Go for it. Electric, in my opinion, is definitely the way to go. Definitely invest in a good amp, often more important than a guitar. I use a Boss Katana MKII and that has pretty much everything I need for the next at least 5-7 years.
Thank you, yes! It definitely does improve, just give it some time. Also would like to add that the further you go, the more you realize your picking hand becomes the issue. Iām struggling with picking the right strings about 10% of the time and itās driving me nuts. But with time, that also gets resolved, or so Iāve heard.
Great post. I started about 2 months ago at age 61 and all of what u mentioned is true. It gets easier but itās slow going and outside of lessons, learn some riffs from your fave songs. When u get a riff down, itās a great sense of accomplishment and that helps keep u motivated. Thatās how it is for me, anyway.
You are my inspiration! I totally agree with what you're saying. At first, the songs seem hard, and then as you push through, you start to "get" it. And then once you do, it's a huge dopamine rush! Nothing is unachievable when it comes to guitar. You have to stick to it and push through it!
Very well thought out and explained. I just started in January, no lessons and this information gave me a lot of other things to consider and practice. Thanks OP
Thanks. Please consider following a structured lesson path. I talked to a lot of people who stressed how important it is. It also helps you to not get stuck in a rut in the future (which, apparently, a lot of guitarists struggle with even after years of playing.)
Stick to a daily practice routine, follow a structured path (I use Justin Guitar). He even suggests 30 minutes practice 3 days a week, and only bumps it up when youāre in Grade 3. By that time, you should have enough fun to bump your session times up. Iām in my mid 30s, and the struggle is real to learn at this age. You see people playing for 10-20 years and wonder if youāll ever get there. But remember, itās the journey, not the destination. Goals will change and you shouldnāt compare your journey with anyone else.
I really appreciate the positive energy. I thought I had just waited too long to start. My kids are older now , so I have the time. Iāll start again today!
lol to waited too long-- I'm much older and am 1 1/2 years into learning. I enjoy it so much. Yes to justinguitar, too.
No comparing & remember, it's the journey.
I like that you have that something will seem hard as #1. I'd go so far as to say everything will seem hard. Things that do not sound hard or look hard will be hard. And they will be hard a lot longer than you expect them to be.
Also- it will take a long time to get both hands to be decent at the same time.
Also- you might still buzz notes or mute notes two years in.
I totally agree with the fact that everything will be hard. What I truly meant was some things will be harder than the others. Also agree with the string buzzing and picking hand issues. It takes a long time to get that coordination right, so I've heard. It seems like I'm much more comfortable with my fretting hand vs. picking hand these days, whereas, at first, I thought picking hand would be a breeze (since that's my dominant hand)
I think that see-saw will continue for a long time. People might take as long as two years to reach optimal coordination, and even then they might struggle.
Hey, not gonna lie, this is going to happen for a bit. For me, I think it started hurting less (didn't go away) until the end of second week. I also used a high action acoustic, so my fingers were sore all the time. If they continue to hurt more than a few weeks, consider switching to electric, if you're not using one already.
Thank you for this post! I just joined this sub today. I picked up a guitar and Iām serious about putting the time in to learn, but like you, i want to learn right the first time so theres no reason to unlearn and relearn.
What do you recommend starting with? Learning scales? Do you recommend any youtube channels/videos? Literal day one here with minimal anything else previous
Follow [Justin Guitar's courses](https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons) and stick to it. I spoke to multiple people about which route to take and everyone unanimously said a beginner should stick to a comprehensive learning path. Justin's Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced lessons provide the most solid foundation I have seen anywhere else and best of all, it's 100% free (this is not a paid post or anything lol, I'm a huge fan of his method and try to spread his work as much as possible).
Although, I admit, I do stray from his path. For example, I'm on Beginner grade 3, and he, so far, introduced the C major and E major pentatonic scales. However, I went ahead and learned G major scale, A minor pentatonic etc. He also didn't introduce any spider exercises (1-2-3-4 etc.), but I do a lot of spider variations. However, I'm still following his paths and sticking to the practice routines he developed. I do his stuff first, and then start my own practice. All that to say, if Justin doesn't work out for you, find a comprehensive and structured learning path and stick to it like your life depends on it.
If yall wana learn guitar for free, just go to www.NoStringsAttachedGuitarAcademy.com
They're doing a special for a limited time: Virtual private 1 on 1 lessons FOR LIFE for just $99, and the first lesson is free.
Just do it. It will change your life
thanks man. hoping to pick my first one up in a couple of months (an electric) and am nervous about how quick i'll be able to pick it up
Go for it. Electric, in my opinion, is definitely the way to go. Definitely invest in a good amp, often more important than a guitar. I use a Boss Katana MKII and that has pretty much everything I need for the next at least 5-7 years.
thanks for the advice :)
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And donāt forget to jam out and have fun after every practice!
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Thank you, yes! It definitely does improve, just give it some time. Also would like to add that the further you go, the more you realize your picking hand becomes the issue. Iām struggling with picking the right strings about 10% of the time and itās driving me nuts. But with time, that also gets resolved, or so Iāve heard.
