Thanks for watching this video! Hope you enjoyed these 3 tips! More videos coming soon my friends. Let me hear your feedback about these 3 tips below. e :)
YourGuitarSage Hey Erik Some musician buddies are starting a band (mostly hip hop hopefully some blues/rock/metal will be involved.) They want me to as the guitarist I watch your videos and take lessons. But I'm a little unsure how traverse the genre ( even thought I love it and grew up with it.) I'm learning lead and rhythm guitar as both are impprtamt but have figured out how to jell to two. Not sure what to do or where to start.
I am seventy year old male and am trying to learn to play the guitar for approx. a year now. My problem is that I have limited flexibilty with wrist and my fingers can't reach/spread to some chords. Is there a way to counter act my problem. Exercises won't help I have tried them all. I have to put it down to my age and wear and tear of gewtting old. But how can I overcome my issues with my lack of flexibilty. Is there other means of fingering chords. I would like to continue learning to play, any advice would be most welcome. Pat J.
Great video Eric. I'm an older beginning intermediate. I picked up the guitar a few years ago. Here's my advice. 1. Your brain is older and you aren't going to pick it up as quick as you would like. It's going to take a while, but you will get better. Don't give up. 2. You are going to hit walls and plateau. You are going to feel like you are not getting better. It's even ok to take a break. When you feel like picking it back up in a day/week or two, you will be surprised at how much your brain has processed. Don't give up. 3. Once you learn open chords, you will find out that technique is important. Just like mechanics have tricks to break that rusty bolt loose, so do guitarists. They are not that hard once you learn what to do. I had the hardest time with barre chords until I found a video showing me how to specifically hold my hand to make them easier to play. 4. GREAT GUITAR CHOICE ERIC!!!! You can't beat a Yamaha for a beginner guitar. It's the best bang for your buck. I wanted to upgrade mine but have changed my mind after comparing it to more expensive guitars. It's not a Taylor, but my FG700S has put several other major brands in their place as far as sound. The newer Yamahas are built even better. With that being said, when you buy a guitar, don't just take it home. Get it set up at the store! it will make playing 10 times easier! I played mine for a year and a half before I got it set up. No wonder I wasn't progressing very well. 5. Use multiple sources for what you want to learn. Some guitar teachers teach certain skills better than others. Eric is good, but even he says this. People have different learning styles. Different perspectives help. They also might have a video of that song you always wanted to play! 6. Learn the songs you want. I've never been a fan of Bob Marley and Three Little Birds. I don't want to learn Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. There are lessons and tabs for the songs you want to play. That is my motivation. I want to learn SongX. What do I need to do to learn it? If it's beyond my skill level, I put it in the back of the line until I have learned the skills I need to play it later and move on to a song that I can play. Just remember, you have to crawl before you walk, and walk before you run. keep it enjoyable! That's my advice.
Love the video. I'm a disabled vet on a fixed income just starting guitar. I can't afford videos or lessons so watching you helps. I would love to be an inspiration to those who think they have no reason to go on by showing them they can learn if they try. thanks for giving hope to those that feel hopeless.
Broother Its a fucking shame that you being an Army Vet with disability cant afford such a simple hobbies But Trumps family spends in a day what you'r never going to see in your Bank account savings. If you already fought agains the any once I'm sure that could doit again Fight and get what you deserve. USA Tyranny !
Thank you for your service my friend. Please email support@yourguitarsage.com and let them know that you are a veteran and would like to be in the Unstoppable Guitar System. And if you send them proof of you being a veteran, I will get you set up.
Hi Harry. I hope you were able to take the video lessons and are still playing. Regardless, thank you for your service and know that you are an inspiration.
Well said Erich. I recently decided after years of learning this and that, I need to focus on songs I really want to play! Timing is everything too I'm realizing. You can sound like a pro just playing a simple song if it's in perfect time.
Thank you. I'm an old(er) guy learning this thing and this helps. Having a set plan is all I had, but your words are a help. All i wanted to do was be able to sit down a t the camp fire and be able to play something. You and a few others here on you tube have helped a a lot, as you said one on one lessons are VERY expensive and working 60-70 hours a week I don't have time to set aside for a one on one. Your channel is the go between so I can grab the guitar after work and strum along with your lessons at my pace. Just want to add that the actual instrument your are playing makes such a difference. I was using an old beat up guitar that was terrible once I bit the bullet and bought a new Fender Acoustic, it was an eye opener how hard it was on a lousy guitar. Thank again!
