily. It took some patience to get back into shape. Don't give up.
I can vouch for warming up. Absolutely crucial. Flex them muscles and let the blood flow. 66 years old. Began playing at 15. Was a very competent amateur. I suffer from neuropathy these days. The accursed tremors in both my hands have ruined my playing. Like using the pinky for those pull-offs and hammer-ons has become a nightmare. I used to do a decent version of "Time in a Bottle". Now, it is Old Father Time that has caught up with me. Still I persist: John Denver, Neil Young, Paul Simon, James Taylor, more Jim Croce and others. Um no longer hitting the notes cleanly and sharply but playing continues to "fill up my senses like a night in the forest ...". Long live the 60s and 70s!
Cheers to you for continuing on your guitar journey! Thank you for sharing your story and long live the 60s and 70s! I love all of those artists (guitarists) that you mentioned.
Great advice to be true. I am 76 and am learning to play all over again. I started guitar when I was 12 - played professionally from 15. when I got my union card, accompanying singers (I can't sing well enough to do it in public - sigh...), playing in bands, an adult orchestra & as a sideman in recording studios on everything from jingles to Hollywood movie scores. At 25, I was playing with top people & I knew I was at that point where I was good enough to know I would never be good enough (better head than hands - which are small) - a great SECOND guitarist. I got married, started a 50-year career as a consulting software developer (at this I really WAS good enough). I still played guitar some for decades, but stopped completely for the last several decades. I have several guitars still. I was basically a Stratocaster & custom acoustic player, a fingerpicker (ala Jeff Beck or Wes Mongtomery). Now, though my health is more like a 50 year old, I have arthritis in my right middle finger that keeps it bent and it's a lockup "trigger finger," so I'm learning to play this time with a plectrum. No fingerpicking unless I have surgery on it or learn to pick with index and ring finger. I have a '64 sunburst Strat with original case & accoutrements (but keep it now as an "investment" guitar) and a '64 tube Twin Reverb & more recent Fender Champion 20 practice amp with some effects (I suggest that everybody add at least reverb to their amp if it doesn't have it - it does wonders for the tone you will hear). I play primarily on my mid-1990s "Frankenstrat," an American standard with virtually everything redone by my luthier & me to be equal or better than a Custom Shop Strat (only the Alder body & the neck & rosewood fretboard remain - its refinished in nitrocellulose & has all top-tier hardware, hand-wound pickups & custom Lindy Fralin-style wiring). For acoustic, I have a 1948 (my birth year) D-18 (I love mahogany) and a 1964 Guild D-40 that has been through the wars from studios to Texas roadhouses. It looks like the relic it is, but plays more like an electric than any acoustic I've ever had with that extraordinary neck. I just ordered an ES-335, my first archtop, which should arrive for me next week. It's coming with Ernie Ball Cobalt 9-42 strings (I also am planning to put Cobalt 8-38 on the Strat to test them). The 335 will be pre-setup by the dealer's techie with low even relief (0.0625!) & the lowest action possible to not have fret buzz or dead notes. Buying a new guitar is a wonderful tip you should recommend - there's nothing like a new axe and spending money to spur you on to practice. I was always self-taught or by better musicians I played with, but this time, I'm being very methodical, learning the proper way to hold and angle the pick, what muscles to move & what to relax, how to keep your left wrist loose & straight, how to hold the guitar at the best angle not to hurt my wrists when playing, how to do a proper tremolo (I always did the classical guitar tremolo, which is wrong for other genres), all of the basics. I warm up and practice every day, running up and down each string from index to pinky, then pinky to index backward, trying to rebuild that long-lost muscle memory and connect each finger directly to the brain, not to given notes. I seem to have naturally come up with the 5-minute idea for practice and, since all my guitars are out, do it several times a day. I am also using hand squeeze grip strengtheners to build up my hand strength and have seen significant improvement in just a couple of months. I found it easier, BTW, to do the 4-finger "fret walk" from the 5th fret (low A note) to the 8th fret rather than starting out at the nut where the gaps are wider. When I got that down, I moved a fret lower and again when I have built up some speed and agility (especially with my ring and pinky finger) I will move closer to the nut. Another good idea is to alternate between two strings as you walk (fret 5 on the E string picking down, fret 6 on the A string, picking up, fret 7 back on the E string, then Fret 8 on the A string. When I get comfortable with this, I'll start skipping the A string and do the same exercise on the E & D string, A & G string, D & B string, etc. Almost any simple exercise you set up and repeat over and over as part of your practice will help you connect your brain directly to your fingers, without even thinking about what notes you are playing. I have subscribed to your channel & hope to get a lot more ideas. My idea for the future is the be able to play all of a single note up and down the fretboard - say to run from the lowest A to the highest, covering every string, then doing it with Bb so I learn where on the neck every single note is. I haven't found a suitable teacher here, so I hope I can rely on your material. Next year I'm getting an AIO Les Paul Goldtop - they are under $500 and people are raving about them. They apparently eat Epiphones alive & compare with the actual Gibson version. Some extraordinary inexpensive guitars are showing up (amid the usual garbage - be careful - a hard-to-play inexpensive guitar will kill your resolve faster than anything else). Thanks again for thinking of us alta-cockers still into the music. Oh, yeah, another tip: have a technician (or do it yourself, if you know how) do a complete polishing of the frets, including the edges. Nothing's worse than feeling grunge when you bend a string or pain as you slide up the neck.
