7 Tips for Older Beginners | Tom Strahle | Easy Guitar | Basic Guitar
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- Опубліковано 10 тра 2024
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From this video...
Tip #1 - Practice 5 minutes a day (to start)
Tip #2 - Lighter Strings/Lower Action
Tip #3 - Toughen up the finger pads
Tip #4 - Keep the guitar out where you can get to it
Tip #5 - Warm up
Tip #6 - Practice efficiently
Tip #7 - Keep it simple to fight discouragement
Here's a warm-up exercise... • Two Left Hand Exercise...
The Killer Finger Independence Exercise - ua-cam.com/users/edit?o=U&vide...
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The guitar is a 1965 Gibson Folksinger BTW. It's missing the lower pick guard. It originally came with two, an upper and a lower probably because (say it with a crotchety old man voice) "these kids today are using these things called plectrums and scratching up the top of the guitar. So let's glue two big pieces of plastic on the top to protect it."
Tom Strahle , can you please show the chord shapes when playing in open G tuning, open D tuning. It’s easier to practice if you have a diagram that shows the shape of the chords
I think there are "shapes" listed in the info section of the Open D one and fret numbers in the video of the open G one. I don't have the software to create the diagrams.
Tom, playing with a pick wasn't exactly new in the mid 1960s. The folksinger is basically a classical guitar redesigned for steel strings. Its got a classical like body, but with "X" style bracing to handle steel string tension, a truss rod (usually absent in classical guitars), wide classical-like neck and bridge width, and flamenco type golpeadores for the pickguard. The reason for the top pickguard is because flamencos will strike there with their thumb for percussion accompaniment, not so much to protect against pick scratches. In this case, I think the flamenco style was basically an asthetic choice on Gibson's part for a more "folksy" looking instrument. Its a great guitar for a fingerstyle acoustic player, btw.
I also don't know why a top of the line guitar would have a "pick guard" glued to the top of a $4000 guitar. grrrr like my D41 Martin.....
As a rule, be wary of plastic pick guards before 1975. The plastic of that time tends to shrink and can pull the wood fibers enough to crack. Common problem in Martin, but I just had to repair my Guild w/ exactly same problem
I'm a 55 years old grandma. I grew up in a family of musicians where all the male learned to play the guitar, but the females. All the females were sent to the kitchen to learn how to cook and clean.🙄🤣 Now it's my time. I'm going to learn to play the guitar on "my own". Well, here I'm looking for easy classes for beginners. 🤣
Thanks Angie.
look up justinGuitar
It's so nice to hear from you Angie.
Now you learn and play, tell the male to cook and clean...lol 😄👍
I lesrned from yjust outube primarily. If theres the interest, yeah it takes us there....
Yes! My dad was always hesitant to teach me drums, guitar or how to pick up a spackle knife and it’s all stuff I WANTED to learn. He couldn’t wait for my brother to get old enough so I learned certain things out of him being defeated. He didn’t want to wait 7 more years to pass down his knowledge. But by the time he caved and made me his buddy he was into computers and I only learned how to be a helper when he had a weekend spackle job. I have had to teach myself so much! I currently have a job installing home theater equipment (I am the only female on my team and I am so proud of that) and I got a guitar for Christmas from my hubby. (My name is Angie too by the way and I feel this post to my soul)
I'm 87 and I'm finally starting to learn guitar. I love the way you're teaching.
i'm 60, divorced and disabled and just starting with a guitar.. my biggest challenge is trying to learn to read Music, learn finger placement, and timing all at one time.. but i'm workin at it Daily.. I WILL prevail..
Hey Scott, keep it simple :) You dont need to read music unless you do fingerpicking ... start with playing chords and some simple 4 chord songs you know the melody of and try to go along with it, sing with it, or just hum the melody along ... Like ..Smokie: Living next door to Alice, Cranberries: Zombie, Justin Timberlake :What goes around comes around,.Rihanna: Rehab ... Good luck and Have fun !
Strumming the rhythm is the hardest for me
A trick I use is this.
The notes in between the lines from bottom to top spells FACE.
The notes ON the lines from bottom to top I remember with this
Everyone Get Back Dad Farted.
That's a big chunk of the notes to get you started
Nobody is going to ask you to read, playing w others. Lol. They'll hand you a song list and go, see you next week.
So, you EAR is going to blow past reading
I often see advice on the must-have metronome.
It makes me feel good that there's so many old farts like me that believe that their not too old to learn what was just a dream as a kid. Thank You for thinking of us! JD
It is never too late!! Keep the motivation up 🤟🏻
I just started ay 63 , no excuses
@@TheMoneyMakingMentor Just started at 58. Good to know I'm not alone.
God be with you bro, you can do it.
I'm 60 and getting ready to buy one .. . Still not sure which electric I want to get. Lol
Hi Tom,I am an absolute beginner at 82 years old and my first guitar is arriving on Wenesday,I am determined to learn how to play it and your tips an encouragement and commonsense approach is just what I need,thanks a lot.
Go for it! I retired at 67 and started my first guitar lessons the following week. I am 4 plus years into being a beginner. It is slow, hard work, but I love the beauty of the sound of a classical guitar. I recommend that you work with a teacher so that you can get custom advice to address your particular needs. I am driven by the guitar's sound and it has helped me appreciate classical music deeply. Be patient and don't beat yourself up if you progress slowly. Learning guitar is not for sissies.
I am 73 and just started learning how to play the guitar. My older brother (RIParadise) was an excellent guitar player so hopefully l can fall in his footsteps 🙏🏾
Fantastic and the tips in this video are pure gold. I resumed guitar two years ago at age 68 after a 25 year absence due to a hand injury. Go for it! Take joy in simple steps.
I’m 66 and this is something I’ve always wanted to do….mom made me take the piano..I can read music, thanks mom
@@itsonlyatail My mom got me started on the accordian by 3 grade, why she didn't start me on a guitar, played into high school and never really liked it or practicing !!