I'm starting my second attempt at learning guitar today, at age 67. I think the primary reason I gave up before was that, unless the song didn't have an F chord in it, I felt I'd never be able to play it. (Something about barring three or more strings AND getting my other fingers to do something else was where I hit the wall). I like your tips for older newbies very much! I guess I'd have the following questions, though: Should I stick with practicing a chord, for example, until I can nail it perfectly each and every time, or should I accept occasional errors before moving forward? At what speed should I be practicing chord changes? (I can do them perfectly each time if you give me an empty bar to move my fingers).😄
For sure, accept occasional errors. Perfection is the enemy of progress. Slow and steady wins the race. The speed that you should go at is YOUR speed. It’s impossible to not get better if you are practicing. Start here, my friend: www.yourguitarsage.com/30
Yes I enjoyed this lessons for older newbies such as me, lol. Really enjoyed how you said #2 practice makes perfect, how most people say but you said makes permanent which makes it sick in more!!! Keep 'em coming, enjoy these ads well as all your lessons on the UGS lessons. Growth is beginning to show and these lessons of encouragement helps us from platoueing and teaches us how to continue to set small but reachable goals so we're actually seeing our growth!!! Thanks Erich, I highly recommend the UGS coarses for anyone with the desire to learn this beautiful s sounding instrument, guitar-on Erich 🎸🎧🎤🎼💯
Eric,... definitely an "old guy newbie" here, & really enjoyed the suggestions. You're "spot on" about introducing new material. I've been practicing / studying scales now (via your course(s) & a local instructor) for the last 6 weeks (along with a ton of other material),... refreshing my memory from a 20 year hiatus from playing, & it's getting a little frustrating. I feel like I've hit the "wall" that you speak of often. I've put together a list of my favorite tunes, that I want to re-learn, or learn for the first time, using the techniques & material you've so graciously shared for thousands. Thank you for the assist,... keep on, keeping on. BJ
This video message hit the nail right on the head. I’ve been sitting stagnant continuing to learn chords and scales. It just makes perfect sense to really just go learn songs and get those fingers moving. Thank you
Thanks for sharing this info Eric im 54 been learning for just over 6 months and your spot on with all three suggestions i have carpel tunnel in both hands as well as arthritis so cant do one thing all the time but you have given me some inspiration with this short vid and i thank you
Thank you for the video! I started playing when I was 16 and after a few years I was getting really good. Then life got in the way. Young family, sold the guitar to survive and never looked back. Until now. Now I'm almost 54 and find myself with plenty of free time in the evenings now that the kids are grown and it's just the wife and I. I'm not going to give up, but I'm feeling like it's so much harder now than when I was 16. I'm trying to remember, did it hurt this much when I first started out back then? Maybe? After more than 35 years I barely remember anything I once knew. I watch videos of songs or riffs and I'm like, ugh, I used to be able to play that or I used to be able do that and it's frustrating to not be able to do what I once found easy to do. Starting over again is a bitch, has anyone else been in the same situation? How did you work through it and how did you keep you keep yourself motivated and not get discouraged?
In my case I picked up guitar to add a new layer to the synthesizer music I make (think Tangerine Dream etc.). I originally thought I just need to be able to play a few notes to get something usable for my music. That mind set was a great help to me as I could get results almost immediately and not feel frustrated. From there I have progressed to being able to improvise over backing tracks and to add more depth to my own compositions. I should add, I didn't start playing guitar until my late 50's. So my additional tip is to have a very achievable goal in mind when you first start so that you see results almost immediately and then add new goals to keep you focused. I should also add I have no hand/eye coordination and can't play more than one chord at a time, but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying the guitar. I just set realistic goals.
Hey Eric,m a very old uhu uhu newbie jk..it was an awesome video..i don't know if you should know this but just as i became comfortable with bar chords and such and wanted to play outdoors i began carrying my acoustic to vacations..as crazy as it may sound..people look at me with amazement just as i carry my guitar..recently i carried my acoustic to Maldives and to an adventure trip..i played for a boat full of tourists while in the scorching heat of the deck..it was the best thing that happened to me since i got married and quit my job for my kid... i must say an achievement and the appreciation is all i ever wanted..
Hi Eric thanks for the tips..I'm 56 started learning two years ago and YES it's been very difficult but practice makes perfect. I find that I just can't concentrate on the theory part so I skip it..My challenge now is Bar chords
Thanks for he tips. I learnt a few chords as a teenager and never progressed. Now pushing 70 I have a lot to learn and too many songs that I want to play. Take care and stay safe.
I had never played guitar until the age of 50. I started the first four months just learning a few chords, but no real plan. You have some great tips, I would suggest one more. Get an instructor if you can afford it, or someone who is willing to do it for free. They have learned finger placement, rhythm, and usually know or can learn just about any song a beginner can do. Focus on the area of music you like, and start songs that are easy in that area. Focus on doing them well, and practice, practice, practice. Keep that guitar near you wherever you spend time in your house. Oh yea, biggest thing, have fun with it, you are going to get frustrated, if you are trying to get better it is part of playing guitar. Most of all, have fun with it. I am now 54, and try to play every day, Ill never be a pro, but Ill have just as much fun as they do. Don't quit, and best of luck to you!!!!
Great tips! I’m 16 and have been learning for about a month with your free 30 lessons and love it. But I find chord transitions really hard... guess what I’m gonna practice tomorrow?
I don't want to sound mean, but I'm 53, and for the past 6 years I kept saying I'm going to practice that tomorrow. Over the 6 or 7 years I've been trying to learn, the most important thing I have learned, if I have time to watch a video on guitar, I need to have my guitar in hand while I watch so I can practice what I'm watching now, not tomorrow. It helps me. If you read this Eric, Thank's for all the free help you have given me. I'm "Charlie" Take care and have a great safe day.
Not a newbie by any means but, very beneficial advise. I'm no where near where I should be because I lacked a proper teacher years ago. Trust me guys Eric is a great teacher, very easy to follow and understand.
You are so right, I have $2,000 in guitars. I got a $ 1000.00 Fender American Strat, already had nice amp, I really started guitar at 69 sure I learned two chords or maybe three, but remembered them from age 21+/-, don’t give up.
“Have some sort of a plan”. Thanks to your generosity to us Veterans, here shortly I will have a step by step plan. I drastically need one cause I bounce around from one thing to another constantly, never mastering anything. Look forward to classes.
So far so good Erich. I’m stoked to be in the classes now. I’m laid up at present as I had a major surgery less than couple weeks ago, so I’m watching videos and probably won’t be on my guitars for a few weeks yet. But I have lots to read and keep me busy and loving what I’m seeing so far. Once again, thanks.
This is my 2nd attempt at learning how to play guitar. I must say as an adult I've realized learning simple songs has been much more beneficial and enjoyable than trying to figure out songs by vurtoso players who were light years ahead of me on the learning path. Keep your goals realistic!
Indeed! And you can always work up to those songs. Kindergarten aged children suck at 8th grade, but they are great in kindergarten :) We have to know where we are at and our capabilities at the moment, BUT sky is the limit if we progress. Thanks for adding this Aaron!