Wow, my friend! You have truly shared your heart and your many many years of guitar experience here and I appreciate that very much. I think everyone that reads this message would agree that we can all learn some guitar wisdom from you. I also appreciate the many tips and ideas for future videos that you shared in this comment. I am going to consider these seriously for future videos, as my own personal mission is to teach 1,000,000 people to learn to play the guitar and I can't do it on my own. Thank you sharing and please let us know if you ever get that '64 Sunburst Strat out and play it? I bet it sounds awesome! I'm going to check out the AIO Les Paul Goldtop, as well. Thank you, thank you!
I'm 73. I started playing when I was 12. I play in a bluegrass band several hours a week. I can stand for a couple of hours on a gig playing with a strap with no problems. I do sweat, so, wearing a hat helps keep it out of my eyes. My fingers on the left hand are so callused they never hurt. I tend to wear the nail of my right index finger off playing hard with a pick. Sometimes I use a band-aid on that finger, which gets shredded. Other than that, I'm full throttle. Now the voice is another thing entirely. My timing is still good, I know the words, but, I don't have the range I used to have. Strangely, some nights, it all comes back strong, while other nights the force is just not with me. Still fun though.
I hit 66 this past September 2024, I can't imagine putting the guitar down. I've stumbled into some great lessons and I'm having a great time (STILL) learning.
I’ve been playing for a long time. Bob Dylan was my first guitar tech. JK I had a motorcycle crash when I was 58 that put me in a wheelchair and I’ve got problems with my fingers and arms that I believe is an arthritis issue. But I still try to play everyday and I’ve given myself lots of options. Guitar, mandolin, 3-string cigarbox guitar, lap steel and just recently, a keyboard. One of the things that help my fingers are compression gloves. Also, lightweight. I have a Traveler guitar that’s about 4lbs, a Godin that is around 6lbs, an Epiphone LP and a couple S-style that are lightweight. I had to sell my two best guitars because they were just too heavy. A 335 and a Tele Thinline that I had for 37 years. But rather than letting remain in their cases forever. I sold them and got a new Strat that’s 7lbs and is totally playable. I will never quit trying to play, some kind of instrument.
The best advice I can give anyone playing at an older age is to take off your wrist watch. that solved a couple of problems I was having. Great video!🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸
Some great tips! That last one is important. At 64 I just finished touring with Shawn Phillips who is still going strong at 81!!! What an inspiration he is.
Thank you! Wow! Shawn Phillips is an incredible guitarist - musician, I'll bet you can tell us all some stories about touring with him. Awesome that you playing music with him. Thank you for checking out the video and thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, my friend!
@@UnitedEffect sleep walker woman that long hair and cape epitome of cool..you're some lucky..and I imagine you too are quite talented and that song that escapes me right now but the title is as long as the song..you know the one...anyway cheers and stay tuned
I am 74 I started playing in 2010 when I was 60 yrs old ! Still getting better ! Just remember everything is a state of mind ! If you believe your old and getting worse you will ! Diet is important and genes play their part ! But your mind can make you or break you !
I started with 52 now I'm 65, practice every day, play sometimes for hours and brought it on campfire level, not more. I feel not able to bring it even on a low band level. Maybe I'm not skilled enough.
Great tips thanks ! For me at 56 an old neck injury is the biggest problem causing pain. I find myself leaning forward focusing on my fingers forming clean chords, and this aggravates my neck.
Thanks for sharing your story, it's encouraging for all of us with injuries and set backs on our guitar journeys to hear this. I recommend to make sure you aren't causing damage to your neck, check with your physician to see if there are positions or therapies that you can use to lessen the strain on your neck as you play, and cheers to you for hanging in there, my friend!