I am 77 years old a beginner and I struggle with all the chords but I will win in the end lol
you'll get good at 87 . . keep practicing . . it took me 30 years to play decently LoL
You can start learning with 2 chords song like Jambalaya
Good on ya I'm 60 and I'm gonna win too.
dont get a folk guitar is harder on the fingers get yourself a electric guitar with low action string set on the neck , you be playing those chords in a week time also play with 8 or 9 gauge strings folk guilar most of the time use 11's, big differences!! ua-cam.com/video/LTseTg48568/v-deo.html
Dennis, cheers to you! I'm 68, still not very good after several years, but I sure like playing. My fingers are a bit beat up from life, so for example, if you can't barre, play a "cheater" F chord. Instead of a C chord, play a C add 9, for example. Keep enjoying! Matt
I’m 75 and have been “playing” for about 5 months. Practice every day. Love to play. I try to challenge myself with cord progressions that are difficult. Don’t always succeed that day but there’s always tomorrow. I figure if I keep doing this I’ll have more tomorrows. I don’t do this to perform for anyone else but me. It keeps my mind and my fingers more nimble.
Very good. You are exactly right.
Thank you. I am just starting out; you give me hope.
You have the last name for it.
You've heard of Neil and Angus, maybe even Malcolm, Now there's George.
Don't let him fool you, He's playing for the ladies... lol.
Really helpful. Thank you so much. 😊
I’m a 61 year old, tired nurse. Trying to get my mind off the pandemic! Just bought my first guitar. I’ll be watching and practicing!
Stick with it! Practice a little every day. I played in my teens, stopped for decades and just got back into playing again. Music soothes the soul!
Vicki-First off-
Thanks, you're all Angels. We'd be worse shape without you.
ANYWAYS-61 y.o. rocker here & my classic vibe 70's Stratocaster will be here in 1-2 days. Fender LT25 came today. Will be learning along side ya! Hang in there.🎸🎶
Thank you for your service.
67 yo retired rn gal here...and beat around on my electrics...no one to play with though..so just entertain myself..have fun.
46 year old GP, and same here, friend. Hope you're enjoying it as much as I am:)
5 minutes of guitar practice is infinity better than no guitar practice.
By the mid-70's I developed a repertoire of roughly 50 songs and had learned just enough guitar to support myself playing solo for 'happy hour' in hotel bars/lounges...2-3 hours a night...brought home around $300 each week (back then that was pretty good money for a girl). Then I got married, raised a family and hardly ever touched the guitar for over 40 years...until this past Christmas when one of my sons gifted me with a brand new Fender Redondo (a sentimental replacement of my first guitar back in the late '60's). Now, I'm trying to 'really learn' to play and at 71, I found that what little I already knew has come back to me rather quickly...even the calluses. I've been following all but a couple of these 7 tips since Christmas and am so grateful for UA-cam! This is great advice for the 'older' first time guitar student...and good encouragement for all others, too.
I LOVE this! Thank you Sandy!
Those are all great tips Tom, I'm 60 years old and I'm picking up guitar for the 4th time, this time I'm determined to do it right and succeed, if I had UA-cam when I was a young person and had access to people like you I would be a very accomplished guitar player by now, thanks for all you do.
I am 60 yrs old also and started learning in highschool. I didn't do very well and have decided to buy my step daughter a guitar and with the help of UA-cam we are going to learn together. Cheers.
Hi
I’m 71 and recently retired and now have time on my hands to learn guitar having not picked one up for over 50 years.
Thanks for taking the time to post some valuable information for us older folks who want to start playing.
Great video 👍
❤
I’m a 44 year old mom & a second time beginner. I wish I had the focus and clarity of intent that I have now when I was young and had all of that time on my hands! These tips are fantastic, thank you!!
Im 64 and ive been a beginner since i was about 10
L.....O......L
😂😂😂
🤣
You and me both.
47 and started playing at 36... I'm still at 2nd year level, lol
I bought my guitar at 14, took 1 lesson and didn't go back because the teacher " made me feel uncomfortable". I became a dancer, took singing lessons for 5 years but it's at 50 that music happened. I'm 67 and Covid 19 made me dust my guitar. I'm learning fast and loving it. Great teachers on UA-cam !!! Maturity helps haaaa. 😷🤗💚🎸
How do you find it with finger dexterity, I'm getting a sore wrist trying to play basic open chords due to where fingers have to go.
Same! Ouh I dont mean I'm 68. I mean I'm 14 and just bought my own guitar. I hope you'll keep playing the guitar for years to come. 😅 sorry if I sound rude or anything.
Good for you!
When I was a kid taking lessons, I'd fumble through the lesson and I'd tell him that I got it right at home. He would always say, don't practice till you get it right, practice till you can't get it wrong. I've never forgotten and they're words I try to live by. Thanks for the excellent video Tom!
That’s great advice. I’m going to remember that.
I'm not sure that you are doing great stuff 🤠 I will suppor you.🎸🌹❤️😺😸😹😾🙉👣🏌️🚶🧑🔧
When I got the guitar I was 6
The Year of 2023
Was nice but this year
Is better than last time we can do this for the month 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 0:11 🎉🎉❤😂😢?🥰👩❤️👩🕺🕺👩❤️💋👨💃🎠🇸🇮🇸🇮🇵🇷🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇨🇮🇸🇮🇷🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇸🇮🇩🇭🇺🇮🇩🇬🇹
Really good advice
I’m 46 and just got my first guitar today. I played clarinet for a long time but always wanted to try guitar or piano. I am nervous about starting but these suggestions are great. Good luck to all of us.
My mom played guitar beautifully and I used to always want to learn. We became estranged for years and she passed away recently. I have one of her guitars now and I really want to learn for the memory of my mom and the good years that we had. The strings are broken only a few are intact. I'm going to send the existing string to have jewelry made and put new string on it and try to learn. I hope it will heal my soul on a lot of levels. Wish me luck and thank you for your videos.