I taught myself guitar 4 years ago but without a pick and now I have the hardest time using a pick so I can definitely confirm the importance of practicing the RIGHT thing
I just turned 61 and retired. I used to ski, dance, hike, bike, ride a motorcycle and camp all the time. Due to a multitude of injuries I can no longer do those hobbies I loved. I have always loved guitar and wanted to learn, but was too busy. I thought I was too old, but honestly I need a hobby. I have the time, I Just thought I might be too old. I am not looking to join a band or anything so ambitious, but I would like to have some music in the house.
You definitely should do it, my friend. It is so fulfilling and infinite. And you can bless others with it. Here’s my gift to you: www.yourguitarsage.com/30 Please let me know how I can help.
Great tips! After firing the teacher who wasn’t right for me, and getting a new teacher.it is finally clicking. Love your video’s and the Unstoppable guitar!
Great advise as always. I'm 55 and i want to play as a goal in a year How Far We Come by Matchbox 20 and Come Up And See Me (Make Me Smile) by Steve Harley. The Come up and see me live performance on youtube at Rockwiz is the bomb. He sings it better 30 or so years later, great backing singers, great music and he sings it so well at an older age, fantastic, cheers.
I’m going to be 60 soon. Want to learn how to play guitar. Should I get and acoustic or electric? I have arthritis in my hands. Heard playing guitar may help.
Just finding your channel. Very impressed!! I've had a Johnson Acoustic Dreadnought w/ electric pickups and all that for years. I am serious about learning how to play it now and it has always been a challenge because I don't like the finger pain. Call me a pansy! If I'm very strict and practice for at least 15 minutes a day, how long is average for a person to develop the callouses needed to ease the finger pain, and probably more importantly, the ping that comes every time that you lift your finder off the string cuz your finger is sticking to the string?
I'm learning more and more, or trying to learn more and more about doing the setup on a guitar. And I'm not sure that this is the proper place to put it but I have a quick question: how can I find out whether the neck is straight. I have a straight edge ruler and I put it down and I look for gaps but now it actually rock on one of the frets. Got to put this question in different places but it's difficult for me to see the relief on Annette and I would like a a better or just tell me how to use the straightedge to find out is your direction of the neck. Thanks as always.
Erich, I'm a 64 year old who wants to learn guitar heading into my retirement. Am I too late? I bought an entry-level classical guitar with nylon strings hoping it'll be easier on my fingers. Did I make a good choice?
Great info Eric, I am 54 years old and just starting to try to play acoustic guitar. I picked up a Yamaha FG 800 C and a Marshal amp. So far it’s going slow, so I will try your 30 lessons to get started. What Yamaha is that you’re playing in the video?
Always slow in the beginning my friend. Slow and steady wins the race. I’ll have to check on the model. Going to give it away however. It’s really nice!
Well this would be me, although I've been at it for a few years now. One thing I did that was a bit different than most, is I started on an electric. This was because I did not want to fight the string tension. And I learned power and barre chords before open. I could play Green Day before I could play Greensleeves.. But I am completely comfortable on acoustic now and have been only playing it lately , as my Mesa amp needs repair. I also think starting electric and being able to rock out a bit kept it more fun. And there's no point in doing this if not fun. I've also noticed the learning curve is not linear. It goes in in steps. There will be something you can't do one day, and then the next it will seem easy. However I don't think I have any 'natural talent'. This has been a struggle. I've been temped to give up and sell all the gear many times. But I really want to get at least half way decent. All my friends are musicians ( I was a part time FoH sound engineer for 10 years or so) and I'd love to sit in on a gig someday. As said in other replies....thanks for what you do......and bring back the cat! My cat thinks I am an awesome guitar player. ;-)
I'm 59 and want to learn guitar so I can be in a rock n roll band. Play at bars first ,and maybe in a year, play at much bigger venues. I have yet touched a guitar . I am buying my very first one on my birthday January 9th. I have my sights set on a $2500. Breedlove acoustic at The Guitar Center in Langhorne, PA. As soon as I get that baby home ,I'm gonna start playing. It can't be that difficult. I can NOT wait ! Who knows ? In 2 years I maybe cutting my first CD. Actually its album because of my age. Lol. Anyone reading, don't wish me luck. I don't need luck. I already have Natural born talents. Gutair playing will be one of them real soon ! Hey, thanks to anyone who read this. Keep your ears tuned in about a year from now . I will be welknown. 😎 ☝ 👍 🎸
@@yourguitarsage Lol I was absolutely just kidding. I have an electric guitar to acoustics an acoustic base and and I rolling keyboard and I don't know how to play any of them nor do I have the time I was just kidding around.
I am an older newbie, signed up for your Udemy course.I have a lot of trouble getting my fingers to move where I want them to go on the fretboard. Are there any exercises that you can recommend? Stretching?
I spent years practicing the wrong way trying to be "self taught". I've had ten times better results in this last six months with an instructor than all those years combined. Seriously everyone, there are lots great players that will give lessons for $25-$50 an hour to supplement their incomes. Just doing a couple of lessons a month to get your technique squared away while you practice on your own will save lots of time and frustration. Also, use the dang metronome! If you don't know how to play something in time then you don't know how to play it.
YourGuitarSage Hey Erik Some musician buddies are starting a band (mostly hip hop hopefully some blues/rock/metal will be involved.) They want me to as the guitarist I watch your videos and take lessons. But I'm a little unsure how traverse the genre ( even thought I love it and grew up with it.) I'm learning lead and rhythm guitar as both are impprtamt but have figured out how to jell to two. Not sure what to do or where to start.
What's the worst that can happen? Even if you "fail", you will be at the same place you are now, except you will have tried. The best that could happen is that you will be a great fit. Go for it!
