Are you like so many other adults still chasing that childhood dream of learning to play the guitar? You may never have made the time to play guitar when you were younger, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it now. Many adults wish to learn the guitar, yet most simply feel that their chance had already past. Nothing can be further from the truth! There may be many reasons you continue to put off lessons, but age should not be one of them. Nobody's "too old" for music.
Guitar playing is not about how old you are when you start out. Learning to play is about passion, creation, and most of all enjoyment. The best part about taking lessons as an adult is that you are in control and able to learn the guitar at your own pace. By learning an instrument later on in life, you are able to focus on your love of music and really enjoy the experience.
Learning an instrument as an adult is nothing to be ashamed of. No matter your age, if music is something you are passionate about, then it is never too late to pick up the guitar.
Here are some tips to help you get started and stay on track:
Motivation is Key
While it is mostly true that younger students learn faster, age is merely a number. As an adult you are able to understand better, meaning you will be able to pick up the guitar faster than you may think.
With perseverance and hard work, learning to play the guitar is not impossible - even though it may feel like it at times.
The guitar is an instrument that demands a great deal of dedication and even a good instructor can only help you so much. You will need to make an effort to continue to practice alone even after lessons.
If you can, schedule at least three practices of 30 minutes per week. The more frequent the better, even if you don’t practice for too long. Many people also try interleaved practice, a very effective way of learning music.
Keep yourself accountable, and remember that there are several ways to keep yourself motivated so that you don't give up.
If you are a dedicated student and put in the time to practice, there is nothing that you cannot accomplish.
Age Can Be to Your Advantage
At a young age, many kids are pushed to learn an instrument as an extramural activity. Being so young, most are not even interested in the opportunity. With age, you know what you want and you have years of knowledge and experience on your side. In many ways, the added comprehension of being an adult benefits you in guitar lessons. You can use this to your advantage.
More advantages of learning the guitar as an adult:
- Adults understand the value of time and money. This means as an adult it is highly unlikely you will waste time. Instead, you'll make the most of each lesson.
- After a long day, playing the guitar can help you to relax and unwind.
- Not only do adult guitar lessons have a number of advantages, they can also be extremely rewarding.
The Psychological Effects of Music
There have been many studies over the years pointing towards the benefits of playing a musical instrument. Memory, organization, time management, and concentration are just a few of the many possible benefits.
More so, there are numerous studies that have found a direct relationship between music and happiness - just another reason why taking up an instrument could only be to your advantage.
You can literally beat stress, relieve tension, and improve your overall quality of life with the help of the guitar.
Make Time to Break Old Routines
The way in which we approach learning something new doesn’t change much from when we were kids. As we get older we are, however, we are faced with obstacles like busy schedules, work, and family commitments.
This does not mean we should let a hobby take less of a priority, especially when it can be a form of escapism from a mundane day-to-day routine.
The key is time management, and if learning to play the guitar is important to you then you will find the time no matter what.
Get the Family Involved
Family can take up the majority of our time, so why not get them involved in your musical journey? Serenade that special someone in your life and get them to even try their hand at a tune. It can be romantic and you could learn even while enjoying time with a loved one.
If you have kids, why not try having a "family lesson"? The idea of a parent engaging in a positive experience like learning how to play music with their kids is a great idea. This way you get to spend time together while learning a new skill.
You may even have friends who are also learning to play instruments just like you. By collaborating together not only will you be able to learn from one another, but you'll have so much fun while doing it.
Taking guitar lessons with your kids, friends, or companion does come with its own set of challenges. That said, having fun and learning something new in a group setting might just be the best way for you to learn.
It's Never Too Late to Learn!
More often than not we regret the things we didn't do, rather than the things that we did.
So if playing the guitar is something you have always dreamed of, do not put it off just because you think you are from the wrong generation. Whether you are in your 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's or beyond, the joy of learning an instrument is universal at any age.
So remember, it's never too late to learn to play the guitar and fulfill a lifelong dream.
About the Author: Joseph Evans
My name is Joseph Evans and I am a guitar playing, freelance writing, online teaching music lover based in Seattle, WA. Growing up in a musical family naturally lead to obtaining my Bachelor of Music (BM) in Composition & Music Theory degree, after which I taught and traveled my way across Europe for 7 years before returning back home to settle in beautiful Seattle. On a typical day, you would find me playing my guitar, pottering around in the vegetable garden, going on long hikes, reading and/or writing.