Am I too old?

[Dragonbones]

I started playing at 44, 5 years ago.

About the same here, around 44-45, about 1.5 years ago. Very hard to count, really. But you're never too old to start, and the whole point (as with anything) is to have fun with it, no matter what age you are.

[Ruark]

According to Malcolm Gladwell, 10,000 hours is the length of time one might expect to need to spend to get to a decent level of proficiency.

I'm 60 years old and just now getting back to playing. I really disagree with the above statement. It might be true in a technical sense, but just having "proficiency" doesn't make you a musician (watches audience draw back in horror). Of course, you have to be able to basically play the instrument, but beyond that, remember what "music" really is, and remember its core function of conveying emotion, like all forms of art. Sure, it's impressive to see 4-finger chord changes and 32nd-note runs, but when somebody can play a simple, single-note phrase with such exquisiteness that it brings tears to your eyes, that also is music, even more so, I venture to say, than the "virtuoso" who sounds like he's trying to rip the strings off the guitar.

Play the guitar for its own sake, for its beauty and emotion. Please, please don't get caught up in this obsession with "difficulty" that devours so many musicians.

- Ruark

[Cass Couvelas]

Of course, you have to be able to basically play the instrument, but beyond that, remember what "music" really is, and remember its core function of conveying emotion, like all forms of art.

Ruark, to an extent I agree with you. But not entirely.

Technique is art. The Greeks got it right (techne). Technique is at the bottom of so much that is truly beautiful. Take ballet. Beautiful, incandescent performances aren't possible without mastery of technique. Without it, a performance is merely an intimation, a shadow, of what is possible.

It's the same with the guitar. I know that I can't express the full emotion that I feel when playing a piece of music, or do justice to that glorious hollow piece of shaped wood under my arm, without that lightness and sureness of touch that isn't going to let me – or the music, or the guitar – down.

So I will work extremely hard to make sure that the tools of the trade are there within my grasp, ready to be called upon when I need them.

It's the huge potential for beauty within it that staggers me. By 'it', I mean that 'trinity' made up of the music, the instrument, and me, the player. It's a big responsibility. And I'm up for it.

And so, back to my conversation with Tárrega's 'Adelita'. Not 'difficult' - just notes on a page. It's what I do with them that counts.

[Ruark]

Of course, you have to be able to basically play the instrument, but beyond that, remember what "music" really is, and remember its core function of conveying emotion, like all forms of art.

Ruark, to an extent I agree with you. But not entirely.
Technique is art.
And so, back to my conversation with Tárrega's 'Adelita'. Not 'difficult' - just notes on a page. It's what I do with them that counts.

Certainly, one should not focus excessively on one at the expense of the other. I think many expert guitarists would do well to take a few minutes during each practice session to go back to a simple single-note melody and see how much emotion they can wring out of it. It can be a surprising exercise.

Tarrega's Adelita is beautiful. It's really interesting to go to YouTube and listen to different people playing it. Sometimes you can hardly tell they're playing the same piece!

- Ruark

[timtom24]

Just as a footnote, my aunt started playing her first musical instrument in her late forties, and now holds grade 8 in violin and flute (and teaches both), and directs a choir. It's what inspired me to take up guitar in my thirties. Best of luck.

[jessyquedens]

Well, I sure hope not, because I'm 67. What's more, I split practice time between guitar, harp and banjo. Mind you, I started guitar in my late teens, but I've gone many years without playing before I started again. I look at it this way: I'm not in a competition with anybody but myself, if that, and anything I accomplish is good. What I care most about is how playing the guitar (yes, and harp and banjo) makes me feel.

[Jim Stewart]

I just bought a guitar and am 69. I haven't touched a musical instrument seriously for about 50 years and have spent the last few months surfing the web and getting up to speed on some of the free lessons out there. I am amazed at how quickly some of that old knowledge comes back and so far have found the guitar is a heck of a lot of fun. This is a hobby, I don;t expect to become an expert - the fingers shake a little too much for that. You are never too old.

[Cass Couvelas]

I haven't touched a musical instrument seriously for about 50 years.

Great! For me it was 43 years. Re-learning notation is certainly a challenge, I find, but time will crack that one.