As you learn, make sure to keep paying close attention to hand position and using the minimum force necessary to get a clean sound. It will get easier over time, but this will help avoid unnecessary strain.
Been playing for awhile now and my issue is every time I learn a new song I forget how to play it. Right now I can play maybe 5 songs and it annoys me how I keep forgetting songs I play. I also use rocksmith and play it almost regularly. But even then when playing those songs on there I keep forgetting how to play them. Do you have any tips to remember songs better so I’m better prepared when I bring my guitar to a get together or something, or should I just play them over and over until they stick?
I feel for you. I've had a problem remembering songs all my life. I think the only way is to play every day and keep playing songs you learn. If I don't play a song that I've learned in a month it's gone. They will come back quicker than learning a song from scratch but it's frustrating. I know some people can just remember songs a lot easier than I can.
Dave Watson Dave Watson Dave Watson well thing is some songs I’ve play and still remember to this day are songs I played several years ago. For some reason they stick. But yea maybe I just need to keep replaying and replaying until I remember them. Thankfully i still can play some songs by just listening to the start of them though not perfect they sound about the same. The rest I just improv. Yea I envy those people with sticky brains..
It really is a matter of repetition. If you don’t know it well, you just have not played it enough times. That is, if is a song that you like to play. Having passion for a particular song will help you remember it better as well.
It's not hard to figure why men have a different learning curve for the guitar than women. It all comes down to girls learning to cook before the boys. Do you think that's being sexist? Read through a bunch of recipes and here is what you will find: 1) Sometimes you melt the butter and mix it in with the other liquids in the recipe then mix in the flower or other solids. 2) Sometimes you mix the butter in with the flour until it reaches a certain texture. 3) Sometimes you mix half the butter in with the flour, a quarter in with the liquids and the rest is saved for later in the cooking process. All of this boils down to technique and results. You have to follow the techniques that are presented in the recipe, in the same steps as presented in the recipe, or the dish you are attempting to make will not have the quality and texture that the recipe is guiding you to have when it is finished. Contrast that with boys who are not taught the same detail of technique whether they are learning wood working, metal working or auto mechanics. The first thing they learn is to just plunge right in and start doing. Just plunging in is not a problem for these skill areas because there is not a mixture of techniques to accomplish the same thing. Every step of a project is accomplished in one way or another. There is but one way to turn a wrench properly. One way to use a hand plane properly. One way to drill metal. And it won't always matter if you drill that hole first or last. Unlike cooking; there are not various mixtures of techniques that if not followed correctly, will result in a bad outcome. There is but one technique used at a single time. In skills such as woodworking, you fail forward meaning, it's never going to be perfect and it doesn't have to be. Contrast that with cooking. If you don't follow the techniques just right, you may end up with a very bad tasting, inedible meal that must be thrown out. The difference comes down to the first skills boys and girls typically learn.
Scott, you raise some relevant points here.Cooking is how I learnt the entire fretboard notes.Let me give you an example here.Fret 7 notes across are Bake Everything And Defend Family Budget.....I could go on
Thanks for watching this video! Hope you enjoyed these 3 tips! More videos coming soon my friends. Let me hear your feedback about these 3 tips below. e :)
YourGuitarSage Hey Erik
Some musician buddies are starting a band (mostly hip hop hopefully some blues/rock/metal will be involved.) They want me to as the guitarist I watch your videos and take lessons. But I'm a little unsure how traverse the genre ( even thought I love it and grew up with it.) I'm learning lead and rhythm guitar as both are impprtamt but have figured out how to jell to two. Not sure what to do or where to start.
Erik,
What Yamaha are you playing??
I am seventy year old male and am trying to learn to play the guitar for approx. a year now. My problem is that I have limited flexibilty with wrist and my fingers can't reach/spread to some chords. Is there a way to counter act my problem.
Exercises won't help I have tried them all. I have to put it down to my age and wear and tear of gewtting old. But how can I overcome my issues with my lack of flexibilty. Is there other means of fingering chords. I would like to continue learning to play, any advice would be most welcome.
Pat J.
Great video Eric. I'm an older beginning intermediate. I picked up the guitar a few years ago. Here's my advice. 1. Your brain is older and you aren't going to pick it up as quick as you would like. It's going to take a while, but you will get better. Don't give up. 2. You are going to hit walls and plateau. You are going to feel like you are not getting better. It's even ok to take a break. When you feel like picking it back up in a day/week or two, you will be surprised at how much your brain has processed. Don't give up. 3. Once you learn open chords, you will find out that technique is important. Just like mechanics have tricks to break that rusty bolt loose, so do guitarists. They are not that hard once you learn what to do. I had the hardest time with barre chords until I found a video showing me how to specifically hold my hand to make them easier to play. 4. GREAT GUITAR CHOICE ERIC!!!! You can't beat a Yamaha for a beginner guitar. It's the best bang for your buck. I wanted to upgrade mine but have changed my mind after comparing it to more expensive guitars. It's not a Taylor, but my FG700S has put several other major brands in their place as far as sound. The newer Yamahas are built even better. With that being said, when you buy a guitar, don't just take it home. Get it set up at the store! it will make playing 10 times easier! I played mine for a year and a half before I got it set up. No wonder I wasn't progressing very well. 5. Use multiple sources for what you want to learn. Some guitar teachers teach certain skills better than others. Eric is good, but even he says this. People have different learning styles. Different perspectives help. They also might have a video of that song you always wanted to play! 6. Learn the songs you want. I've never been a fan of Bob Marley and Three Little Birds. I don't want to learn Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. There are lessons and tabs for the songs you want to play. That is my motivation. I want to learn SongX. What do I need to do to learn it? If it's beyond my skill level, I put it in the back of the line until I have learned the skills I need to play it later and move on to a song that I can play. Just remember, you have to crawl before you walk, and walk before you run. keep it enjoyable! That's my advice.