So sorry to hear about your mum.
Music is a food for everything and every one. I' m pretty sure your guitar playing will be heard by your mum wherever she is.
Learn for your mum and play guitar for your mum.
God bless and keep strumming. 🙏
Tom is a best teacher we all have found.
Good luck Clanton 👍
Good thing is you should always replace the strings on a used guitar. Good luck I hope you stick with it and honour your mom.
Great tips. Many thanks.
I started learning 11 days ago. I can’t put my guitar down. I am forced to stop with the chords as my fingers are too sore so then I do some strumming practice or picking practice.
I have become a woman possessed or obsessed or both. Loving it too.
Regards from an absolute beginner aged 63.
All the best from Scotland 🏴
I am 75 years young and decided to build a kit guitar during Covid. Now i'm learing to play and really appreciate your tips.
I'm 50 and my teacher had me write a list of 10 songs I would like to learn. The one she chose to teach me was "Won't back down" Tom Petty. It true, learning to play a simpler song is a huge ego boost and keeps you interested in playing! Thanks for the tips!
Another important rule... Practice slowly enough that you don't make mistakes. Play too fast, you make mistakes, and that's what you'll learn. It's about muscle memory. Play slowly enough to teach your muscles correctly.
Very true. A point I hope to make in a future video about playing fast.
@@TomStrahle My classical piano instructors used to drill this one into me. It requires discipline, but it does work.
I've only been playing for a few months. The tips in this video are excellent. I might add the following advice to fellow rank beginners:
1) Be okay with the struggle. It takes a lot of time and effort to learn guitar. No secret there.
2) Play what feels fun at the time, otherwise practice can feel like a drag
3) Have an idea what you eventually want to play (solos, chords, finger picking, etc.). There're a so many different paths and so much to learn, but you don't need to know it all right now. Then, focus more on building the skills that will get you playing what you like, sooner.
4) View lessons and material from a variety of sources. Different folks, different strokes and such!
I got bored of playing guitar then wrote music now i have one
Absolutely true. I am 55 years old and that's exactly what I experience . It takes time and progress is not linear, it's more in steps.
Big issues for older guitarists are health and injury. I have severe osteoarthritis in my hands and have had two finger joints replaced already. Bar chords are virtually impossible due to the limits of motion and the deformity caused by the arthritis. That said I hang in there, play daily and for long periods of time. I play and arrange for myself so that I can continue to create music. It helps me deal with life.
Why not tune to open chords and pick up a slide?
I have been playing guitar for way too long to be at the level I am, but the best piece of advice I got was in this video. ALWAYS have your guitar within reach. I had my guitar in the case for years and pulled it out only when I was in the mood. Now I have three spread around the house so I can pick it up whenever I see it.
62 yrs old and just started teaching myself... Then i got interested in travis picking and in 2 weeks now i use it to play some songs i like dearly. ❤
Hello Tom! I'm 71-years-old and I just decided to learn to play the guitar. I ordered my guitar tonight. and found this video. It has really encouraged me and most likely saved me a lot of heartaches. I'll trim my nails and start toughening up my fingers while I wait for my guitar!
Hi Gene, I'm 70 and planning on taking up the guitar in the near future. I tried learning back in the 70s but never really got the hang of it. The instructional material is light years ahead of my Mel Bay book. I'm really getting excited about it, Good luck to you.
@@williambissell794 And good luck to you, William. I'm having a very hard time making the D major chord, but I keep working at it.
I started learning guitar a year ago at 60. Since being retired, I have the time. Took online lessons and You Tube. I found learning the main major chords early (C.A,G,E,D,Em,Am) and practicing those with an occasional simple riff helped toughen my finger tips. Stretching my old fingers and wrists helped. Be patient and practice regularly. It is a long process so don’t hurry! It will start being fun!
I just bought my first guitar today and I am 62. The guy at the guitar shop showed me Em (thanks Alan!). I would get my 3d printer going then start pickin and grinnin. This is going to be awesome!. Going to fit right in with my vocal lessons, which I started last fall. Being retired has given me time to broaden my musical skills!
I am 65 years old and have been playing guitar for over 50 years, definitely not a beginner. I appreciated this video, it is always good to go back to the basics and be reminded of the techniques and practices that started your journey.
Thanks so much for watching!
Thanks for some great tips. I’m 46 and started learning a few weeks ago. By far the best tips for me have been to leave the guitar out in the living room and to set 5 min goals for practice. Those 5 mins turn into 30 every time!
I’m 66 with bad arthritis in my hands. Got a beautifully made guitar and starting to learn. It’s in my lounge room and I try to get to it every day. My teacher has me learning scales (g) and a couple of basic songs that mostly require tabs and simple chords. Yesterday and Sunshine of your Love. I’m learning to slow it down, concentrate on the beat and practice in small amounts as suggested by Tom. Really found the hints helpful. Thanks.
Amazing. My dad brought a Gibson in 1951 we were at some body’s house ever Saturday night. He bought Fidel Bangor piano everting trying to get me to play. I sure missed my boat . I love country music and miss all the ole guitar picking and grinning. Still wish I could pick and sing like my ole dad. Sure miss that ole silver hair man!!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Another staple piece of advice is to never stop playing whether you miss a note or progression. Keep working through it or you'll never learn. Excellent presentation.
I’m 70 years old. I stared playing accordion at the age of 8 because that’s was for my fathers ego.Left home at 17 and so did all the years of music study which I was never really keen on. It was not what I wanted when the Beatles hit the charts. For years I yearned to play guitar. And so it went into latency. Until now, thanks to guys like you, I took the step and just bought my first classical and acoustic beginners guitars and really look forward to be able fulfil that desire. I really appreciate all the knowledge you impart to help us on our way .
