Are You Too Old To Start Learning Guitar?

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The rise of the YouTube guitar hero, tons of young guitar players with mind blowing technique has made this question more current than ever.
Behind this question hides and unhealthy thought and that is comparison with others
I think the question you should ask is: What is your goal when picking up the guitar?
When you are certain age you have so much more to say musically than a 12 year old, due to life experience. What I mean is that you are not too old to picking up an instrument, it's so much fun and really enriches your life!

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[BLAKEG]

I didn't start until age 40 and have been playing out professionally for 10 years now!

[billproctor]

I'm 68 years old and will be getting my guitar next week. Always wanted to learn but was always taking care of other things. It's like starting painting. Doodled all my life. Finally started painting in my 30's. Sold 5 paintings. Love music and determined to learn. Wish me luck.

[downhill]

I started at 67 without the "Games". I did so as a direct response to the availability of Youtube. My first start was to try to master Classical. Man that didn't work at all! I moved on to Electric with no real music genre in mind. I am now into Jazz and music theory. I think I've found my comfort zone now. I really have no plans for public performances at all. It's all about the intellectual and technical challenge for me. I can say unequivocally at the age of 76, this has been the best journey in my life!

[Manupday]

Hell no. Started in my late 50s 2 yrs ago and now jamming out and gigging in bars and clubs. LOVE IT! 🤘😎

[BobCrosley]

Great video and reading the comments, I'm inspired. I picked up the guitar a couple months ago at 48. I see these amazing guitar players who say they've been playing 25 years. And my first thought was, "By the time I've played 25 years, I'll be 73!" And then it hit me. In 25 years, I'll be 73 no matter what. Better to be 73 and a great guitar player, than 73 wishing I had started back when I was 48.

[danr]

Started 8 months ago at 64. I am soon to be 65 and just bought my first Martin. Fantastic instruments. "My goal"? pick up chicks.

[ronvanbuskirk]

I started six years ago at 72 and am limited by my arthritis but no one is too old. Just don't expect to be another Keith Urban. I'm still taking lessons from a lifelong musician who still does gigs on weekends. Best thing I ever did for myself.

[boyzrulethawld]

Hey guys I'm only 23, and feel a little silly after seeing all the comments by you silver foxes! Thanks for your honesty, bless up and enjoy ur jamming :)

[clarencejanjimenez]

Love this. Im 24, and i envy my friends who learned the instrument in their childhood. Thanks for this eye opener. Doing my best saving money to buy my first electric

[pinkiewerewolf]

Thanks for the inspiration. I'm 52 and my first guitar should be delivered today.

[georgevanwin]

I started at 15.  I'm now 73, and I'm still crap!

[dougp]

Started up with guitar at 53. 4 years now & still going strong; enjoying the journey immensely. I'm most certainly a better music student in my 50's than I would have been in my teens or 20's. More patient with myself; and clearly my "sonic palette" is more open and inquisitive than it was earlier!

[drdbailey]

Good point, David. I'm 67 and started a year and a half ago. I was terrified to start, but I worked through it. You are right about goals too, my goal is changing right now, although I'm not sure what it is yet. It's a transformation. Btw, I absolutely love it, and it adds inspiration to my life. Thanks.

[kassandraminer]

Well I'm 28 and just bought a left handed guitar.. Im so ready wish me luck.. Yall so inspiring..

[rowley]

69 nine and just starting to learn play and repair and setting up starter guitars. really enjoying it.

[TyphonKrazilec]

"Inside every old man there is a young man wondering what happened."
;)

[JazzgutsVGvanKampen]

David, thanks for the topic, my whole life I've spent playing guitar and I still practice every day, never a dull moment man. I've listened to so many players in jazz and blues, played many things by ear from recordings. I never compared myself to someone else just worked hard each day. Man I'm from the pre- internet period and remember I finally got a jazz book from Mickey Baker on jazz guitar, I worked my balls off writing out those progressions, there wasn't much around man besides my bash of records. Now I'm flabbergasted by all presented here on the tube, it might even be an overload. I know one thing, keep your motivation no matter what and play from your heart and soul, that's my message, greetings Vic.

[Erik-cvtm]

"If you are interested in playing music it means that you have that something to give to the world"

Inspiring and motivating. Thanks!

[IngwazViking]

I'm 28 and only started couple months ago. Your video and the comments have helped me a lot

[billbeams]

Started at about 35. I'm 62 now and play regularly. I'm still getting better. Your right, it's a journey. I say look for a feel or a groove more than trying to copy someone note for note.