Fantastic advice my friend!
Love the video. I'm a disabled vet on a fixed income just starting guitar. I can't afford videos or lessons so watching you helps. I would love to be an inspiration to those who think they have no reason to go on by showing them they can learn if they try. thanks for giving hope to those that feel hopeless.
Broother Its a fucking shame that you being an Army Vet with disability
cant afford such a simple hobbies
But Trumps family spends in a day
what you'r never going to see in your
Bank account savings.
If you already fought agains the any once I'm sure that could doit again
Fight and get what you deserve.
USA Tyranny !
Thank you for your service my friend. Please email support@yourguitarsage.com and let them know that you are a veteran and would like to be in the Unstoppable Guitar System. And if you send them proof of you being a veteran, I will get you set up.
Hi Harry. I hope you were able to take the video lessons and are still playing. Regardless, thank you for your service and know that you are an inspiration.
Hey brother same hrrd
Justin guitar is amazing, beginner coarse is free on you tube and his web sight. I pay for lessons at two channels his free ones are better
Well said Erich. I recently decided after years of learning this and that, I need to focus on songs I really want to play! Timing is everything too I'm realizing. You can sound like a pro just playing a simple song if it's in perfect time.
You are indeed correct my friend. Thank you.
Thank you. I'm an old(er) guy learning this thing and this helps. Having a set plan is all I had, but your words are a help. All i wanted to do was be able to sit down a t the camp fire and be able to play something. You and a few others here on you tube have helped a a lot, as you said one on one lessons are VERY expensive and working 60-70 hours a week I don't have time to set aside for a one on one. Your channel is the go between so I can grab the guitar after work and strum along with your lessons at my pace. Just want to add that the actual instrument your are playing makes such a difference. I was using an old beat up guitar that was terrible once I bit the bullet and bought a new Fender Acoustic, it was an eye opener how hard it was on a lousy guitar. Thank again!
Nice! You are so welcome. Thank you my friend.
I'm starting my second attempt at learning guitar today, at age 67. I think the primary reason I gave up before was that, unless the song didn't have an F chord in it, I felt I'd never be able to play it. (Something about barring three or more strings AND getting my other fingers to do something else was where I hit the wall).
I like your tips for older newbies very much!
I guess I'd have the following questions, though:
Should I stick with practicing a chord, for example, until I can nail it perfectly each and every time, or should I accept occasional errors before moving forward? At what speed should I be practicing chord changes? (I can do them perfectly each time if you give me an empty bar to move my fingers).😄
For sure, accept occasional errors. Perfection is the enemy of progress. Slow and steady wins the race. The speed that you should go at is YOUR speed. It’s impossible to not get better if you are practicing. Start here, my friend: www.yourguitarsage.com/30
Great advice. Took me five months to figure out a plan. Your videos are my plan. Finally got a good plan!
Love it! Thank you Melissa.
Yes I enjoyed this lessons for older newbies such as me, lol. Really enjoyed how you said #2 practice makes perfect, how most people say but you said makes permanent which makes it sick in more!!! Keep 'em coming, enjoy these ads well as all your lessons on the UGS lessons. Growth is beginning to show and these lessons of encouragement helps us from platoueing and teaches us how to continue to set small but reachable goals so we're actually seeing our growth!!! Thanks Erich, I highly recommend the UGS coarses for anyone with the desire to learn this beautiful s sounding instrument, guitar-on Erich 🎸🎧🎤🎼💯
Eric,... definitely an "old guy newbie" here, & really enjoyed the suggestions. You're "spot on" about introducing new material. I've been practicing / studying scales now (via your course(s) & a local instructor) for the last 6 weeks (along with a ton of other material),... refreshing my memory from a 20 year hiatus from playing, & it's getting a little frustrating. I feel like I've hit the "wall" that you speak of often. I've put together a list of my favorite tunes, that I want to re-learn, or learn for the first time, using the techniques & material you've so graciously shared for thousands. Thank you for the assist,... keep on, keeping on.
BJ
Thank you for spreading the love my friend. I truly appreciate the comment. Your persistence is inspiring.
This video message hit the nail right on the head. I’ve been sitting stagnant continuing to learn chords and scales.
It just makes perfect sense to really just go learn songs and get those fingers moving.
Thank you
Thank you so much my friend!
What a great video! I have been away from guitar for a long time and these 3 things really hit home. Thank you!
🙌
Thanks for sharing this info Eric im 54 been learning for just over 6 months and your spot on with all three suggestions i have carpel tunnel in both hands as well as arthritis so cant do one thing all the time but you have given me some inspiration with this short vid and i thank you
You are so welcome! Thank you for letting me know it helped.
Thank you for the video! I started playing when I was 16 and after a few years I was getting really good. Then life got in the way. Young family, sold the guitar to survive and never looked back. Until now. Now I'm almost 54 and find myself with plenty of free time in the evenings now that the kids are grown and it's just the wife and I. I'm not going to give up, but I'm feeling like it's so much harder now than when I was 16. I'm trying to remember, did it hurt this much when I first started out back then? Maybe? After more than 35 years I barely remember anything I once knew. I watch videos of songs or riffs and I'm like, ugh, I used to be able to play that or I used to be able do that and it's frustrating to not be able to do what I once found easy to do. Starting over again is a bitch, has anyone else been in the same situation? How did you work through it and how did you keep you keep yourself motivated and not get discouraged?
