Can you learn how to play guitar when you are older? Of course, you can! Life may change but there is always a chance to play music. Sometimes you just need to change your method, but mainly it is all about trying. As always if you want to accomplish anything you just need to work at it. It is possible to play guitar when you are 60 and this is how you approach it!
Pros and Cons to Learning the Guitar as a Senior
- The number one issue with playing guitar in your senior years is dealing with the extra level of pain. It is true that there are more problems with arthritis in the fingers, hand, and wrist but they are not insurmountable. Many older famous rockers are still going strong, yeah they slowed down a little, but they still play guitar.
- Music in our culture is a young person’s game and a lot of the music and especially guitar lessons are aimed at younger players. Which is fine we all had our glory days, but again there are no rules stopping you from playing guitar.
- One of the best aspects of aging is the ability to see tasks and goals through! There are many success stories of older guitar players because they finally realize playing music is a matter of regular practice. You can’t talk or fantasize about doing it, real practice and time spent is essential.
- When we get older we have a better idea of what we like and what we can do. Sometimes when you have a goal it can be hard to see the reality and slip into unrealistic situations. Learning guitar as a senior is not done to impress others, gain fame, or become a virtuoso. The point is to have a hobby and some fun, this lack of pressure can make guitar easier.
- Playing guitar is healthy for any age but when you are older the benefits really show. It will help with physical training, mental acuity, and people love music so it is great for social purposes. It doesn’t matter what age you are, learning to play music is a great decision!
Learning to Play Guitar When Older
Find lessons that suit your abilities and goals and try not to overdo it. While you may have lots of experience in life, start with some beginner guitar lessons. Make sure you get a guitar model that has excellent action so there is as little pain as possible on your fingertips. If you want to play acoustic, stick to smaller parlor bodies so they are easier to manage holding them.
When you start playing, focus on getting clean chords and transitions with simple chord progressions like G-C-D or G-Em-C-D. If hitting full chords is hard you can do partial chords depending on how they sound. Use capos if you have trouble with barre chords and don’t worry about “cheating” to get a good sound. Playing guitar shouldn’t be overly complicated so keep it simple with basic chords and techniques.
It may be necessary to take breaks longer than one day, the last thing you want to do is cause an injury while practicing. For the most part, learning the guitar as a senior is the same except for the potential for getting hurt, the best way to combat this is to know your limits and don’t push it.
If you have too much pain you need to change your style of playing to slide and fingerpicks if they help. Another method is to put a 6-string acoustic on top of your legs and play it like a lap steel. This change will make it so you don’t have to hold the guitar up and there is less pressure on your fingertips. You don’t have to play the guitar like everyone else, do it in the manner you want!
Online Lessons Are a Great Fit
As always guitar lessons are the best way to learn to play music, you just need to find the right teacher. If you are in an area that offers some form of in-person instruction that will be helpful. However, if private tutoring isn’t around or is too expensive your best bet will be online lessons. There are many ways to study guitar at 60 thanks to the great teachers and proper online training.
- With recorded online lessons you can practice and play guitar whenever you want, if your hands are sore there is no need to cancel a practice. Scheduling is one of the best benefits for all ages when it comes to guitar websites.
- Online lessons are also more affordable since there are limitations and the price is adjusted. And often when you buy lessons in bulk you can get a better deal. Once you have financially committed you will have more incentive to stick with it.
- There are so many different online guitar lessons available it can be a little overwhelming. This means you will have lots of choices and plenty of topics to study. If it is too much just stick to the basics of guitar like easy songs and chord progressions.
- It can be embarrassing dealing with someone younger teaching you a new skill. It shouldn’t be, but let’s be honest, it is! With online study, you are in the privacy of your own home. You can do things at your own pace without worrying about feeling bad or strange.
- No matter how you decide to do the lessons it will ultimately matter how much effort and time you put into the process. Find a teacher or lesson program that will motivate you to keep going through the repetitive monotony and pain.
It is possible to learn the guitar at 60 years or older, if you run into issues there are many different paths to take for success. There are other musicians and guitarists that overcame huge obstacles and disabilities to play music, take guidance from them, and adapt to your unique differences. If you truly want to succeed in music It is all about repetitive practice and sticking to the goal, so find a good teacher and start playing guitar!