Am I too old?

[KeMe]

Hi Barry, welcome to the Delcamp forum.
You're in good company here. There of a lot of us who have started later. I started classical guitar when I was 61 and I have loved every minute that I've spent with my guitar. Like you, I know that I'll never become a concert guitarist, but nonetheless it thrills my heart when I play a piece that has come together for me. If someone doesn't like my playing, they can jolly well go somewhere else. I plan to play until my hands will play no more, then I'll cry for a while and get up and go listen to others play.
I've got it all figured out, if I teach others to play the classical guitar, then when I can't play anymore, they can play for me.
Barry, I would like to invite you to introduce yourself to the other members here.

Musically yours,
Kay

[troy_kimpin]

Cass Couvelas,

never have too old or late in music

depend on your heart and passion

if you no give up music, music will never give up you too

[Cass Couvelas]

My mind is sharper, my sense of hearing has been heightened and I have regained dexterity in both hands.

This is good news. I think it's fabulous that your hands have regained dexterity.

What captures my imagination is the notion that tackling this instrument actually keens the mind.

Does it? Does it hone ones ability to do anything other than play classical guitar? Does it make one's brain more capable of playing chess, or doing mental arithmetic, or trying to remember why the heck you just went upstairs to get something, and what on earth it was?

Or does it merely make you fit for the particular purpose at that moment of playing that particular piece of music on that particular instrument?

Without cloning myself – and then assessing the abilities of my cloned, non-guitar-playing, self alongside my original, guitar-obsessed, self – I can't see how I will ever know the answer. Is the brain function that is self-evidently greatly improved by practice of this very tricky instrument only useful for further practice of the very same instrument and nothing else?

I look forward to suddenly understanding how long it takes to empty a swimming pool of a certain volume, with a plughole of a certain circumference (been bothering me, that one, since I was 12). I suspect, though, that it's not going to happen. Nor is completing the Times crossword in short order. . .

[ssp65]

Hi Cass,

I'm glad you started this thread because it made me realize that I'm not alone in starting CG in middle age. I'm 45 and have been at it for about a year. I'm no good but I really enjoy it. One of the things that motivates me to keep going is the thought of being able to sit quietly in my later years and play the guitar. The body will be too old for the more active pursuits I enjoy now but I'll have my guitar and I'll have those peaceful moments.

Steve

[GeoffB]

Hi Steve, welcome to the forum. Could I invite you to introduce yourself here?

Geoff

[19thcenturyguitarist]

YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD!!!! I have students from age 8 to 78! really. My oldest student who is in his late 70's is now playing, (after 2 years of study) Francisco Tarrega's Lagrima, Prelude in E major, and Romanza. We are currently working on Capricho Arabe. He has it memorized and we are just working the bugs out. Anyways, if you love something like the guitar please follow through on it! Dont let age stop you or anything else stop you if you enjoy it! Plus the guitar is just so beautiful.

[Michael Young]

Hi Cass,
Along with everybody else, welcome to the forum. I don't think you are ever too old to start something new as long as you enjoy it. I started a year ago with my teenage daughter at the age of 51. I'll never be Segovia but I have enjoyed it every bit of the way. Let's show these youngsters what it's all about!! :0)
Michael

[Ledhand75]

Hi Cass,

You are absolutely not too old to take up a new instrument. Luckily, there is a vast amount of appreciation for the Classical Guitar in England, with many first rate instructors and Guitar societies. I would recommend that you do a Google search, or visit your local Guitar shop to find out when local groups meet. If you do so, you will find many members your age (our age) or older, to inspire you. Getting competent instruction will be especially helpful, as proper technique goes a long way in avoiding injury. Above all, play for the joy of it, and remember, it's not a competition.

Cheers,

Gary

[sketchanderase]

Hello, I can't wait until I've had nearly that much experience! I'm 15 and have been playing electric and acoustic for about a year, I am getting into classical guitar, and one of my "idols" is a family friend who has been playing for such a long time. He is amazing with a guitar! Or banjo, or multiple other instruments. But I have another person I look up to in a similar situation to you. They have only been playing a short time, but are wonderful musicians. They told me once that if you have a drive for it, you can excel at it, and I took that to heart. I am learning multiple instruments at the moment, but believe I may never be nearly as good as some of the people I play and can only hope to live up to some small comparison to them. I am teaching myself for the most part and wonder how much better off I'd be with a teacher, though I have time and motivation. I look forward to the future and possibilities and will take any wisdom from others gladly.

[Curt Lancaster]

WOW! This is so encouraging, to hear from folks who have truly discovered "IT", that "It" I'm referring to is the satisfaction we have discovered later in our lives [I am 64]. In my life, I was a trombone player at an early age and became proficient. This proficiency came thru deligience, hard work, motivation, etc. A big disapointment in my life was when I QUIT.. as life would have it......Fast forward many years later, discovering the CG has once again allowed me to express my passion for making music! I believe that once you are a musician you will always remain one. The CG has become my passion. OH MY GOD YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD ! NEVER! Curt

[lagartija]

I am learning multiple instruments at the moment, but believe I may never be nearly as good as some of the people I play and can only hope to live up to some small comparison to them. I am teaching myself for the most part and wonder how much better off I'd be with a teacher, though I have time and motivation. I look forward to the future and possibilities and will take any wisdom from others gladly.

Sketchanderase, I tried to teach myself for about two weeks... and realized that if I had guidance I would make much faster progress. I have made amazing progress with a teacher's help. He made sure that I stayed on track and properly developed my playing mechanism. I cannot emphasize enough to you how much difference it has made in my progress. If you can manage it, find a good teacher of CG. If you have the motivation and drive to play, you will advance so much faster with a teacher.

[nlcannon]

Hello people,
I'm 16 and love classical guitar! I have learned some from school and I want to take lessons from the royal conservatory but I worry I'm too old. My friends allready have their grade 10 piano and violin, and I have not taken any RC classes. What should I do?

[GeoffB]

Hi nlcannon, welcome to the forum. Too old at 16? That puts a different perspective on the discussion so far!
I'll leave it to others to comment, but in the meantime could I invite you to start your own introductory topic and tell us a bit more? You can get some ideas of things to say here.

Best wishes,

Geoff

[adydye]

You're never too old!
AD

[Sean W]

Hello people,
I'm 16 and love classical guitar! I have learned some from school and I want to take lessons from the royal conservatory but I worry I'm too old. My friends allready have their grade 10 piano and violin, and I have not taken any RC classes. What should I do?

Yep. you're too old dude. 16 is just over the hill kid...might as well pack it up and go. (just being ornery if you couldn't tell...lol)

Let me tell you I would imagine there are scores of people that would LOVE to be in your shoes right now. My advice is to not worry about being too young or too old....just play the guitar if that is truly what you want to do. If you ever DO come across some idiot that tells you that you are too old, pay them no attention.

Stephane Grappelli lived to be 88 (almost 89) and toured and more importantly PLAYED up until his death. I saw him at age 86 and MY GOD was it inspiring (and it didn't have anything to do with his age....)

Here's hoping the best for you kid...now go practice.

Sean