Learning Guitar In Adulthood: Tips and Strategies

By Gary Heimbauer for Guitar Tricks and 30 Day Singer

If you’ve recently embarked on the journey of learning to play guitar as an adult, you might be facing unique challenges and wondering how to approach this wonderful instrument. Whether you’re in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond, it’s never too late to enjoy the process of learning and creating music. No matter what level you’re at, the process, and the experience offers the same rewards! In this article, we’ll delve into some essential tips and mindset shifts that will help you make the most of your guitar learning experience.

Don’t Be a Technocrat: Prioritize Playing Over Theory

As an adult learner, you might feel the pressure to know all the technical aspects and music theory right from the start. However, it’s crucial not to get overwhelmed with theory as a beginner guitar player. Instead, focus on creating the sounds you want and enjoying the process of playing the guitar. Remember, children are fearless learners because they focus on experimentation and playfulness, not on getting everything right. Embrace this childlike approach and allow yourself to make mistakes while learning.

• Start by learning simple songs and experimenting with sounds.
• Imitate and mimic what you hear and see from other players through online resources.
• Theory can be helpful, but it’s not essential in the early stages of your guitar journey.

Cultivate Your Ear: The Most Valuable Tool

Your ear is your most important asset when learning the guitar. Throughout your life, you’ve been unconsciously training your ear just by listening to music. Take advantage of this innate ability by using your ears as your primary learning tool. Focus on ear training and internalize the music before attempting to play it on your guitar.

• Listen to songs you want to learn repeatedly and familiarize yourself with their melodies, rhythms, and arrangements.
• Hum, tap, clap, or sing along to the music to internalize the sounds and rhythms.
• Use chord charts and tablature as support materials, but let your ear lead the way.

Get started with ear training by trying to pick out simple tunes by ear – tunes that you’ve known since you were a child. This process allows you to connect finger movements with the sounds you hear, leading to a deeper understanding of the instrument.

• Start with familiar songs: Begin by learning easy guitar songs you already know, like “Happy Birthday.” Listen to the melody and try to replicate it on the guitar.
• Don’t worry about scales: At the beginning, focus on the melodies rather than getting caught up in scales and technical exercises.

Prioritize Full Songs over Exercises

Playing music is the ultimate goal, so prioritize learning full songs over technical exercises. Learning exercises can be beneficial later on, but starting with songs will keep you engaged and motivated.

• Make a playlist of songs that you think are within your reach and that you want to learn. Start with the ones that seem easier and gradually move to more challenging ones.
• Play songs with others: Learning full songs prepares you to play with friends or in a band, enhancing your overall musical experience.

The Importance of Understanding Structure

Learning a song involves more than just playing chords; understanding its structure is essential. Follow these steps to effectively learn a song inside out, from start to finish.

• Identify the different sections, such as intro, verse, chorus, bridge, and outro. Count the bars in each section to develop your sense of timing and rhythm awareness.
• Focus on chords and melody first: Simplify the guitar chords and play them in time with the song’s melody. This approach allows you to capture the essence of the song without getting bogged down in complex strum or fingerpicking patterns.
• Know that a song at its core is a melody with chords. Learning music solely by TAB makes you miss the forest for the trees.

Sing and Play or Use a Looper

Integrate singing with playing the guitar to fully immerse yourself in the song. If you’re not comfortable singing, use a looper pedal to record the chords and then learn to play the melody over it. 

Oftentimes, guitar players quit because they are only playing part of the song without having a singer around, or the rest of the band. Guitar learners that also sing stay more engaged and have a richer experience, but with today’s looping technology, non-singing guitarists can simultaneously work on rhythm and lead skills, and play a duet with themselves! 

Simplify Songs and Gradually Add Complexity

When learning a song, start with a simplified version and gradually add complexity as you become more comfortable with it. As I said earlier, at its core a song is just a melody with chords. You can strip a song of its complex arrangement, and it is still the song.

• Prioritize timing and groove: Focus on playing chords in time, even if you simplify the strumming patterns. Consistent timing is key to playing with others and creating an engaging musical experience.
• Gradually add decorations: As you become more proficient with the song, add intricate strum patterns, fingerpicking, or embellishments to enhance your performance.

Play and Connect Musically with Others

One of the most transformative experiences in learning the guitar is playing with others or for others. Music is a communal activity that brings people together and creates a powerful connection. Whether it’s joining a local music group, attending a song circle, or organizing porch concerts with friends and family, playing with others provides invaluable motivation and enhances your musical journey. When you collaborate with fellow musicians, you not only improve your skills but also experience the joy of creating music together, which is deeply fulfilling. If you don’t have someone to play with, using a looper to accompany yourself can still provide a sense of connection and creativity.

Develop Your Rhythm

Rhythm is the heartbeat of music, and mastering it is essential for any guitarist. Regardless of whether you want to focus on lead or rhythm guitar, having a strong foundation in rhythmic accuracy and awareness is crucial. Additionally, studying drumming and rhythmic patterns can significantly enhance your sense of timing and independence between the beat and rhythms that happen over the beat. Understanding different subdivisions, such as whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, triplets, and sixteenth notes, will improve your ability to keep time and play with precision. Prioritizing rhythm in your practice routine will greatly influence your overall musicality and ability to play with other musicians effectively.

Embrace Your Unique Journey

It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to other guitarists and feeling inadequate. However, it’s crucial to remember that music is a personal and expressive journey, and comparing yourself to others can stifle your joy and creativity. Instead, focus on your individual progress, growth, and the pleasure you derive from playing the guitar. Let curiosity and the desire for a deeper experience guide your learning process. When you learn with the intention of expressing yourself and sharing your musical voice, you’ll find constant joy and fulfillment in your guitar journey. Embrace each moment of learning, enjoy the process, and be kind to yourself throughout the challenges. Learning guitar as an adult can be a rich and rewarding journey filled with self-discovery, creativity, and connection. By making it a goal to play with others, while focusing on your unique path, you’re bound to make swift progress and find profound joy in your musical endeavors. Remember that every step you take, no matter how simple or complex, contributes to your growth as a musician. So, keep exploring, keep playing, and enjoy the magic of making music with your guitar!