Good tips, thanks Tom. I'll be 75 next month. I just bought a new Martin with lighter strings and lower action, a pleasure to play with my old and somewhat arthritic fingers. I've been playing off and on for a long time but stick to songs with basic chord structure, I, IV, V, I, and play mostly in G because of the finger joints. I play every day for at least an hour or so, write songs, etc. Before I play I put this pain relief ointment on my fingers (of the left hand) It helps. Everyone should learn guitar. It's like a best friend.
One can play most country and folk music using 3 chords + maybe a minor 7th or 9th thrown in. I use a squeeze ball to increase finger strength and flexability. I'll probably die with my guitar in my hands.
65 years old, just getting started again trying to learn the guitar.....great advice! Thanks for the great video.
Thanks Tom. I'm 60 years old and just starting to learn how to play. I've loved music my entire life and have fantasized about playing the guitar for most of it. I'm a lefty and just purchased a used Yamaha Pacifica electric. Wish me luck and thanks again. James
listen to tool invincible it inspired me to play
I'm 62, I've owned several guitars over the years, but zero time to learn anything, bought a new Gibson after Christmas, I've learned more in 3 months than the rest of my life. Thanks to UA-cam and people willing to post.
I took up guitar 50 years ago when I was 20. It consumed me. Then reality hit me and I had to get a degree and go to work and raise a family. Now at 70, I'm picking up those old guitars of mine, a classical and Gibson steel string, and yes that vintage Stratocaster I bought back then. I can still play some chords but the fingers are rusty. So I have a head start on most of the oldsters out there. I just need to play!
It's "almost" funny that I came across this video. My sister passed away on Feb 24 2018, and she played the guitar. My favorite song to hear her play was...you guessed it! Stairway To Heaven. The day she passed, as she lay in the hospital, they held a phone to her ear and put me on speakerphone so I could say my goodbyes (I live out of state). No one was sure she could hear and understand, but I was told she did respond. But I told her how much I loved hearing her play that song, and how I felt "The Lady" in the song was her. Then I promised her I'd learn to play it myself - both on the piano and the guitar. At the time I felt it would somehow make a difference, as if she would find the strength to survive by those words, and in my mind, I saw myself playing the song to her. ( I took piano lessons in late 2016 and into 2017, but had to quit when I had to have surgery. I planned to continue on my own, but it didn't work out that way. My father was also a guitar player and taught me some chords and a couple of songs when I was a teen, but I got married and eventually stopped playing. When I pick up the guitar now, I feel like a complete beginner. Nothing comes back to me. I am now 57). After my beautiful sister passed, and I was able to find the strength to do so when I wasn't crying my eyes out, I listened to Stairway To Heaven, and I thought "Oh boy, this is going to be tough." Then I stumbled across this video, and wouldn't you know, you mentioned Stairway To Heaven and how supremely difficult it would be for a beginner to learn. You are right. Absolutely. But, I'm still going to make it a goal - but thanks to this video, I'm going to be more realistic about it. I may never learn it in it's complete form, but it's driving me right now. I made that promise, and I'm going to at least learn some chords and some simple songs along the road to learning Stairway To Heaven. Now I also know how easy my sister made it seem, but how difficult it must have been for her to learn. She was dedicated and talented, just like my Dad was. Thanks so much for this video!
Sorry for your loss Deb. Actually there are bits of it that are hard, however back in the 70's and 80's when I was teaching, I taught that song to many beginners, granted they were teenagers with unlimited energy and burgeoning facility! Those were the days. However let the little victories energize you. Being able to do something today I couldn't yesterday is the best part of the journey for me. Take small bites and then string them together. Much of the song is simple open chords.
Tom Strahle Thank you so much!
You are very welcome!
What a lovely and poignant story. Thanks for sharing it.
God bless
I’m 58 and a few years ago I was telling my buddy, who plays really well, I wish I had learned to play. He got up walked into his house came out handed me a Yamaha guitar and said “it’s yours” no more excuses! I played a year or so and gave up. HERE I GO AGAIN!! It’s time
I will be 40 in September. Do you think I should try playing the guitar?
Steven M. Keep going! I’m determined to learn myself!
@@helengvozdovskaya9056 I am 73, My answer to you is of course yes !! You will be blessing my soul every day long after I am gone, for suggesting you 'YES!!'. The old saying is, 'if you keep playing guitar and hold it for one year it will never leave you & It will be with you forever'. My first song was the simplest song 'BEAUTIFUL EVENING WALTZ.' an one string song of thin E string. You tube will teach you everything don't learn to play chords first. It will frustrate you & you will stop playing. Learn nursery rhymes first, it will make you feel happy, then you will never stop playing. You will end up playing guitar to please the child in you. Learning scales & Chords will come to you at the right time. Don't bother about it now. Learn theory one page at a time from the guitar book which comes along with the guitar. Guitar Player needs to know only the treble clef at the beginning (also called as G clef) so don't bother about other things. Don't go for costly guitar if you already have one that is enough to start with. You will know when you need to up grade. Don't bother about negative comments & discouragement from anybody. keep playing. 'wake up the child sleeping inside you. 'All the BEST'.
@@asokan0015 Thanks a lot for such a nice and warm message, my dear!
@Steven M. (my name, too, BTW), "Never Give Up, Never Surrender!" - Tim Allen as Captain Peter Quincy Taggard (Galaxy Quest)
53 year old beginner. I will check in and update my progress. Thanks for the encouraging lesson.
Yes, I know I'm late to this video, but I just want to say thanks for t he tips, Tom. I'm 68 years old and I've owned my guitar since 1972 (an old Conn F-10) and never learned how to play, because I never was able to "come up with the time". I've been retired since May, 2017 and had other distractions, but I realized, after the 2020 virus hit, that I should either get rid of the guitar or learn properly how to play. In July I got my guitar set up (for the first time I think) and mid-October decided to start lessons. When I picked up my guitar after the set up I bought a stand and a tuner (Super Snark). I like the info you gave us in this video and I know that if I had not bought the stand, the guitar would have ended up back in the basement. I find myself practicing every day two, sometime three times a day now and I've always kept my eyes on the small victories that I make. So we must always watch for the victories if we want to stay motivated. Thanks again.