In my case I picked up guitar to add a new layer to the synthesizer music I make (think Tangerine Dream etc.). I originally thought I just need to be able to play a few notes to get something usable for my music. That mind set was a great help to me as I could get results almost immediately and not feel frustrated. From there I have progressed to being able to improvise over backing tracks and to add more depth to my own compositions. I should add, I didn't start playing guitar until my late 50's. So my additional tip is to have a very achievable goal in mind when you first start so that you see results almost immediately and then add new goals to keep you focused. I should also add I have no hand/eye coordination and can't play more than one chord at a time, but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying the guitar. I just set realistic goals.
Hey Eric,m a very old uhu uhu newbie jk..it was an awesome video..i don't know if you should know this but just as i became comfortable with bar chords and such and wanted to play outdoors i began carrying my acoustic to vacations..as crazy as it may sound..people look at me with amazement just as i carry my guitar..recently i carried my acoustic to Maldives and to an adventure trip..i played for a boat full of tourists while in the scorching heat of the deck..it was the best thing that happened to me since i got married and quit my job for my kid... i must say an achievement and the appreciation is all i ever wanted..
🤘Very nice my friend
Hi Eric thanks for the tips..I'm 56 started learning two years ago and YES it's been very difficult but practice makes perfect. I find that I just can't concentrate on the theory part so I skip it..My challenge now is Bar chords
Thanks for he tips. I learnt a few chords as a teenager and never progressed. Now pushing 70 I have a lot to learn and too many songs that I want to play.
Take care and stay safe.
Thank you, John. My gift to you: www.yourguitarsage.com/30
I had never played guitar until the age of 50. I started the first four months just learning a few chords, but no real plan. You have some great tips, I would suggest one more. Get an instructor if you can afford it, or someone who is willing to do it for free. They have learned finger placement, rhythm, and usually know or can learn just about any song a beginner can do. Focus on the area of music you like, and start songs that are easy in that area. Focus on doing them well, and practice, practice, practice. Keep that guitar near you wherever you spend time in your house. Oh yea, biggest thing, have fun with it, you are going to get frustrated, if you are trying to get better it is part of playing guitar. Most of all, have fun with it. I am now 54, and try to play every day, Ill never be a pro, but Ill have just as much fun as they do. Don't quit, and best of luck to you!!!!
Great tips! I’m 16 and have been learning for about a month with your free 30 lessons and love it. But I find chord transitions really hard... guess what I’m gonna practice tomorrow?
Nice! Thank you so much Thomas.
I don't want to sound mean, but I'm 53, and for the past 6 years I kept saying I'm going to practice that tomorrow. Over the 6 or 7 years I've been trying to learn, the most important thing I have learned, if I have time to watch a video on guitar, I need to have my guitar in hand while I watch so I can practice what I'm watching now, not tomorrow. It helps me. If you read this Eric, Thank's for all the free help you have given me. I'm "Charlie" Take care and have a great safe day.
It's like you were talking directly to me. Great video and advice.
You so much my friend!
I've recently picked up a used Washburn D10SCE and this make a lot of sense now. On my old '69 Newporter it didn't feel...
Thanks Erich!
Thank you so much Karl. You are welcome.
Thank-you, enjoyed this video. It's getting the old left hand to work is my problem, stretching the fingers.
Not a newbie by any means but, very beneficial advise. I'm no where near where I should be because I lacked a proper teacher years ago. Trust me guys Eric is a great teacher, very easy to follow and understand.
So kind! Thank you coyote!
You are so right, I have $2,000 in guitars. I got a $ 1000.00 Fender American Strat, already had nice amp, I really started guitar at 69 sure I learned two chords or maybe three, but remembered them from age 21+/-, don’t give up.
Great advice. I’m 50 and starting the 1 on 1 route because it suits me best. Thanks! I’ll keep watching...
“Have some sort of a plan”. Thanks to your generosity to us Veterans, here shortly I will have a step by step plan. I drastically need one cause I bounce around from one thing to another constantly, never mastering anything.
Look forward to classes.
Thank YOU my friend 🙏 . You will have a plan. let me know what you think once you get inside the program!
So far so good Erich. I’m stoked to be in the classes now. I’m laid up at present as I had a major surgery less than couple weeks ago, so I’m watching videos and probably won’t be on my guitars for a few weeks yet. But I have lots to read and keep me busy and loving what I’m seeing so far. Once again, thanks.
This is my 2nd attempt at learning how to play guitar. I must say as an adult I've realized learning simple songs has been much more beneficial and enjoyable than trying to figure out songs by vurtoso players who were light years ahead of me on the learning path. Keep your goals realistic!
Indeed! And you can always work up to those songs. Kindergarten aged children suck at 8th grade, but they are great in kindergarten :) We have to know where we are at and our capabilities at the moment, BUT sky is the limit if we progress. Thanks for adding this Aaron!
@@yourguitarsage , great point! Plus kindergarteners have so much dang fun!
Great tips, I am 43 and just started playing guitar, can use all the help I can get.
Nice! Thank you my friend. Please take advantage of my free course at www.yourguitarsage.com/30
I taught myself guitar 4 years ago but without a pick and now I have the hardest time using a pick so I can definitely confirm the importance of practicing the RIGHT thing
Leigh La Nothing wrong with fingerpicking. Look up For My Father by Andy McKee, beautiful fingerstyle song.
Indeed! You will get it done my friend. Whatever you practice to get good at.
Good advice for us old guys newbie or not! (as well as young newbies) Awesome!
Thank you Harold.
I just turned 61 and retired. I used to ski, dance, hike, bike, ride a motorcycle and camp all the time. Due to a multitude of injuries I can no longer do those hobbies I loved. I have always loved guitar and wanted to learn, but was too busy. I thought I was too old, but honestly I need a hobby. I have the time, I Just thought I might be too old. I am not looking to join a band or anything so ambitious, but I would like to have some music in the house.