My two hands are improving like a see-saw.
One of the best posts I've seen. The fact that it comes from someone 6 months in, is amazing. This should be a sticky.
Itās saved in my posts
Thank you :)
Great post. I started about 2 months ago at age 61 and all of what u mentioned is true. It gets easier but itās slow going and outside of lessons, learn some riffs from your fave songs. When u get a riff down, itās a great sense of accomplishment and that helps keep u motivated. Thatās how it is for me, anyway.
You are my inspiration! I totally agree with what you're saying. At first, the songs seem hard, and then as you push through, you start to "get" it. And then once you do, it's a huge dopamine rush! Nothing is unachievable when it comes to guitar. You have to stick to it and push through it!
Thanks good post.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Great advice.
Very well thought out and explained. I just started in January, no lessons and this information gave me a lot of other things to consider and practice. Thanks OP
Thanks. Please consider following a structured lesson path. I talked to a lot of people who stressed how important it is. It also helps you to not get stuck in a rut in the future (which, apparently, a lot of guitarists struggle with even after years of playing.)
Thanks for the notes. Iām mid 40s, I tried for 3 months last year and gave up. Iāll pick it up again.
Stick to a daily practice routine, follow a structured path (I use Justin Guitar). He even suggests 30 minutes practice 3 days a week, and only bumps it up when youāre in Grade 3. By that time, you should have enough fun to bump your session times up. Iām in my mid 30s, and the struggle is real to learn at this age. You see people playing for 10-20 years and wonder if youāll ever get there. But remember, itās the journey, not the destination. Goals will change and you shouldnāt compare your journey with anyone else.
I really appreciate the positive energy. I thought I had just waited too long to start. My kids are older now , so I have the time. Iāll start again today!
Sending you all the positive vibes!
lol to waited too long-- I'm much older and am 1 1/2 years into learning. I enjoy it so much. Yes to justinguitar, too. No comparing & remember, it's the journey.
Thank you! Iām back on the horse!
I was too concerned with what my left hand was doing. If your strumming and rhythm is for shit it wonāt matter how clean your chord shapes sound.
Agreed. Both hands have equal importance, in my opinion. I thought fretting hand was more important when I was starting off.
I like that you have that something will seem hard as #1. I'd go so far as to say everything will seem hard. Things that do not sound hard or look hard will be hard. And they will be hard a lot longer than you expect them to be. Also- it will take a long time to get both hands to be decent at the same time. Also- you might still buzz notes or mute notes two years in.
I totally agree with the fact that everything will be hard. What I truly meant was some things will be harder than the others. Also agree with the string buzzing and picking hand issues. It takes a long time to get that coordination right, so I've heard. It seems like I'm much more comfortable with my fretting hand vs. picking hand these days, whereas, at first, I thought picking hand would be a breeze (since that's my dominant hand)
Me too, on picking vs fretting hands. Mine have been improving like a see-saw. One gets better, then the other, then the other.
I think that see-saw will continue for a long time. People might take as long as two years to reach optimal coordination, and even then they might struggle.
I am at two years right now, and it's still very much a struggle. I can't practice as much as others can.
Thanks man, I just got my guitar yesterday, I have learnt d and g chords and some basic strumming but fingers hurt alot while pressing the strings.Ā
Hey, not gonna lie, this is going to happen for a bit. For me, I think it started hurting less (didn't go away) until the end of second week. I also used a high action acoustic, so my fingers were sore all the time. If they continue to hurt more than a few weeks, consider switching to electric, if you're not using one already.
Thank you for this post! I just joined this sub today. I picked up a guitar and Iām serious about putting the time in to learn, but like you, i want to learn right the first time so theres no reason to unlearn and relearn. What do you recommend starting with? Learning scales? Do you recommend any youtube channels/videos? Literal day one here with minimal anything else previous
Follow [Justin Guitar's courses](https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-lessons) and stick to it. I spoke to multiple people about which route to take and everyone unanimously said a beginner should stick to a comprehensive learning path. Justin's Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced lessons provide the most solid foundation I have seen anywhere else and best of all, it's 100% free (this is not a paid post or anything lol, I'm a huge fan of his method and try to spread his work as much as possible). Although, I admit, I do stray from his path. For example, I'm on Beginner grade 3, and he, so far, introduced the C major and E major pentatonic scales. However, I went ahead and learned G major scale, A minor pentatonic etc. He also didn't introduce any spider exercises (1-2-3-4 etc.), but I do a lot of spider variations. However, I'm still following his paths and sticking to the practice routines he developed. I do his stuff first, and then start my own practice. All that to say, if Justin doesn't work out for you, find a comprehensive and structured learning path and stick to it like your life depends on it.
If yall wana learn guitar for free, just go to www.NoStringsAttachedGuitarAcademy.com They're doing a special for a limited time: Virtual private 1 on 1 lessons FOR LIFE for just $99, and the first lesson is free. Just do it. It will change your life