Thanks I just turn 66 years old. I just retired 5 years ago. I always wanted to learn how to playa guitars and for a hobby being retired. After my mom RIP passed away almost 3 years ago. I purchased my first guitar. Originally, I started to learn on my own. Because cost for sessions were pretty high. I found a instructor that lives near me at a reasonable rate and is helping me in my journey of learning to play the guitar. I know I’m not gonna be a Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy page . My goal is to learn how to play music examples AC/DC and Queen Songs. As you mentioned, it can’t be overwhelming. So I try to take small steps. Have a two year plan. It’s like building a foundation step-by-step and having fun on my journey plus I love to challenge myself. Thank you. Hope you have more videos of people our age that are learning guitar in the 60s on their journey appreciate it.I subscribe to your channel 😊
Never had a guitar , never really wanted one until last year when I heard Mark Knopler and I just love "Going Home". If I bought myself a guitar (age 84) and simply followed some one playing the notes could I master this or have I got to start with the "basics" I know Mark Knopler has sold his guitars and he is 9 years younger than me. I'me clearly a late starter!
❤ hey Bob... turned 61 in November & I'm actually looking for a guitar learning platform, so you may be my answer / teacher, getting the free download & starting there.... Thank you for sharing this you tuber, very helpful
That's great! I'm so excited for you. The free download is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for more and Happy Birthday! Welcome to the community.
Yeah, nowadays, if you take your guitar into a guitar store and ask them to lower the action, they’ll scratch your head and look at you like you’ve got the third eyeball. Music stores today are not the music stores of old. Trying to find a true Luther is very difficult in this day and age.
I'm driving an 1 and 50 minutes to get to a competent luthier for my Martin. It's worth it for lowering the action and a perfect setup. Like you say, go to Guitar Center and they'll always say your setup looks good. I also have a local guitar shop nearby, but it's one of those that look at you with disdain if you are a beginner or advanced beginner like myself. You can feel the snobbery when you walk in the place.
I hear you! I used to have a great Luthier at a local Guitar Center 15 years ago, he was in a band at night and fixing guitars in the afternoons. I counted on him many times to set up and reset my guitars, but since he left, I either do it myself or go to my locally owned shop, they are good here and that’s hard to find 👍🏼 thanks for the comments!
Good tips for this arthritic 63 yo. Doesn’t help that I dislocated my ring finger waterskiing this past summer and it’s never really come back to 100%. Now I gotta go look at your other vids to see that LP (mine is an Epi LP Standard Honey Burst)
Thanks for watching! I love the Epi LP Standards, they sound great! 👍🏼🎸 Appreciate the tips. I used to have arthritis in my left shoulder and recently recovered from hand/wrist injuries so I can relate, my friend. Thanks for joining our community here.
I have that condition Dupuytren contracture that my pinky finger is bent, (at least it's bent in the fretting position) that I see the doctor Tuesday for. I pray I don't need a surgery that sidelines me. Just when you get going. Argh!
My moisture content in my house is to variable to keep my acoustics out of it's case. At least the acoustic is easier to pick up to play than my electrics as I have to set up my amps. I don't have a music room. I did just buy another 5 watt light amp that I am just plugging straight in, no pedal or anything to make breaking out my electrics less of a chore. You must not have a dog if you trust that Les Paul leaning next to you amp. Holy headstock break Batman! Thanks for the tips as I'm a sexagenarian too.
Great points here! I have lived in all kinds of climates (too humid, too dry, hot, cold, etc..) and I agree with you on protecting that beloved axe from cracking, warping, etc.. since I'm in the mountains now with a dry & cold climate & heater vents are really bad on acoustic guitars, I often put my acoustics in their cases with humidity packs. As far as the dog, I have a German Shepherd, but he's very chill in my music room and I have a special guitar stand for the LP but... thanks for reminding me not to keep it leaning against the stack! Great tips here on using small practice amps for electric guitars, makes it easier to "plug in and play". Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks!
One thing that could be causing this is not pressing straight down on the strings with your fingers curled properly so they don’t touch the other string. Usually this only occurs with certain chords, let us know if that helps. Thanks for the great question, this is a common issue for beginner guitarists.
So hears a new one for you… I’m 77 left handed and deaf. I mean completely deaf. My very sophisticated hearing aids take the sounds and turn them to digital components and play them back to my brain into what the sound and voices most probably sound like. I read the singers lips so that I can learn the song. I play the song video slowly so that I can learn to play the melody. I’m encouraged by my progress. Paul McCartney is left handed and plays left handed instruments. I own nothing but left handed guitars even a Hofner ignition bass like Paul plays.
Thank you for sharing your experience. This is very encouraging, not only for me, but for other guitarists that struggle with learning and playing the guitar because of health reasons, etc.. Paul McCartney has always been an incredible influence on my guitar playing, he's a true genius and I love all of the music he has created. It's great that you have found ways to learn songs and play the guitar despite being deaf. That is incredible! Thank you so much for sharing and if you can think of any ideas that I might incorporate in my teaching videos for people like you, please let me know. Cheers!
I'm 67 and on my way to Heaven but until then I.'ll keep jamming for Jesus. If Ted Nugent can still get excited to play in his mid 70's I certainly can.