I appreciate your advice. I am an older beginner (68.) I played a little when I was younger but never gave it the effort needed. I am now determined to learn this instrument. I think your advice is priceless. Thank you, and I will keep watching for more invaluable nuggets of wisdom. By the way, I bought a Martin guitar and that made all the difference.
Thanks Tom, I played on & off for many years & only got serious about 3 & a half years ago. I will be 60 in a month. Hope I can encourage some people who read this. A tip I would give is you have got to be patient with yourself. It is so easy to get frustrated, sometimes if a particular thing is making you feel that way, then play something easy for a while & come back later to the hard thing. I am retired with time to practise and have even surprised myself how much progress I have made. Many people assume that great players just picked up a guitar & were terrific from the start, this is not true. Even Eric Clapton quit at one point because of frustration, but tried again & look what happened. So be patient everyone & practise, practise and you will amaze yourself.
I had an 8 hour regimen that I did from the age of 15 to the age of 35. Almost religiously every day.
Ray Ross dust in the wind
Ray Ross oppp
Thanks man you encourage me to be more patient on practice playing guitar ...
Ray Ross I'm
So glad I found this. At age 67 I.m going to do this one more time.
I just turned 66 and I started when I was 11, it took 5 months of hard practice but one day I woke up and I could play half way decent, but I left the guitar alone for about 25 years when I got into computers for my vocation. I have a Taylor 6 String and Yamaha 12 String and I wouldn't say it's like starting from scratch again, but there is a lot I forgot. Thanks for the tips Tom.
Dear Tom, I just picked up a guitar, am soon to be 50 and your video was very very encouraging. Thank you
I am 75 years old and I have the exact problem you described. The F chord is giving me fits. Thank you for your suggestion.
I’m 65 , I started around 16 when I was able to afford a basic guitar. Bought a classical used but the frets were worn so (only paid $20) bought a $200guitar back in1976. Wore the frets out after about 10 years. Had lessons at community college 12 credits. Hit a wall when I couldn’t get advice on the fretboard and set it aside to raise 5 children. Before about 54 bought a $2000 Taylor acoustic electric that has a sweet sound that sang to my heart. Also bought an all mahogany 12 string recently for 50% off of $500. Played on and off until the last year when I found teachers like you on UA-cam. Thank you for taking the time to encourage how to take time practicing for 5 minutes a day. My fingers go numb and stiffen up more than they did in my teens and twenties. I still push through until I can’t hold a chord ( use light strings). Thanks for the tips. I would like to learn Stevie Nicks “Landslide”. I like to pick 1st song I picked was Stairway to Heaven in 1976. Also always had trouble with B chord. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Stephen F.
Holy cow! I have been playing for 60+ years. I just want to say that your suggestions/advice are totally right on!
Wow, I'm 25, and I thought "man I'm too old to play." Reading some of the comments of people starting out much later in life are inspiring. Thank you for making a video for us older beginners, these tips are great.
Junior Torres samee
.
Completely agree with everything .. I'm 61 and started playing Fender Tele about a year ago and loving it. Couple of things I would add. Stick with it as it does take time and dedication to play the guitar so don't beat yourself up if it doesn't happen for you in the first 5 minutes. Also I found when I took lessons with a teacher I learnt a lot quicker. Appreciate not everyone can afford lessons but I found it really helps to have a mentor who is on hand to keep you focused.
I'm 65, started 8 yrs ago with uke. Lately, graduated to guitar when a friend gave me one she'd stashed away 20 years ago in a pillowcase. Keep it accessible, part of lifestyle. I start with the difficult, like the F to something else. Everyone will evolve their own. Remember, when you are alone that the music will always be there for you.
49 yr old beginner. And this video was awesome. Great insight to reaffirm some things I already thought, and new things I had no idea about. THANKS!
Hi Tom, I am 58 and been taking lessons for about a year, your advice was very practical and I enjoyed video. If you could make more videos towards "Older Beginners" it would be appreciated... thank you.
I can guarantee that's going to happen. This is blowing up!
Tom, do you want to comment on older beginners maybe having less flexibility in the fingers? Looking at a 12 bar blues section in a book, had 2 fret and 4 fret stretches on the 5th, 6th strings. I can do 3.5 frets ...
Late to the party but thanks for the video & the tips. Luckily this was more of a check list for me as I've done everything but #7. Need to pick out some simple songs I guess. Subscribing in hopes of seeing more "old man tips". Recently started guitar after a two and a half decade break from music. Former string player. Fingertips are still dead even after 20 odd years. Less a matter of calluses than deadening the nerves, like a muay thai boxer getting kicked in the shins for years on end.
One point I remember from violin days, and am getting reminded of now that I am learning guitar, finger strength is not a matter of working your fingers but your forearm. The muscles that move the fingers are actually in your lower arm. You use your adductor muscles every day to grip things but you don't use your extensor muscles as much (those are the ones that open the hand up vs closing it). It's kinda like someone that does nothing but curls in the gym but never works their triceps... thus, they (the extensors) are neglected and need balancing. My orchestra teacher had us do (what I now know are basically) rasqueado exercises. You can practice them on your leg with your fingering/fretting hand, using your leg for resistance. Cup your hand like you are holding a ball and flick you fingers out individually using your thigh for resistance. Obviously, useful for the right hand if you want to learn flamenco. Also, in addition to warm up, stretching your wrists and forearm muscles before or after playing is important. Lots of tiny muscles, tendons, and ligaments to work and you can injure them just like big ones. Middle aged muscles & tendons aren't like young ones I've noticed the last few years. I'd hate to get tendonitis.