You definitely should do it, my friend. It is so fulfilling and infinite. And you can bless others with it. Here’s my gift to you: www.yourguitarsage.com/30
Please let me know how I can help.
Eric is back in black!!! Thanks Eric, this old guy appreciates your tips.
You are so welcome Ray! Thank you so much for the kind words.
Great tips! After firing the teacher who wasn’t right for me, and getting a new teacher.it is finally clicking. Love your video’s and the Unstoppable guitar!
As always, thank you so much Cara.🙌
Could you please learn the banjo and then teach it? You rock as a teacher for us older folks.
Thanks Erich. Well said. I definitely need to focus on my finger picking so that it is second nature while singing my songs.
You are so welcome Joseph. Thank you!
Great advise as always. I'm 55 and i want to play as a goal in a year How Far We Come by Matchbox 20 and Come Up And See Me (Make Me Smile) by Steve Harley. The Come up and see me live performance on youtube at Rockwiz is the bomb. He sings it better 30 or so years later, great backing singers, great music and he sings it so well at an older age, fantastic, cheers.
Thanks my friend.
I’m going to be 60 soon. Want to learn how to play guitar. Should I get and acoustic or electric? I have arthritis in my hands. Heard playing guitar may help.
Just finding your channel. Very impressed!! I've had a Johnson Acoustic Dreadnought w/ electric pickups and all that for years. I am serious about learning how to play it now and it has always been a challenge because I don't like the finger pain. Call me a pansy! If I'm very strict and practice for at least 15 minutes a day, how long is average for a person to develop the callouses needed to ease the finger pain, and probably more importantly, the ping that comes every time that you lift your finder off the string cuz your finger is sticking to the string?
Thank you so much my friend. This and 99% of your beginner questions can be answered here for free www.yourguitarsage.com/30
Great words of encouragement. I'm at "That Stage" right now. Trying to get more Musical.
Great video man, thanks for the help I'll sure to keep going at it, it's day 2 ATM 😃
Very thoughtful and good tips
Thank you for the kind words Ryan!
I'm learning more and more, or trying to learn more and more about doing the setup on a guitar. And I'm not sure that this is the proper place to put it but I have a quick question: how can I find out whether the neck is straight. I have a straight edge ruler and I put it down and I look for gaps but now it actually rock on one of the frets. Got to put this question in different places but it's difficult for me to see the relief on Annette and I would like a a better or just tell me how to use the straightedge to find out is your direction of the neck. Thanks as always.
Great stuff. Many thanks.
My pleasure!🙏
Erich, I'm a 64 year old who wants to learn guitar heading into my retirement. Am I too late? I bought an entry-level classical guitar with nylon strings hoping it'll be easier on my fingers. Did I make a good choice?
thanks mate
thank you for u'r divine explanation, it's very fruitful I will make good use of it. I Pepe, South Africa.
Liked subbed and linked. Thanks.
Thank you for that advise exactly what I needed to hear.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching
Great info Eric, I am 54 years old and just starting to try to play acoustic guitar. I picked up a Yamaha FG 800 C and a Marshal amp. So far it’s going slow, so I will try your 30 lessons to get started. What Yamaha is that you’re playing in the video?
Always slow in the beginning my friend. Slow and steady wins the race. I’ll have to check on the model. Going to give it away however. It’s really nice!
I'm 21 and I don't know if this video applies to me or not
Great vid, Erich.
Yamaha LL16......love mine...great sounding guitar
Indeed :-)
Well this would be me, although I've been at it for a few years now. One thing I did that was a bit different than most, is I started on an electric. This was because I did not want to fight the string tension. And I learned power and barre chords before open. I could play Green Day before I could play Greensleeves.. But I am completely comfortable on acoustic now and have been only playing it lately , as my Mesa amp needs repair. I also think starting electric and being able to rock out a bit kept it more fun. And there's no point in doing this if not fun.
I've also noticed the learning curve is not linear. It goes in in steps. There will be something you can't do one day, and then the next it will seem easy.
However I don't think I have any 'natural talent'. This has been a struggle. I've been temped to give up and sell all the gear many times. But I really want to get at least half way decent. All my friends are musicians ( I was a part time FoH sound engineer for 10 years or so) and I'd love to sit in on a gig someday.
As said in other replies....thanks for what you do......and bring back the cat! My cat thinks I am an awesome guitar player. ;-)
Thanks for watching!
Awesome. Thanks. Love that strum. 😎😎🤗
😃
I'm 59 and want to learn guitar so I can be in a rock n roll band. Play at bars first ,and maybe in a year, play at much bigger venues. I have yet touched a guitar . I am buying my very first one on my birthday January 9th. I have my sights set on a $2500. Breedlove acoustic at The Guitar Center in Langhorne, PA.
As soon as I get that baby home ,I'm gonna start playing. It can't be that
difficult. I can NOT wait ! Who knows ?
In 2 years I maybe cutting my first
CD. Actually its album because of my age. Lol. Anyone reading, don't wish me luck. I don't need luck. I already have Natural born talents. Gutair playing will be one of them real soon !
Hey, thanks to anyone who read this.
Keep your ears tuned in about a year from now . I will be welknown.
😎 ☝ 👍 🎸
There you go! Start here, my friend. I have you covered: www.yourguitarsage.com/30
@@yourguitarsage Lol I was absolutely just kidding. I have an electric guitar to acoustics an acoustic base and and I rolling keyboard and I don't know how to play any of them nor do I have the time I was just kidding around.
Thanks Erich great advice.
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I am an older newbie, signed up for your Udemy course.I have a lot of trouble getting my fingers to move where I want them to go on the fretboard. Are there any exercises that you can recommend? Stretching?
Indeed my friend! Exercise number three in that course is exactly what you should be looking for.