Thanks for the tips as I am over 70 and though I have been banging on this guitar for over 50 years off and on and so still not very good its been over 50 sense I broke a string playing. Though I really don't get any pains your lighter string gauge got my attention I thought that might make it easier, however is there a greater chance they are going to break when I'm playing in front of a bunch of people ??? And if so how can I prevent that ??? Anybody please answer.
Great question! Lighter gauge strings can be a little more prone to breaking, so try using a good quality string and always tune your guitar up to pitch slowly and carefully to avoid breakage. I use a lighter pick for extra light strings too (Jim Dunlop .38mm Nylon Picks). Personally, I have not broken a string in years, as I've grown accustomed to the lighter strings. Thanks for watching!
Light strings allow you to play with less effort. A good tip for any gauge strings is to Lighten up your grip on fret hand & hit softer on strum hand. Relax
Great tip! I agree, and it’s fun to just “noodle” around on the fretboard without shredding licks. Lots of great guitarists play B.B King 🎸👍🏼😃 thanks for the helpful comment.
A guitar can really be a danger to someone’s health … especially if they are too close to me when I play.🤣. Yes, warming up is important b/4 you start playing. That being said, I always run a 5K before I begin playing🤣.
I am just turned sixty I have never practiced before playing and I play guitar for hours at a time most days with no problems so I don't understand all this practice before you play it's a waste of time just start playing the songs you like done and dusted
Thanks for checking out the video. EVH used to jam "Somebody Get Me a Doctor" .... loved playing that song on guitar, might have to do a video on that soon! Thanks!
Thank you. At 73, I began wondering if I was wasting my time. I no longer feel that way.
You are very welcome and thank you for watching the video! I'm glad you no longer feel that you are wasting your time. You can do this! Never give up! Stay tuned for more videos and remember, you are never too old. You got this, my friend.
@@allaboutguitaracademyYou look and sound a bit like Doc Severinsen. That's a compliment! I enjoyed and found your video helpful.
And why are we not teaching him to play? Seems like these days we have turn to the young Kids to get schooled.
I wander all the time. 😮. Focus more my issue
@@allaboutguitaracademyI play for 60 years. But never learned theory. Other than very basic. It is opening up the whole song library 😊
I'm 68 years old and love your lessons.❤❤
Awesome! Welcome to our community and thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoy the lessons 😃👍🏼🎸
63 and never played 🎸 I am anxiously waiting for my 1st guitar to be delivered. I'm watching videos so I have a better understanding of what when and how... and all that jazz. I'm so excited about my new endeavor. Reading the are comments very encouraging!
Thanks, my friend, for sharing great tips with us!
Awesome to hear from you, welcome to the guitar community and I hope you have a blast playing 🎸!
66 years old with dementia but still going strong because of playing my guitar 🎉
Awesome that you are playing guitar in spite of dementia! 👍🏼😃🎸 thanks for watching and sharing your comments, my friend.
Great advice. I am 78 yrs young pro drummer which really helps. My new retirement guitar lesson lesson is do not hunch over your guitar, stand as much as possible and take frequent breaks. Save your back, shoulder and wrist. Enjoy
Thanks for sharing your wisdom, that's some great advice, I'll have to try standing a bit more when I practice! I've been sitting down too much, great tips here.
I just became 73. Mid summer I began having problems with arthritis. By August it was unbearable. Got "the shot" and I was able to resume playing my guitar. I used to practice daily. It took some patience to get back into shape. Don't give up.
I can vouch for warming up. Absolutely crucial. Flex them muscles and let the blood flow.
66 years old. Began playing at 15. Was a very competent amateur. I suffer from neuropathy these days. The accursed tremors in both my hands have ruined my playing. Like using the pinky for those pull-offs and hammer-ons has become a nightmare. I used to do a decent version of "Time in a Bottle". Now, it is Old Father Time that has caught up with me.
Still I persist: John Denver, Neil Young, Paul Simon, James Taylor, more Jim Croce and others. Um no longer hitting the notes cleanly and sharply but playing continues to "fill up my senses like a night in the forest ...". Long live the 60s and 70s!
Cheers to you for continuing on your guitar journey! Thank you for sharing your story and long live the 60s and 70s! I love all of those artists (guitarists) that you mentioned.
@@SilverPenguin-kc5qp
Thanks for this. Yes, I agree. Dr Berry is the best.
