Older learner? Here's how to learn faster!

👉 Video Chapters
00:00 Welcome! Basic Concepts
01:39 What is Neuroplasticity
05:34 Failure Triggers
13:43 Exercises & Extra Tips

[justinguitar]

*This lesson is part of my Beginner Guitar Course - Grade 3. Full program here:* www.justinguitar.com/grade-3

[jchoude]

I have been doing neuroplasticity exercices for a few years now. It does work. I'm a lifelong amateur player, and 7 years ago I lost most of my picking hand capacity due to Multiple Sclerosis. Basically, I couldn't hold a pick, let alone do any hand picking. My hand is full-time numb, as if I were wearing a glove. Learning about neuroplasticity helped me recover a lot of my hand dexterity. I use a thumbpick, and I can even do some fingerpicking, albeit clumsily. My hand is still greatly diminished, it won't come back, but I taught my brain to work around it. There are simple exercices you can find here on Youtube. But let's say I'm not doing handstands, as I can barely walk anymore ;)

[jimwar]

As a retired 72 year old I can vouch for everything that Justin is saying AND his teaching approach. I’ve played mediocre acoustic most of my adult life, but my playing “took off” once I discovered Justin’s website and YouTube videos. He is unquestionably THE BEST online teacher!

[valuedhumanoid]

My 21 yr old son had a horrible TBI and we thought when he came out of his coma two weeks later he would be just unable to function. Slowly as we worked with him, his brain began the process of healing. In two years he was fully up, walking, talking, playing his X-box, etc. The things normally done on his left side, the side he injured, began to be done by the right side. Just an amazing recovery and progress. now it's been 7 years and he's about 70% of what he was. A miracle TBH. Now he's gotten back into guitar. His partial paralysis in his right hand makes it hard to hold a pick, or pick finger style. I got him a tethered pick that keeps it held in the right place and he's slowly working on it. The day to day progress is slow and painful, but he's starting to realize it's working. He can do 10x what he could at first. I put 7 gauge strings, got the action good, a nice comfortable guitar body.

[sustainablelifest]

As a SIXTY five year old learner, i found that the right guitar is critical. For me, a shorter scale and a thinner (front to back) and narrower (nut width) neck helps due to lack of flexibility. Nothing to do with "learning" per se, but there are physical limitations for some of us older folks.

[alicew]

I really appreciate the time Justin has taken to recognise and address the fact that we're not all 19-year-old guys looking to shred in 6 months. Learning when you're older is so much harder. At 48, I can remember songs I learnt when I was 15 more easily than I can remember songs I learnt last week. I have never seen anyone deal with this topic before. Thanks. x

[GrFriknApe]

Strange thinking life experiences (knowledge) have so much to do with how you learn later in life. I am 70 years old. I'm an intermediate beginner on piano (2.5) years. I taught myself to read music and play on the piano. I had that "Ah Ha" moment and realized I could play any instrument I want as long as I know where the keys are located. After a large amount of research I purchased a new acoustic electric guitar this week. I learned how to set up a guitar on YouTube. I did a complete set up, tweaked the fretboard with the truss rod, changed my strings to some softer strings (11 - 47s), lowered and measured the action, found the saddle trough was cut too big (saddle was leaning forward) and shimmed the saddle before I tuned the new strings. I know about 4 chords on the fretboard right now. Totally enjoyed this video. It gives me hope as I learn the fretboard and go through the physical pain on my fingertips (chuckles). If you're older, never and I mean NEVER think you are too old to learn how to play an instrument. Thanks for your hard work. You are appreciated.

[begoodtoyourself]

I'm a 63 yr old beginner. So far I have enjoyed Justin's lessons. Wish me luck.

[trentstroupe]

Best teacher ever! I started Mar. 3 2022. As of today I’m on module 13 and loving every single lesson! Btw…I’m 56😜🤟

[DaGSlM]

Justin, you are genuinely excited about teaching guitar and the science behind it! That’s what sets you apart from the other YouTube teachers and why time and time again, you are my number one choice.