SUGGESTION: In working with beginners of all ages, I observed a tendency to screw up the ergonomics of playing by tilting the guitar and bending over to see where there fingers are, then straightening to strum the chord...rinse and repeat at each chord change. This makes it even harder to place the fingers. This is particularly problematic for older players who might have "extended" waistlines. Here's a trick that I came up with for myself when I was learning my closed position swing/jazz chords: Instead of looking directly at your hands, practice while looking in a mirror (or, these days, a mirrored video camera image would work). This is a great short-cut to developing the required muscle memory to grab your chords without thinking about it.
One more thing...always remind beginners to practice in good ergonomic position, which means sitting upright on a straight back chair or similar height stool. Sitting on a soft sofa or easy chair just makes everything harder to start with and develops bad habits.
As an older beginner bass player with an extended waistline your observations are spot on regarding tilting , bending over to see where there fingers are and sitting on a soft sofa ... will try the mirror trick cheers
Ron Thomas , this is me! I just got my guitar 5 days ago, im 59 yrs. old. Having so much trouble with my D chord, but im gonna give it hell!
Thanks that is a good idea
This is really important! I’m a 27-year-old beginner and I feel like my right shoulder is going to fall off after like 10 minutes of playing if I don’t practice in front of a mirror!
Want to see video
I am 70 years old and just bought a nice Gretsch & Squire guitar. Now that I’ve retired I’ve decided to learn a new skill.
I appreciate your tips as I’m as green as anyone and never played an instrument. Thanks for the tips, I’ll be watching and
waiting for your next video. Thanks
I’m 76 and restarting playing , from scratch. Great suggestions Thankyou Tom
Hi Tom. I thank you for this great and very encouraging video. I am 63 and recently retired. My Beautiful wife bought me a guitar almost 8 years ago for my birthday. I have always been haunted by it. I have always loved music and have decided to conquer my fears of failure and used the precious time the Lord has given me. God bless you too.
Outstanding advice! I have picked the guitar back up after a few years away and I’m committing to it wholeheartedly now. Oddly, your last tip about celebrating each and every little victory, was one of my first revelations. Thanks again. Good stuff!
It's amazing! You really understand the lack of time in the older student schedule, the tips about efficiency are great, as well as the warm up. And the F chord tips are awesome. Thanks. I'd add one more tip - choose the guitar according to your physical abilities. I am the neverending self learner, I started in the age of 12, never had a teacher, always came to the Bare chords and always failed. Now, few decades later, I decided to give it one more chance. But this time not taking my old (poor) guitar, but purchasing a new one. I am pretty small, with small hands, so I chose the 7/8 guitar instead. And hey! Here we are, I can play the Bare now! So maybe if you struggle with similiar problems, changing the instrument to the one with narower kneck would help as well. Anyway, thanks a lot for your video. It's really helpfull! (and yes, I know with proper practicing, even kids are able to play bare on full Latino guitar, but here we come to the lack of time, discouraging and efficiency)
Holy smokes 70s and 80s??!!?? Good for you, people !!! I thought I was the old guy he was talking about, and I'm 49. I'm surprised how quickly I'm picking it up.
Just started at 50 and really appreciate the encouragement for this old dog!
Thank you for the great videos. Sixty four years old and just bought a hundred dollar Strat copy. My thought was, even if I never learn to play anything, I love looking at it. I have learned to play several songs by using single note tab sheets. No chording, I can't seem to spread my fingers over several frets. I am having a blast playing what I can and trying to get a little better each day. I can easily spend an hour plucking away. The folks that have commented here are an inspiration to me.
I haven't played in YEARS and since I was given my dads old Washburn, it's really encouraged me to play - Plus I have a song I want to learn when I get everything down again :). Your tips absolutely are wonderful and are the same advice my dad gave me when he started teaching me
I AM 67 AND LEARNING THE GUITAR AGAIN. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. I HOPE THERE IS MORE FOR US OLD GUYS.
Great video. Really useful!
I played obsessively as a 17/18 year old, but really aimed too high too early. Thought I could be Dimebag in a year or 2. Got frustrated and stopped playing.
34 now, recently picked up some new equipment, got back into it, playing with a lot more patience and maturity now. I found a good little tip is to unplug the guitar and noodle around with scales and basic enough songs while watching TV. I don't really notice I'm playing, and without seemingly any effort, I've learned a new song in a day or 2.
Love the tip about playing simple songs. I gave up trying to play 20 years ago, when all I wanted to do was play like Steve Vai, Malmsteen, Zappa etc...unrealistic expectations for a beginner. Now I've picked up again and I'm having a blast playing 3 chord songs that are reasonable and helping my learning progress.
I’m 68 and started to play guitar in high school, taught myself learning 3 chords then added new ones along the way. I never learned to play well. Good enough to accommodate singing. My husband bought me a Taylor 710 around 1995. When my husband died 9 years ago I just kind of put it aside. My heart wasn’t in it and my wrists and hands have arthritis. I ended up giving my Taylor to my son who is super talented. I bought a dulcimer which is easier to play but is also limiting. Recently got a big urge to play again and bought a used Taylor FS mini. Even with light strings the action is a little tough for my arthritic hands. I think the pain issue is holding me back. I needed some encouragement and your tips are great. I used to use the method of switching from an easy chord to one I’m having trouble with over and over until my muscles get trained and I eventually conquer it and move on. Now I really have an obstacle trying to start playing again. I live on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Know any teachers out my way. I need to be taught a proper picking style and proper form. I’ve never learned to read music. I don’t think I have the patience to do that. Surprisingly I still have close to my full singing voice. Hopefully I can learn some things your channel! Good on you. Your channel is doing great.
Very helpful advice. I retired as Covid began. I started lessons 3 months ago. It’s great getting input from different guitar players and teachers. Thanks for your encouraging lessons.
I’m starting at 53. And learned my first 3 two fingered chords and I’m stoked! I totally believe in the concept of small victories.