Great advice to be true. I am 76 and am learning to play all over again. I started guitar when I was 12 - played professionally from 15. when I got my union card, accompanying singers (I can't sing well enough to do it in public - sigh...), playing in bands, an adult orchestra & as a sideman in recording studios on everything from jingles to Hollywood movie scores. At 25, I was playing with top people & I knew I was at that point where I was good enough to know I would never be good enough (better head than hands - which are small) - a great SECOND guitarist. I got married, started a 50-year career as a consulting software developer (at this I really WAS good enough). I still played guitar some for decades, but stopped completely for the last several decades. I have several guitars still. I was basically a Stratocaster & custom acoustic player, a fingerpicker (ala Jeff Beck or Wes Mongtomery). Now, though my health is more like a 50 year old, I have arthritis in my right middle finger that keeps it bent and it's a lockup "trigger finger," so I'm learning to play this time with a plectrum. No fingerpicking unless I have surgery on it or learn to pick with index and ring finger. I have a '64 sunburst Strat with original case & accoutrements (but keep it now as an "investment" guitar) and a '64 tube Twin Reverb & more recent Fender Champion 20 practice amp with some effects (I suggest that everybody add at least reverb to their amp if it doesn't have it - it does wonders for the tone you will hear). I play primarily on my mid-1990s "Frankenstrat," an American standard with virtually everything redone by my luthier & me to be equal or better than a Custom Shop Strat (only the Alder body & the neck & rosewood fretboard remain - its refinished in nitrocellulose & has all top-tier hardware, hand-wound pickups & custom Lindy Fralin-style wiring). For acoustic, I have a 1948 (my birth year) D-18 (I love mahogany) and a 1964 Guild D-40 that has been through the wars from studios to Texas roadhouses. It looks like the relic it is, but plays more like an electric than any acoustic I've ever had with that extraordinary neck. I just ordered an ES-335, my first archtop, which should arrive for me next week. It's coming with Ernie Ball Cobalt 9-42 strings (I also am planning to put Cobalt 8-38 on the Strat to test them). The 335 will be pre-setup by the dealer's techie with low even relief (0.0625!) & the lowest action possible to not have fret buzz or dead notes. Buying a new guitar is a wonderful tip you should recommend - there's nothing like a new axe and spending money to spur you on to practice. I was always self-taught or by better musicians I played with, but this time, I'm being very methodical, learning the proper way to hold and angle the pick, what muscles to move & what to relax, how to keep your left wrist loose & straight, how to hold the guitar at the best angle not to hurt my wrists when playing, how to do a proper tremolo (I always did the classical guitar tremolo, which is wrong for other genres), all of the basics. I warm up and practice every day, running up and down each string from index to pinky, then pinky to index backward, trying to rebuild that long-lost muscle memory and connect each finger directly to the brain, not to given notes. I seem to have naturally come up with the 5-minute idea for practice and, since all my guitars are out, do it several times a day. I am also using hand squeeze grip strengtheners to build up my hand strength and have seen significant improvement in just a couple of months. I found it easier, BTW, to do the 4-finger "fret walk" from the 5th fret (low A note) to the 8th fret rather than starting out at the nut where the gaps are wider. When I got that down, I moved a fret lower and again when I have built up some speed and agility (especially with my ring and pinky finger) I will move closer to the nut. Another good idea is to alternate between two strings as you walk (fret 5 on the E string picking down, fret 6 on the A string, picking up, fret 7 back on the E string, then Fret 8 on the A string. When I get comfortable with this, I'll start skipping the A string and do the same exercise on the E & D string, A & G string, D & B string, etc. Almost any simple exercise you set up and repeat over and over as part of your practice will help you connect your brain directly to your fingers, without even thinking about what notes you are playing. I have subscribed to your channel & hope to get a lot more ideas. My idea for the future is the be able to play all of a single note up and down the fretboard - say to run from the lowest A to the highest, covering every string, then doing it with Bb so I learn where on the neck every single note is. I haven't found a suitable teacher here, so I hope I can rely on your material. Next year I'm getting an AIO Les Paul Goldtop - they are under $500 and people are raving about them. They apparently eat Epiphones alive & compare with the actual Gibson version. Some extraordinary inexpensive guitars are showing up (amid the usual garbage - be careful - a hard-to-play inexpensive guitar will kill your resolve faster than anything else). Thanks again for thinking of us alta-cockers still into the music. Oh, yeah, another tip: have a technician (or do it yourself, if you know how) do a complete polishing of the frets, including the edges. Nothing's worse than feeling grunge when you bend a string or pain as you slide up the neck.
Wow, my friend! You have truly shared your heart and your many many years of guitar experience here and I appreciate that very much. I think everyone that reads this message would agree that we can all learn some guitar wisdom from you. I also appreciate the many tips and ideas for future videos that you shared in this comment. I am going to consider these seriously for future videos, as my own personal mission is to teach 1,000,000 people to learn to play the guitar and I can't do it on my own. Thank you sharing and please let us know if you ever get that '64 Sunburst Strat out and play it? I bet it sounds awesome! I'm going to check out the AIO Les Paul Goldtop, as well. Thank you, thank you!