Your hand will stretch out by time and songs with these stretchy chords, I can stretch up to 5 frets with my index and pinky fingers
I DID THE SAME THING, & RAN INTO THE SAME PROBLEM BUT AM MUCH OLDER .
Another great video
Good talk... Advice well taken!
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Been hittin the gym I see
Thank you my friend! A little bit and have been eating a lot better.
I spent years practicing the wrong way trying to be "self taught". I've had ten times better results in this last six months with an instructor than all those years combined.
Seriously everyone, there are lots great players that will give lessons for $25-$50 an hour to supplement their incomes. Just doing a couple of lessons a month to get your technique squared away while you practice on your own will save lots of time and frustration.
Also, use the dang metronome! If you don't know how to play something in time then you don't know how to play it.
Great advice my friend. I have taught thousands of one on one lessons and if you have the money, it’s the way to go. And if you get a good teacher.
i can play all the chords, but cant remember songs?
Excellent!
Thank you! 🙌
Great information!
Thank you my friend.
Thanks
You're welcome! Thanks for watching
YourGuitarSage Hey Erik
Some musician buddies are starting a band (mostly hip hop hopefully some blues/rock/metal will be involved.) They want me to as the guitarist I watch your videos and take lessons. But I'm a little unsure how traverse the genre ( even thought I love it and grew up with it.) I'm learning lead and rhythm guitar as both are impprtamt but have figured out how to jell to two. Not sure what to do or where to start.
What's the worst that can happen? Even if you "fail", you will be at the same place you are now, except you will have tried. The best that could happen is that you will be a great fit. Go for it!
Awesome sir and 1 comment and viewer
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What if you can’t read music?
so true.
🙌
Is this the guy Uncle Joey was talking about?
Whoever Uncle Joey is, I hope he said good things about me.
I am learning the 9 chords now. But some of them hurts. Not my fingers. But my wrist. But small break and further.
That happens in the beginning my friend. Keep on keeping on.
As you learn, make sure to keep paying close attention to hand position and using the minimum force necessary to get a clean sound. It will get easier over time, but this will help avoid unnecessary strain.
Been playing for awhile now and my issue is every time I learn a new song I forget how to play it. Right now I can play maybe 5 songs and it annoys me how I keep forgetting songs I play.
I also use rocksmith and play it almost regularly. But even then when playing those songs on there I keep forgetting how to play them.
Do you have any tips to remember songs better so I’m better prepared when I bring my guitar to a get together or something, or should I just play them over and over until they stick?
Stop smocking 10 joints at day
stay with one or two ! :)
I feel for you. I've had a problem remembering songs all my life. I think the only way is to play every day and keep playing songs you learn. If I don't play a song that I've learned in a month it's gone. They will come back quicker than learning a song from scratch but it's frustrating. I know some people can just remember songs a lot easier than I can.
Legal Man lol good tip XD
Dave Watson Dave Watson Dave Watson well thing is some songs I’ve play and still remember to this day are songs I played several years ago.
For some reason they stick. But yea maybe I just need to keep replaying and replaying until I remember them.
Thankfully i still can play some songs by just listening to the start of them though not perfect they sound about the same. The rest I just improv.
Yea I envy those people with sticky brains..
It really is a matter of repetition. If you don’t know it well, you just have not played it enough times. That is, if is a song that you like to play. Having passion for a particular song will help you remember it better as well.
Oh damn I thought you left youtube a while back
I’m here my friend!
It's not hard to figure why men have a different learning curve for the guitar than women. It all comes down to girls learning to cook before the boys.
Do you think that's being sexist?
Read through a bunch of recipes and here is what you will find:
1) Sometimes you melt the butter and mix it in with the other liquids in the recipe then mix in the flower or other solids.
2) Sometimes you mix the butter in with the flour until it reaches a certain texture.
3) Sometimes you mix half the butter in with the flour, a quarter in with the liquids and the rest is saved for later in the cooking process.
All of this boils down to technique and results. You have to follow the techniques that are presented in the recipe, in the same steps as presented in the recipe, or the dish you are attempting to make will not have the quality and texture that the recipe is guiding you to have when it is finished.
Contrast that with boys who are not taught the same detail of technique whether they are learning wood working, metal working or auto mechanics. The first thing they learn is to just plunge right in and start doing.
Just plunging in is not a problem for these skill areas because there is not a mixture of techniques to accomplish the same thing. Every step of a project is accomplished in one way or another. There is but one way to turn a wrench properly. One way to use a hand plane properly. One way to drill metal. And it won't always matter if you drill that hole first or last.
Unlike cooking; there are not various mixtures of techniques that if not followed correctly, will result in a bad outcome. There is but one technique used at a single time.
In skills such as woodworking, you fail forward meaning, it's never going to be perfect and it doesn't have to be. Contrast that with cooking. If you don't follow the techniques just right, you may end up with a very bad tasting, inedible meal that must be thrown out.
The difference comes down to the first skills boys and girls typically learn.
Scott Tovey e
Scott Tovey *
Scott, you raise some relevant points here.Cooking is how I learnt the entire fretboard notes.Let me give you an example here.Fret 7 notes across are Bake Everything And Defend Family Budget.....I could go on
Interesting thoughts. Thank you so much for adding this Scott.
taggart8 Hey that's pretty cool. What else do you have for all the marked fret positions?
"Practice makes perfect" - WRONG. "PERFECT practice makes perfect".
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I write fifty songs a day, I'm a musical genius.
🙌
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🤘👊🏻👍
You didn't say don't trust the man in your sign off! Lol
Keeping you on your toes!
In all seriousness though--great advice! Thanks for doing what gou do man and keep rocken' on!
want some advice? dont call older people newbies. Newbie
Aww, someone has their girl-panties all bunched up. I have newbies who are in their 80s. Newbie is not about the age, it’s when you start.