Recabite Jehonadab I'm 53 too and seriously thinking about taking it up. I played two chords (have no idea what they were!!!) on a guitar YEARS ago, but now I want my own!!!
I'm 54. Started learning at 49. Can play a few tunes but have learned sooo much about music.
A month before I turned 61 I decided it was time to learn guitar. I was born with severe hearing lost in both ears and two years ago I got Cochlear Implant in my right ear. So, my primary challenge is my hearing lost and I ended up buying both Electric and Acoustic beginners guitar so I could recognize the difference between them. It’s definitely fun to learn in my own private room, and maybe one day I will have an audience. The Flame by Cheap Trick is definitely a song I would love to play one day.
I wanted to loop back and thank you for this; I am an older musician and I recently picked up the guitar that has been gathering dust in my house, and I have been extremely busy and the "5 minutes a day" really resonated with me. I have been sticking with this, even on days when I'm finishing up work past bedtime, just grab the guitar and play for a few minutes, no matter what, and my playing has transformed, and most days, I do find more than five minutes. But if I wasn't sticking to "every single day", I think it would be gathering dust again. Also, with the quarantine, I've been keeping the guitar next to my work desk as my muse. Thanks for taking the time to make this video!
Tom, thanks for spending the time to do the video's and offering your knowledge to my old ass that is picking up my Lotus 12 stringer after about 20 years. I learned on that Lotus. Yep, a 12 string. If I pick up a 6 stringer its hard for me to get the chords because there aren't enough strings. I learned by sitting across from my dad and following along. After about 2 years we could really jam. We played old 50's -60's music like Roy Orbison, The Everley Brothers, Johnny Cash etc. My dad was slowing dying and I spent the last 3 years he was alive playing 3-4 nights a week. I went over on Monday evening of Thanksgiving week and we started playing at 7pm and played until 2:30am. I put the guitars up and luckily told him that I loved him and I would see him later. He was sitting at the kitchen table when I left and a family friend found him dead at 8:30am still sitting at the table. So we buried him on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. I hate Thanksgiving. It was devastating, it tore a giant hole in my soul. November sucks for me and I apologize for rambling on and on. So I put the 12 string in the closet and I tried to get it out a few times but it just hurt to much so I kind of forgot about it due to dealing with life itself. So 20 years later my buddy talked me into picking it back up and start playing with him.
When I opened the case I about had a heart attack. My dumb ass forgot to take the tension of the strings and the bridge was nearly pulled off and the neck didnt look much better. The guitar is at Mareno's guitar clinic getting fixed so I can start playing again. Pete Mareno worked at Gibson for 20 years until they left Kalamazoo and went south. My dad also worked at Gibson for a few years. Some old Gibson alumni are building "Heritage" guitars out of the old Gibson plant. The smoke stack still says GIBSON is big letters. I always have wanted to be able to play an electric and last summer I stopped at a garage sale and ran across a old First Act electric that was sold with some model of Volkswagon car that was setup to have the guitar play through the radio in the car. I stole it for $50. It has VW inlaid on the fret board along with VW on the knobs. On the back of the head stock is the VIN number of the car it was sold with. I really only bought it because it is pretty unique. So I also got a Silvertone cube that was a total POS I didnt have to pay extra for the damn hum. I finally threw it away. So I have had to retire at 50 yrs old due to chronic back problems along with a short battle with cancer. I got lucky. So I now have time to put some work in and play all those old songs to honor my father. I also have Pete Mareno holding a beautiful black Epiphone Les Paul standard that sounds as good as it looks. Right now I have been researching practice amps that will really show how much I suck at the electric guitar. Its a totally different animal compared to that acoustic. So its gonna be a long tedious process but thanks to guys like Tom that take the time to make video's to help newbies learn. Its just shows the passion that the guitar will bring out of a person when they get bitten by the bug. I have learned a lot about the electric side of things. There is so much to learn I get kind of discouraged but I am trying to absorb as much as possible and I play that First Act without an amp just to get my fingers limbered back up and I swear that I will finally master that "F***ing" F-chord. It has always given me trouble. Especially on that 12 stinger. Thank you Tom for your dedication. Your a good teacher and I enjoy watching your videos. I am subscribed to about 8 guys that I enjoy watching, Nobody teaches exactly the same and that's what keeps me coming back.
WOW!!! holy crap I just realized how much I rambled on and on and on. I apologize for the length of the comment.
If you have made it this far I just have one last thing to say.
You will never get back the 3 minutes you spent reading some old dudes BS.
PEACE!
I picked up the guitar 18 years ago as a new years resolution to try something new. I was 37 then. I took some lessons and was frustrated at my progress and my fingers were always sore. I was trying to learn to play something too dufficult for my skill level. After watching your channel I now know to get some lighter strings, play easy stuff, and use the thumb nail to toughen up my finger tips. My guitar has been in its case for 15 years. I'm going to get it out and have it restrung and start again. Thank you for this video. Subscribed
I’m 60 and initially self taught but have been taking lessons lately. Thank you!
I'm a senior, began in my 60s. When I began I didn't know about light strings & lower strings for better action. I tore up tiny stickers to put on the tips of my fingers. Also playing strings instead of chords which was better on my fingers. Now I know the sound of each string so when I play chords I mix it up to make it sound more like the song. Years ago caught my fingers in a mixer & another in the car door so they're bent which make bar chords impossible, even chords with 4 fingers. But I have many many easy songs & can do pull offs mix in individual strings & make the songs sound professional.