I'm 73. I started playing when I was 12. I play in a bluegrass band several hours a week. I can stand for a couple of hours on a gig playing with a strap with no problems. I do sweat, so, wearing a hat helps keep it out of my eyes. My fingers on the left hand are so callused they never hurt. I tend to wear the nail of my right index finger off playing hard with a pick. Sometimes I use a band-aid on that finger, which gets shredded. Other than that, I'm full throttle. Now the voice is another thing entirely. My timing is still good, I know the words, but, I don't have the range I used to have. Strangely, some nights, it all comes back strong, while other nights the force is just not with me. Still fun though.
Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s great to hear that you’re still going strong! Glad you enjoyed the video.
80, still going and will be looking for new gigs in the spring . . . thanks for the tips!
Nice! It’s always encouraging to hear from other mature guitarists like yourself 😁👍🏻🎸 keep on jamming my friend!
I hit 66 this past September 2024, I can't imagine putting the guitar down. I've stumbled into some great lessons and I'm having a great time (STILL) learning.
Awesome! Glad you found us and thanks for checking out the video, appreciate the comments too 👍🏼🎸
I’ve been playing for a long time. Bob Dylan was my first guitar tech. JK
I had a motorcycle crash when I was 58 that put me in a wheelchair and I’ve got problems with my fingers and arms that I believe is an arthritis issue. But I still try to play everyday and I’ve given myself lots of options. Guitar, mandolin, 3-string cigarbox guitar, lap steel and just recently, a keyboard. One of the things that help my fingers are compression gloves. Also, lightweight. I have a Traveler guitar that’s about 4lbs, a Godin that is around 6lbs, an Epiphone LP and a couple S-style that are lightweight. I had to sell my two best guitars because they were just too heavy. A 335 and a Tele Thinline that I had for 37 years. But rather than letting remain in their cases forever. I sold them and got a new Strat that’s 7lbs and is totally playable. I will never quit trying to play, some kind of instrument.
Keep on rocking!
Bob Dylan!? 😃👍🏼 lol… thanks for sharing your story, very encouraging to the rest of us here, welcome to our community, my friend 🎸🎸🎸
I started playing at 65 just by watching videos, now 67 and having a blast! I have an acoustic and a strat wannabe lol
Awesome! Never too late to start playing guitar 🎸 have fun!
The best advice I can give anyone playing at an older age is to take off your wrist watch. that solved a couple of problems I was having. Great video!🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸
Great advice! Thanks for checking out the video 👍🏼🎸 always appreciate the tips from fellow guitar players.
Some great tips! That last one is important. At 64 I just finished touring with Shawn Phillips who is still going strong at 81!!! What an inspiration he is.
Thank you! Wow! Shawn Phillips is an incredible guitarist - musician, I'll bet you can tell us all some stories about touring with him. Awesome that you playing music with him. Thank you for checking out the video and thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, my friend!
@@UnitedEffect sleep walker woman that long hair and cape epitome of cool..you're some lucky..and I imagine you too are quite talented and that song that escapes me right now but the title is as long as the song..you know the one...anyway cheers and stay tuned
I really like the way you teach tanx
Thank you 👍🏼😃 for checking out the video, more coming soon, my friend 🎸🎸🎸
Great video. thank you, Mike 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸
Thank you, Mike! 👍🏼🎸
I am 74 I started playing in 2010 when I was 60 yrs old ! Still getting better ! Just remember everything is a state of mind ! If you believe your old and getting worse you will ! Diet is important and genes play their part ! But your mind can make you or break you !
Such true guitar 🎸 wisdom here, thank you my friend 👍🏼 I agree 100% with everything you just said. Thank you so much for your helpful comments.
I started with 52 now I'm 65, practice every day, play sometimes for hours and brought it on campfire level, not more. I feel not able to bring it even on a low band level. Maybe I'm not skilled enough.
@@u.g.7162 Remember this " If you never give up trying You will never be defeated " Everyday is a new day !
I’m a 66 year old beginner. Thanks for this info!
You’re welcome! Thanks for checking out the video and welcome to the community 👍🏼🎸😃
now 91, why wasn't I told this before. Thanks, John
Thanks for checking out the video, John! 👍🏼😃🎸 that’s awesome that you are still jamming at 91, my friend. Stay tuned for more!
Great tips thanks ! For me at 56 an old neck injury is the biggest problem causing pain. I find myself leaning forward focusing on my fingers forming clean chords, and this aggravates my neck.
Thanks for sharing your story, it's encouraging for all of us with injuries and set backs on our guitar journeys to hear this. I recommend to make sure you aren't causing damage to your neck, check with your physician to see if there are positions or therapies that you can use to lessen the strain on your neck as you play, and cheers to you for hanging in there, my friend!