[robinbhairam]

Interesting subject, I wish to offer hope to the over 25 year olds! - I was an average learner as a young man but once I hit 32 after I had taken up running, I became a sponge … completing a degree, Masters and Doctorate (ironically the last two I found easier than the first), you just have to learn how to learn the best way for you. I’ve since gone on to learn languages, photography and took up the guitar at 59 (I was a grade 8 drummer so obviously had significant musical knowledge) - Just have fun and don’t give up (oh and never compare yourself with others!) great discussion 😊

[kevincall]

I’m a 67 year old beginner. Learning is harder at an older age, but it is coming along. Justin’s learning process is very helpful for me. Thanks Justin.

[robertcochrane]

Hey Justin, this is a great video/lesson! It’s very interesting and has lit a fire in my mind. I’m almost 66, I started this guitar journey when I was about 50. I’m still climbing the mountain of guitar and music knowledge. You’ve planted seeds in my brain and I will update you as I move forward. I’ve been trying to learn modes and advance to playing lead and improving solo’s.
Thank you !!
✌️❤️🎸

[AmbroseB]

Wow, I have experienced this without knowing! I'm 71, learning guitar and many times have struggled learning a difficult section even slowly, then, had enough and just played something I like to finish off. Then next session tried the difficult piece again and my 1st attempt was significantly better than my previous practice, as if I had learnt how to do it better whilst not playing! Amazing. Will now have to try the one leg technique! Thanks for sharing this. 🎸☺️

[MattWagner]

Thanks, Justin. As a 55-year-old that played guitar in bands through high school college, I suffered a brain injury in my early 30s that reduced fine motor control in the right side of my body (right picking hand). Guitar became very frustrating not being able to perform at the level I was used to, and I gave up on it for 25 years. Determined to power through it, I purchased a new Tele and have been using your videos to relearn. Although a challenge between my geriatric age and brain injury, it can be done, and I’m gradually getting back to where I was by allowing my brain to re-wire the muscle memory that was lost. Much has involved just endless spider exercises and running through scales. Anyhow, your channel is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[trevorcains]

Im 72 and really keen on practicing my balance standing on each leg which I've been doing for some time. I find it totally mind-blowing that it should help me memorise my guitar practice. As a suggestion try standing on 1 leg with your eyes shut which makes balancing that much more difficult . Cheers Justin for another great video

[merrillsutherin]

Hey, Justin. A FYI for you. I used to say ‘I can’t’ especially with barre chords. My in-person teacher at the time said to never tell yourself ‘I can’t’ about anything. If you do and keep saying it, you will never do it because you have trained your brain to tell you ‘I can’t’ do this. Say, I am having trouble with this, I need to keep working on this, and so on. For example, once I stopped telling myself ‘I can’t’ do barre chords and started telling myself keep working, I finally can do them. Although, sometimes I don’t grab them fast enough, but I am working on it. Love your style and enthusiasm and the courses on the app. Thank you!

[gagmanius]

I truly have to tell you, your enthusiasm is a blessing that just makes me want to continue playing the guitar and always picking it up again and again. This topic specifically is dear to me, as I struggle with concentrating and structure (adhd person here) and it brings a lot of - frustration- with it. You’re a fantastic teacher and I want to thank you for your way of sharing things

[royvallis]

Standing on one leg, 15 minutes out from my next lesson: Thank you so much for this video; it tied some things together for me. My spouse has been studying this for years; you've tied it brilliantly to guitar practice and the frustration of adult learning. For me, I have to throw in a late start and, as I noticed that at least one other of your commenters does, negotiating neurological weakness from ms. As soon as you got to balancing exercises a major light flashed for me. Balance for many people with ms is already a constant challenge. Vertigo is a constant companion. It requires negotiation. In a pleasant (simple?) twist of fate, balancing exercises help with learning guitar just as much as learning guitar and the plasticity it both relies on and simultaneously encourages help buffer against the natural forces of aging and the no-so-natural forces of conditions like Alzheimer's and ms. The late British neurologist and musicologist Oliver Sacks (The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat, Awakenings, Musicophilia) studied the effects of music on psychology/physiology. It's a kind of symbiosis of music and movement. Thanks Justin. It is this holistic approach to learning guitar that I have been following you for more years than either us would like to talk about. Peace.

[cjtxgirl]

Balancing really does work! I'm a traumatic brain injury survivor & I know I could be so much worse than I am but this balancing technique to activate neuroplasticity definitely helps me. Even my confidence when I play my guitar is better. Playing with my eyes closed feels more natural also😃. Thanks for this tip!!!