Ever since the success of that video I've been creating more and more content on my channel, peruse here - ua-cam.com/play/PL26iCFfeaNUnJeoU7LwmWaVgd5N8NuCjS.html
Super advice! I'm 74 years young and used to play guitar as a second/third instrument about a lifetime ago - now I've decided to try to get reacquainted and I've got myself a nice Sigma-15 acoustic (mahogany) but it's all been a bit of a struggle! Your tips sound like the approach I really need to take! Thanks a million! Damien. :-)
I'm 55 and always wanted to play guitar. Been playing for 2 years now. I play for 5 minutes a day sometimes, and have been getting better all the time. Mostly eagles, Dylan and some Beatles songs. Using my pinky finger now and trying to incorporate a bar chord in every song. Up grated to a 500€ Dowina accostic. Started with a pown shop 85€ begginer. Enjoy your videos and explanations of simple technics. Thank you.
Tom here in Galway city Ireland
I’m sitting at 50 and have 9 guitars I’ve “collected” over the years. I’m a “plinker” as my wife and I say but don’t play. The last week I’ve had more time to pick up a guitar and enjoy the hell out of it. I’ve bought some books and refuse to use a pick (I love finger picking). Travis picking is fun but struggle remembering the pattern, I’m sure it’ll come with more time and practice. Anyway on with the video, I appreciate you taking the time to make this video and look forward to watching more of your content. Thank you sir.
I am 70 and have been playing since 1966 mostly country music, bluegrass, rock lots more. this is a nice video to get you going. I have survived 20 years of kidney failure
and the guitar was my solace in those trying times. I lost my ability to play 5 yrs ago and my band. thanks to some good doctors and PT I am back playing again not as fast or as long.
I have learned to get the same joy from being more deliberate about the songs, listen to them as much as you can, study about the song and find a good key for singing. I have a list that I do each practice. Problem songs get more attention, easy songs get fine tuning. during all of these years of performing and picking It was the other people that you play with that can either propel you forward or diminish your music do your best to find good guitar buddies and don't take the others serious. as an older guy I also have hearing issues. find a good guitar store to help with some technology It has made me ecstatic being able to play again!!!!!! happy picking
Thnx for the tips! I’m practising for almost a year now and the progress is slow but steady. My favorite song to learn fingerpicking was Rod Stewart’s sailing. Also quite easy on the chords. And T-Rexs Love’s an elevator! Keep on practising everyone, making music is a joy for life
I keep picking it up and when I get frustrated I put it down for a few or so. But I really like the guitar a lot and I've always liked it, I played for a very short time in Junior Hight School. I'm 60 now and I really want to give it a crack again. Thanks for your UA-cam stream on older beginners.
You are very welcome.
Thanks Tom, i am 65 and just started to learn.
I’m 61 arthritis in my hands but last week Tuesday 2nd June I decided to join a class to learn guitar I enjoyed my lesson. And decided to practice at home which has made my arthritis flare up which has definitely cut down on my practicing but I’m determined to not give up but to follow your advice if practicing for 5 minutes even it’s only doing the 1234 exercise. I found that I had pain not only in my hands but my shoulders as well.
I’ll persevere though because I’ve read that it is therapeutic for arthritis besides I’ve always loved the sound of the guitar and have wanted to learn this instrument for as long as I can remember and have had my classical guitar since I was about 35 years old but I’m now ready to learn, so much so that even though I’ve to use a walker and avoid stairs like the plague. Unfortunately where the lessons were being had 2 flights of stairs so at 1st I said no, but then I thought about it and rang back the instructor to find out if he would carry my walker up the stairs and I would see if I could make it up using my stick. Well I was able to do so and the course is for 6 weeks and I’m hoping I’ll be able to continue getting up those stairs and if so will go to level 2.
Also saw where another UA-cam instructor of older players wore compression
gloves so I’ve decided to wear mine🙏🙏♥️♥️🇬🇧🇯🇲.
I am a 74-year-old man, now retired. Over the past few years, I have collected several guitars (electric and acoustic), a couple of ukeleles, a very good Yamaha electric piano, and a couple of banjos and intend to become reasonably proficient on all of them. Your video really helped boost my enthusiasm and motivation. It's never too late to learn. Thanks very much. You have a new subscriber.
Picked up first guitar 2 x years ago im 59 this year.
Should have learnt before its so chilling👍
I love tip #7. It is so easy to get discouraged and want to just give up if you try to tackle something hard too soon. Keeping it simple helps you celebrate small victories and feel good about your progress. I was ready to quit because I can’t play barre chords well enough. But I’ve decided that that’s ok - I’ll get it at some point - better to get really good at open chords, strumming, changing chords well, etc and then come back to Barre chords.
That was cool. Great tips. I'm 66 and just starting. My camping buddies play their guitars wherever we go. Hoping to take my guitar one day to surprise them. Thanks again.
I really like your words of advice..huge kind and helpful. I play the Harmonica 62yr old going 2 pick up a guitar. I will get light strings. Easy songs everyday . Started the harp in covid ...can play almost ANY song by doing just what you said about practice
Turned 65 in April and my Sweetie Pie bought me a Red Ashthorpe Guitar and it's has all the bells and whistles, 8 picks, 2 tuners, carrying case and extra strings. Love your videos. Thank you for giving me the push I needed to learn to play.
Started playing at 50.....still at it, haha. has it's ups and downs but I would say progressing slowly!
I am a beginner and every 'problem' you talk about is something I recognize. These tips are great, I hope you have more suggestions and lessons for the older beginners. Thanks!
His tips are spot on. I'm 65 and started Jan 15 , 2020. The best advice I received from my instructor, was Go Slow. Make the notes clear.
Stretch the hand ,keep the beat.,
Tell your family that a certain part of every day is guitar practice. Knowing that in advance they won't feel left out and prone to distract you!
I'm 61 and a beginner. My struggle is my hand position with a lot of the cords. It's like a full workout trying to get my hands to do what they need to do to produce a nice sound. Thanks for all your helpful suggestions!
I'm 71, retired teacher, music major, organist, trying to learn guitar for the first time. We toured Taylor in California and bought a Baby Taylor. Dang, it's tough to learn something new! Thanks for your help, the video and the comments below are priceless!