@ cheers !
Thanks
I just turn 66 years old. I just retired 5 years ago.
I always wanted to learn how to playa guitars and for a hobby being retired.
After my mom RIP passed away almost 3 years ago. I purchased my first guitar.
Originally, I started to learn on my own. Because cost for sessions were pretty high. I found a instructor that lives near me at a reasonable rate and is helping me in my journey of learning to play the guitar. I know I’m not gonna be a Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy page . My goal is to learn how to play music examples AC/DC and Queen Songs.
As you mentioned, it can’t be overwhelming. So I try to take small steps. Have a two year plan. It’s like building a foundation step-by-step and having fun on my journey plus I love to challenge myself. Thank you. Hope you have more videos of people our age that are learning guitar in the 60s on their journey appreciate it.I subscribe to your channel 😊
Great goal! I'm glad you found an instructor that's helping you on your guitar journey. Thanks for sharing your story, stay tuned for more videos!
@ thanks ☺️
That’s awesome! Keep up the good work!
Thank you for such an inspiring video!
Glad to inspire, thanks for watching! 🎸
Never had a guitar , never really wanted one until last year when I heard Mark Knopler and I just love "Going Home". If I bought myself a guitar (age 84) and simply followed some one playing the notes could I master this or have I got to start with the "basics" I know Mark Knopler has sold his guitars and he is 9 years younger than me. I'me clearly a late starter!
Glad you jumped into guitar and welcome to the community! Mark Knopfler is definitely one of the best and he inspired me too 😃🎸
Thanks for this wisdom. Very inspiring
Absolutely happy to do so 👍🏼😃🎸 glad you got some value from this video.
All these points are so valid 👏. Thank you sir
Thanks for the kind comments, my friend. Glad you enjoyed the video and stay tuned for more!
❤ hey Bob... turned 61 in November & I'm actually looking for a guitar learning platform, so you may be my answer / teacher, getting the free download & starting there.... Thank you for sharing this you tuber, very helpful
That's great! I'm so excited for you. The free download is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned for more and Happy Birthday! Welcome to the community.
Great tips! Thanks! :)
You are welcome and thank you for checking out the video 👍🏼🎸
65 and rocking 🇬🇧🙌❤️
Yes you are! I checked out your channel last week, love that guitar and you sound great, so I subbed. Thanks for checking out the video, my friend.
I didn't pick up guitar until I was sixty...slowly learning.
It’s never too late 👍🏼🎸 welcome to the community!
❤😂I am a guitar player 77 years old 😊,, thanks for the video
That's awesome! Thanks for watching and welcome to our community of guitar players.
66 and still shredding!
Awesome! Glad you are here and stay tuned for more soon.
yup, a few months from 63, and finally decided I want to learn. lol
RIGHT ON! It's never too late to get started. Hope we can help, my friend! Stay tuned for more videos.
Exelent as per usual
😊👍👍
Thank you! Cheers!
Great advice!
You’re welcome! Stay tuned for more videos, my friend!
Yeah, nowadays, if you take your guitar into a guitar store and ask them to lower the action, they’ll scratch your head and look at you like you’ve got the third eyeball. Music stores today are not the music stores of old. Trying to find a true Luther is very difficult in this day and age.
I'm driving an 1 and 50 minutes to get to a competent luthier for my Martin. It's worth it for lowering the action and a perfect setup. Like you say, go to Guitar Center and they'll always say your setup looks good. I also have a local guitar shop nearby, but it's one of those that look at you with disdain if you are a beginner or advanced beginner like myself. You can feel the snobbery when you walk in the place.
I hear you! I used to have a great Luthier at a local Guitar Center 15 years ago, he was in a band at night and fixing guitars in the afternoons. I counted on him many times to set up and reset my guitars, but since he left, I either do it myself or go to my locally owned shop, they are good here and that’s hard to find 👍🏼 thanks for the comments!
Good tips for this arthritic 63 yo. Doesn’t help that I dislocated my ring finger waterskiing this past summer and it’s never really come back to 100%. Now I gotta go look at your other vids to see that LP (mine is an Epi LP Standard Honey Burst)
Thanks for watching! I love the Epi LP Standards, they sound great! 👍🏼🎸 Appreciate the tips. I used to have arthritis in my left shoulder and recently recovered from hand/wrist injuries so I can relate, my friend. Thanks for joining our community here.
I hope it fully heals soon! At least you were having fun when you dislocated it.😅 🖐️. Keep playin'
@@Larrymh07 Thanks, Larry! At my age, I’m calling injuries in action sports a win!
@wayneandrews1022 You are welcome!
I have that condition Dupuytren contracture that my pinky finger is bent, (at least it's bent in the fretting position) that I see the doctor Tuesday for. I pray I don't need a surgery that sidelines me. Just when you get going. Argh!