Someone asked me the other day when it was that I practised. I had to stop and think for a moment. Well, I don't really 'practise' as such. I play at every possible opportunity, and if that's practising, then so be it. But somehow to call it such makes it seem a chore, which it most certainly isn't! Probably a legacy from my pre-teen childhood days when the regime was a strict half an hour a day at the piano - utterly grim!

[Jim Stewart]

One of the best tips I got so far was to buy a guitar stand and leave my guitar out where I could see it and get at it easily. I am amazed how many times I pick it up for half an hour or so and pluck away and just enjoy the sound. So, practice hasn't been a problem so far.

[andre66]

I just had my first lesson and my instructor told me his oldest student is 80 years old,he started playing when he was 72.

His reason for learning how to play was the same as mine, wanting to learn how to play before it was to late. His case is much more urgent than mine however, i'm 44.

[Non Tabius]

The adavantage of being a guitar old boy is that as the 60 gets nearer the less I sleep during the night and instead
of worring about the natural thing of less sleep,I can now take the CG which is a lovely soft instrument and practice to hell and back and not worry about disturbing the folks with bum notes applicable to other instruments.So I have the advantage of time which I never had in the old days.Thank goodness I took to the CG about 10 yrs ago,now I dont have to worry about still trying to play Smoke On The Water or Satisfaction or House Of The Rising Sun ,if I am spared ,turn 80.

[LizNicks]

Just as a footnote, my aunt started playing her first musical instrument in her late forties, and now holds grade 8 in violin and flute (and teaches both), and directs a choir. It's what inspired me to take up guitar in my thirties. Best of luck.

Timtom - this "footnote" of yours - it's inspired me as well. I just picked up CG a few months ago (although I've played piano since I was a child). I feel so driven to learn this instrument ... I've fallen in love, quite simply. And I feel tremendously foolish at times for devoting what seems to be an inordinate amount of time to a "mid life hobby". Thank you for sharing this story of your aunt.

[scotthtaylor]

I'll add my two cents.

I played folk guitar and about a year of classical in high school and college. Then put the guitar on the shelf for 20 years. Two years ago I sold the folk guitar and bought a CG. I'm 51 now, so pretty close in age to you Cass.

After two years, I'm starting to play some of the pieces that I love to listen to: Villa-Lobos, Tarrega, Bach, etc. Just started on Villa-Lobos' Gavotta-Choro. It's pretty tough, but I'm fumbling my way through it. I can't wait to get home every day and play. I love it.

Only problem I have is I've been a computer jockey for 25 years. I've developed Carpal Tunnel, and have been having some real problems with tingling and numbness in my hands. Doc tells me I'm starting to lose some muscle in my left hand. I'm going in for some tests next month, and depending on what they find, there's a real possibility I might need surgery. My doc is a guitarist, and has operated on a number of musicians who (he says) play better now than before the surgery.

Did the guitar contribute to my problems? Or am I just getting old? Personally I think a little of both, but more likely a lot of many years behind a keyboard did me in. It sure won't make me quit. I know I'll never play to the level I'd like. But I think that's the beauty of this. No matter how good we get, there's always some new piece that challenges us, or some player we'd like to play as well as. I think the key is to not get frustrated trying to be as good as someone who's been playing for 20 years.

My grandfather played the mandolin like a maniac until he died at 82. I hope to play way past when I'm peeing in my diaper. I'll play for the other old fogies in the nursing home!

Best of luck to you!

[briancorll]

Too old at the age of 54 ? Heck no ! I'm 58 and just getting started. Forget about your age and just go at it. It will keep you young, thinking and flexible, not to mention having a lot of fun as well as some frustration.

Brian

[briancorll]

Cass,
There is such a thing as an "adult prodigy". You never know if you might be one until you try. I'm 58 and currently spend 6 to 8 hours per day in study and practice. I have never formally studied music (I was an art and drama major) so I'm teaching myself sight-reading and basic theory. Every day another flash bulb goes off in my head and I suddenly understand something. I should be in my studio painting, but I can't tear myself away from the three nylon-string guitars I've purchased over the last three months. Goodbye to all of my steel-string axes ! Can you still play into very advanced age ? Sure - Segovia did it and while they're not classical players look at Doc Watson and BB King. Well into their 80's. They haven't lost much, if anything, and Doc even has his major handicap. If he could conquer the instrument, so can I. The only requirement is perseverance.
Brian