7 Tips for Older Beginners | Tom Strahle | Easy Guitar | Basic Guitar (VIDEO)
From this video…
Tip #1 – Practice 5 minutes a day (to start)
Tip #2 – Lighter Strings/Lower Action
Tip #3 – Toughen up the finger pads
Tip #4 – Keep the guitar out where you can get to it
Tip #5 – Warm up
Tip #6 – Practice efficiently
Tip #7 – Keep it simple to fight discouragement
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Tips for Beginner Guitar Players: How to Get Started
If you’re an older beginner looking to start playing the guitar, it’s essential to have the right mindset and plan in place. Although many tips are useful for all ages, specific advice is particularly helpful if you’re starting later in life. In this article, we’ll discuss several tips for beginner guitar players.
Firstly, pick up a guitar for five minutes a day. Many older beginners have jobs, families, and other commitments, making it challenging to set aside a lot of time for practice. The five-minute rule is the idea of just picking up a guitar for five minutes every day. It’s better than picking up a guitar for 30 minutes once a week, and before you know it, that five minutes can turn into ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes of practice.
Another helpful tip for beginners is to consider string gauge. Lighter strings are easier to play, so beginners may want to try nines or tens for electric guitars or extra-light tens for acoustic guitars. Lowering the action of the guitar can also make playing easier, even if it buzzes a little. While you’re getting started, you don’t need to worry too much about tone; the goal is just to enjoy playing.
If you’re just starting out, your fingertips may hurt as you develop calluses. One way to toughen up your fingers is to dig your thumbnail into the pads of your fretting hand. This can help to speed up the process of building calluses and reducing finger pain.
Finally, it’s easy to buy a guitar stand, which can keep your guitar easily accessible in your home. Having your guitar out in the open can remind you to pick it up and play it.
In conclusion, these tips are not only useful for older beginners but can also be beneficial for any player of any age. Even if you can only spare five minutes a day, consistent practice can help you improve your skills and become a better player. By taking steps to make playing more accessible and comfortable, you’ll be well on your way to playing the guitar like a pro.
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The guitar is a 1965 Gibson Folksinger BTW. It's missing the lower pick guard. It originally came with two, an upper and a lower probably because (say it with a crotchety old man voice) "these kids today are using these things called plectrums and scratching up the top of the guitar. So let's glue two big pieces of plastic on the top to protect it."
Tom, brilliant video and spot on.
did not touch a guitar for some 45 years, and instead of driving the bus with the band decided to learn to play properly this time so next time around will be sitting in the back.
as I started going through Guitar Aerobics, I noticed that my hand position was simply wrong, leftover from no lessons in the past, Therefore went to music school to take classical lessons,
Why Classical?
The assumption is that, when someone masters the advanced classical pieces, Led Zeppelin will be a piece of cake, technically at least.
And indeed, we are walking up and down the neck until I get my fingers relaxed. will take a few months, but will be worth it.
As a side note, having an electric guitar has the distinct advantage that practicing is possible without disturbing people that want to watch TV or talk on the phone. Will add a headphone once the tone gets important.
My amp and acoustic come out when the house is empty 😉
Let's go for it!
Relevant video here, https://youtu.be/qzWWuCxojkc
if that is against the youtube rules, please delete.
V.
The fingernail in the pad trick – I thot it was just me! I've used all of Toms tips here to good effect. In particular, keeping your expectations reasonable, note your problem areas and focus on 1 or 2 at a stretch. Start with winning small battles. It can quickly become more fun and you slowly build the skill set to take on more challenging techniques. Keep at it, you'll get there.
All great tips. Thanks! That old Gibsy sounds great.
Thanks man I’m 51 and just bought an electric guitar, I’m on the right path for learning, but your tips encouraged me thumbs up!
Thanks this helps me believe i can do it ,,, 50 years and strumming
I am 65 n don’t know anything about Music but I bored just retired n I have always loved the guitar am I too old n with Not Knowing Anything about to read written Music ?????
hi. can you show open chord transitions for beginners please great stuff here.
Thanks for posting this. Six of the tips are spot on. But I'm hesitant regarding the advice to set a goal practice time of just/even 5 minutes. Yes, it could become 10 minutes, or 20 or longer. But just as easily – perhaps more easily – it can become zero. There is no substitute for practice, practice, practice. Google something along the lines of "Over 60 mastered the guitar." The search results are pretty much blank. The question then remains, is anyone picking this up for the first time at the age of 60 investing sufficient time in it? Or is it simply impossible – or highly unlikely – for someone that age to achieve meaningful accomplishment in this field if picking it up for the first time?
Probably the most frequent tale in skill acquisition in any field at any age – music, fly-fishing, writing, cooking and so on is that despite years of dabbling in it, not much skill is acquired. An equally common story is that a new skill was "tried" for awhile, but then given up when the modest amount of time invested didn't pay off. If a person really wishes to become proficient at… whatever… then a commitment must be made to set aside time for lots of meaningful practice.That would be my seventh tip. But it's just a theory. I can't seem to find examples of people over 60 who have taken up guitar for the first time and done much with it. I do know this: Sporadic bouts of 5, 10, 15 or even 30 minutes a day – with days off in between – are unlikely to lead one very far.
I just bought a Les Paul. My wife will kill me if I don’t play it!
I keep 4-6 guitars laying around so there's no excuse as to why I'm not practicing. I'm cleaning out my old office/storage space this week to set up a practice room with several guitars my pedals and various amps. That way I can quit waking my wife up at odd hours of the night setting everything up for an hours worth of practice. Definitely helps having your own space to get away and not be distracted to get your practice in.
Thanks
Hi Tom – just been watching your video. The advice you have given has been so helpful. I have left it late in life to learn. I have changed my routine of playing and instead of going straight into a song, I am going through all the chords which give me problems and then I tackle the song. All you have said is so true – five minutes a day, perhaps a little more but this rule is so helpful. Thank you so much.
Great suggestions. Older learner here, I’m gonna check these out. Thank you.
48 years young and, until a few weeks ago, haven't picked up a guitar for over 30 years!
My 7 year old daughter got a horrendous pink acoustic monstrosity off her auntie for Xmas and I've been unable to put it down!
Last week I walked into a local music shop and did three cool things: I bought a vintage Les Paul; supported a small local independent trader; and formed a family rock band with my daughter. My wife thinks I'm having a midlife crisis, my daughter thinks it's cool, and I'm loving learning new licks!
Yes men have man caves. You said woman cave. Hahaha. It's called a kitchen.
Great song to start is Hold Your Head Up by Argent. I started picking the verse and chording the chorus then I learnt to chord the whole song. Check youtube for the easy ways to chord this song to avoid the demon F….You rally feel like you accomplish something when you hear a familiar song after a week.
Thanks for the tips. Am 46 and been learning for 2months now. Can do all of wish you were here by Floyd and am addicted to picking up the guitar now. Thanks again for the tips
I’m 62 and now have time to learn an instrument, which is on my bucket list. Where do I go to learn cords/and music verbiage for the electric guitar. Sandy