My moisture content in my house is to variable to keep my acoustics out of it's case. At least the acoustic is easier to pick up to play than my electrics as I have to set up my amps. I don't have a music room. I did just buy another 5 watt light amp that I am just plugging straight in, no pedal or anything to make breaking out my electrics less of a chore.
You must not have a dog if you trust that Les Paul leaning next to you amp. Holy headstock break Batman! Thanks for the tips as I'm a sexagenarian too.
Great points here! I have lived in all kinds of climates (too humid, too dry, hot, cold, etc..) and I agree with you on protecting that beloved axe from cracking, warping, etc.. since I'm in the mountains now with a dry & cold climate & heater vents are really bad on acoustic guitars, I often put my acoustics in their cases with humidity packs. As far as the dog, I have a German Shepherd, but he's very chill in my music room and I have a special guitar stand for the LP but... thanks for reminding me not to keep it leaning against the stack!
Great tips here on using small practice amps for electric guitars, makes it easier to "plug in and play". Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks!
I have a major problem when I practice. My fingers mute the string below the string I’m playing. Any suggestions?
One thing that could be causing this is not pressing straight down on the strings with your fingers curled properly so they don’t touch the other string. Usually this only occurs with certain chords, let us know if that helps. Thanks for the great question, this is a common issue for beginner guitarists.
So hears a new one for you… I’m 77 left handed and deaf. I mean completely deaf. My very sophisticated hearing aids take the sounds and turn them to digital components and play them back to my brain into what the sound and voices most probably sound like. I read the singers lips so that I can learn the song. I play the song video slowly so that I can learn to play the melody. I’m encouraged by my progress. Paul McCartney is left handed and plays left handed instruments. I own nothing but left handed guitars even a Hofner ignition bass like Paul plays.
Thank you for sharing your experience. This is very encouraging, not only for me, but for other guitarists that struggle with learning and playing the guitar because of health reasons, etc.. Paul McCartney has always been an incredible influence on my guitar playing, he's a true genius and I love all of the music he has created. It's great that you have found ways to learn songs and play the guitar despite being deaf. That is incredible! Thank you so much for sharing and if you can think of any ideas that I might incorporate in my teaching videos for people like you, please let me know. Cheers!
Al Capong!!!
YEA! Thanks for watching.
I'm 67 and on my way to Heaven but until then I.'ll keep jamming for Jesus. If Ted Nugent can still get excited to play in his mid 70's I certainly can.
Yea!! 🎸🎸🎸 that’s what I’m talking about 👍🏼😃 go for it! Thanks for joining our community.
Thanks for the tips as I am over 70 and though I have been banging on this guitar for over 50 years off and on and so still not very good its been over 50 sense I broke a string playing. Though I really don't get any pains your lighter string gauge got my attention I thought that might make it easier, however is there a greater chance they are going to break when I'm playing in front of a bunch of people ??? And if so how can I prevent that ??? Anybody please answer.
Great question! Lighter gauge strings can be a little more prone to breaking, so try using a good quality string and always tune your guitar up to pitch slowly and carefully to avoid breakage. I use a lighter pick for extra light strings too (Jim Dunlop .38mm Nylon Picks). Personally, I have not broken a string in years, as I've grown accustomed to the lighter strings. Thanks for watching!
Light strings allow you to play with less effort. A good tip for any gauge strings is to Lighten up your grip on fret hand & hit softer on strum hand.
Relax
and don't get discouraged because you can't 'shred' like a great many YTers do. B.B. King didn't shred and he's a legend.
Great tip! I agree, and it’s fun to just “noodle” around on the fretboard without shredding licks. Lots of great guitarists play B.B King 🎸👍🏼😃 thanks for the helpful comment.
A guitar can really be a danger to someone’s health … especially if they are too close to me when I play.🤣. Yes, warming up is important b/4 you start playing. That being said, I always run a 5K before I begin playing🤣.
Love comments like this 😂 you got me cracking up and thanks for checking out the video 🎸🎸🎸 stay tuned for more!
@ will do👍
I am just turned sixty I have never practiced before playing and I play guitar for hours at a time most days with no problems so I don't understand all this practice before you play it's a waste of time just start playing the songs you like done and dusted
Awesome, that’s great! Thanks for watching 🎸
66 and I agree 😅
Dude I’m 71+.
Thanks for checking out the video! You are in the right company here, my friend.
Hands are stiff
I hear you, it happens to me at times. Finger and wrist exercises have helped me quite a bit. More videos about this coming soon.
Now what? It's all doctors and BS. 😊
Thanks for checking out the video. EVH used to jam "Somebody Get Me a Doctor" .... loved playing that song on guitar, might have to do a video on that soon! Thanks!