Too Old To Learn Guitar? - Never! I'll tell you why!

I'm 68 and I'm trying to play beautiful music of my soul before I die. Some think I'm an old fool, they may be right, but I will keep trying. To bring something of beauty into existence is my final struggle of this earthly sojourn. Thank you for the encouragement.

So true... I started playing at 51, 4 years later I've never been happier. 😎👍

I am 62 and have been playing for a year; I play daily and love it. I tried to learn in my early 20's, but there were too many distractions.

I've been playing over 50 yrs. The problem is everyone thinks you have to shred or play lead. That is so wrong. A good rhythm player that knows the chords is the most important part of the music

I started learning guitar at the age of 40 - May 8, 2018 to be precise. 422 days later and I have not missed a day of practice. I can play about a dozen songs, and I play barre chords. Couple of months ago I got a guitar teacher to start learning blues guitar. I’ve uploaded dozens of progress videos to YouTube along the way. I now own 3 guitars - 2 acoustic guitars and a Squire Classic Vibe Telecaster. I’m having an enormous amount of fun, and it’s good to see my progress, since I started from scratch. If I can do it, anyone can.

Ha, just found this….Started playing at age 76 and now 77. It is a slow go with arthritic hands but I enjoy every minute. Learning all about the guitar, music theory. Really admire those that can play this wonderful instrument. I play for myself, (no one else would want to hear it) 😍

About the speed of learning: I started 3 years ago at age 47. I am attending guitar lessons and can hear other students to compare their progress and also talked to the teacher about this. While younger people should learn faster, most do actually learn slower because how fast you learn the guitar is determined by your passion and focus. Man I asked the hell out of my teacher in the first 2 years and he was not used to that because most of his students were just passively trying to soak it up. Younger people have the ability to learn faster, older people have the ability to learn smarter. It all comes down to passion and practice time at all ages!

I may be too old for some things, but I'm starting up with guitar lessons tomorrow!

At 61 I bought a guitar. I was practicing every day until somehow the practice became playing. Now I play guitar. At a simple level, but it’s mostly music! My mom thinks I’m pretty good. In fact, it was my neighbor who lives upstairs who told me I’m playing rather than practicing. My secret is…I’m sticking with songs until I learn them, I’m teaching myself to read music and Tab and I practice about 2-4 hours a day. (I had liver cancer, part of my liver had to be removed, thank God I have the guitar to keep me busy! ) Sometimes I just hold my guitar with my lefty gently doing bar chords. No pressure at first, just allowing the fingers to stretch, after awhile I add pressure. That seems to be preventing pain from the barre chords.

I started at 65 and 1 1/2 years later, I can play most of the favorite songs I listened to while growing up. Granted, there are a lot of areas to improve (e.g., barre chords, the speed of Travis picking, etc.) and so many skills/techniques to learn, but the joy of seeing myself making incremental progress is priceless. Just don't be too hard on yourself and practice for an hour or so every day, it will do wonders to yourself. Better than meditation!

I'm 67 and been playing cowboy chords for years, however in the last 4yrs I've learned all the major scales and relative minors, the caged system, the mixolydian scale (lots of fun) and some favorite counrty and southern rock!! All after age 60. Let me add this, the more you learn the easier the learning becomes!!

Started learning at 57, three years ago. Always have a guitar sitting somewhere nearby, picking it up throughout the day. Always learning something new. Could not be happier!

At 60 years old I got shot in right wrist .The only bones that weren't broken were the index and middle, doctors said I would have a claw for life. Sooo I got a 5string banjo and learnt Scruggs style to prove them wrong. I practice frailing now and can play along with any guest or grandkids and we all laugh and have fun. Thanks for the encouragement.

I’m 66 but played since I was 12 and still have the same Silver tone acoustic guitar I got from Christmas. When I got married at 20 yeah I was stupid , my dad came by and saw my guitars and told me “ You’re still playing those things ?!! ...grow up ! “ sadly I believed him . I didn’t know it at the time but playing helped me feel better after work , I started smoking cigarettes and drinking to relieve the stress. At 27 I became a single dad with two boys . Talk about having more stress , I told my boys you want to learn how to play a guitar? ? YEAH ! ! was their reply , in three hours I was teaching them . I gave up drinking and cigarettes..no more stress . Now when we get together at family functions we are the entertainment lol . We all play numerous instruments , guitars, drums , lap steel and resonator guitars ( which is easy and great for people with arthritis “ , mandolin, harmonica and play rock , country, blues ,my youngest plays jazz , and four of my grand kids play . You’re never to old to learn , they’re lots of good starter guitars to start off with that are under $100.00 . I recommend something around $150.00-$200.00 range though . You can do it , I taught my self to play by listening to records ... now a days there’s YouTube, DVDS and computer to help you learn . DO IT ! ! 😎

Excellent. I am a late bloomer at 61. Really dug in the last couple years. Finger exercises works great. I figure I only got 30 to 40 years to get it done...

67, and finally getting back into something that I began at 13, but drifted away from in my busy late 20s. Your video has encouraged me to go for it and to persevere. Thanks, buddy.

Like a lot of people on here, I've been guitar obsessed ever since I can remember and always said to myself I'll learn one day. At 53 I bought a guitar for the first time with determination to learn how to play, I'm now 55 and I would say I'm at intermediate level and can't get enough of it. I should have done this years ago but thought I was being ridiculous and it was for the younger generation! My advice is don't worry about any of that go out get a guitar and start playing, you won't regret it.

Started at 39yrs old, been playing 5yrs now, and I don't plan on stopping. I still do lessons weekly to continue to improve. Start at 5, 15, 45, or 65, just start.

I am 26 and I thought I am too old .. Seeing the comments I guess I will not delay it any further .. Thank you all ..

Why would someone give this video a thumbs down? Great video Chris, but as encouraging as the video is, I think the comments here from your viewers are even more encouraging.