View Full Version : Too late to start playing an instrument?
Hey AC,
I've been thinking about learning how to play the electric/acoustic guitar for a long time. Im 18 years old and have never played an instrument before. So I have no experience and knowledge AT ALL. Money and time is a problem also so I do not want to invest too much. So should I do it anyway? Buy an electric/acoustic guitar and take lessons?
Reefscape
11-26-2007, 3:50 AM
My opinion is that its never too late to learn something new...Your 18, your still very young, the world is your oyster...go for it i would say...
Niko
echoofformless
11-26-2007, 4:07 AM
You're asking this at 18? That is an age when lots of people begin playing an instrument.
lol i thought they start playing earlier, like 13 and under.
Reefscape
11-26-2007, 4:12 AM
Your never to old to do something new ;)
janewalsh11
11-26-2007, 4:12 AM
My opinion is that its never too late to learn something new...Your 18, your still very young, the world is your oyster...go for it i would say...
Niko
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif
I totally agree http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif
I find it funny that the twins of one of Australia's successful pop bands (The Veronicas, they're not my cup of tea, but lots of tweenie boppers like them, go figure) first picked up a guitar at eighteen, now they're multi-millionaires... my brother started playing aucoustic when he was seventeen, he plays it all the time and it's one of his favourite ways to wind down. I'm eighteen too, I'm trying to learn the harmonica and the piano and I haven't played an instrument before.
Cheech
11-26-2007, 9:06 AM
I started playing when i was about 22.
Best advice I can give you is, buy a cheapo guitar, and play the heck out of it. only after you have some experience, and you feel comfortable enough handling a guitar, you should go out and look into purchasing your "dream guitar"... There are many different ones out there, so to avoid spending money foolishly, it'll be a good idea to only do so once you know what you want...
in my opinion, you shouldn't start lessons right away. The first few weeks of learning guitar were the hardest for me. Just being able to hold the guitar, strum it, pluck those strings, hold down a chord.. First, you should buy a very basic beginner book teaching you basic chords. you should practise those chords, get your fingers used to the idea of holding a guitar... (your fingers are gonna hurt, you'll probably get a little discouraged too. ) But after a couple of weeks of that, you'll eventually feel comfortable playing some chords, which will enable you to play along to many songs.
That's when, in my opinion, you should start your lessons.
So go for it, have fun, and if you need any help at all with anything, shoot me a PM..
It's a great hobby!! Enjoy it!!!
Reefscape
11-26-2007, 9:27 AM
I started playing when i was about 22.....
It's a great hobby!! Enjoy it!!!
Hmmm..Were electric guitars invented back then???
Sploke
11-26-2007, 9:32 AM
hahah niko..
i started playing bass when i was about 16, so i've bene playing for about 10 years now, and have never taken a lesson. The only advantage I see would be a better knowledge of the instrument, being able to read music, etc. I can read tab (anyone can), and pretty much play everything by ear, so its not that big a deal to me. I agree with cheech, try and figure things out on your own, no sense in paying someone hundreds of dollars to teach you what you can teach yourself anyway. Once you have some basic chords down, I think lessons would be more enjoyable anyway.
Cheech
11-26-2007, 9:41 AM
Hmmm..Were electric guitars invented back then???
Man, I must say, in my 29 years of life, that is the first "you're getting old" shot anyone's ever thrown at me!!!!
Niko, I think you just scarred me for life!!!!
lol.. you know what that means.. . . . :devil::devil::devil:
Reefscape
11-26-2007, 9:42 AM
Man, I must say, in my 29 years of life, that is the first "you're getting old" shot anyone's ever thrown at me!!!!
Niko, I think you just scarred me for life!!!!
lol.. you know what that means.. . . . :devil::devil::devil:
Oh no.......
I think cheech has exactly the right idea.
One of the most frustrating times in learning guitar is when you tend to have some grasp of the theory but you don't have the phyiscal aptitude/skillset to actually apply it. I taught myself piano & keyboards so had good practical grasp of chords & chord progressions but when I first picked up a guitar it was a long while before I got fingers nimble enough to play much of anything.
If you're short on time & money get a cheap guitar and a book of songs that you already know which has chord diagrams...strum through them (you'll get a real kick when you start recognising bits of what you're playing). If you find yourself progressing you may consider taking lessons - one on one would generally be best. You may in fact find that you are happy with your progress on your own and keep learning like that. Some good books to try are those three-chord trick compilations.
But its a great hobby, I think you should definitely give it a shot if you have half an inclination to do so.
johnlarson66
11-26-2007, 9:51 AM
I read the question in the post and clicked "Yes", then saw the question on the poll. Oops.
Yes, you should get a guitar and take lessons.
Grins
11-26-2007, 10:45 AM
My son plays bass guitar. He taught himself when he was 15 although he had been playing clarinet and bass clarinet since he was 11. It helped him to understand music theory but the instruments are obviously different. What he did was buy a Fender starter kit. It comes with the guitar, amp, etc. and is a modest investment. It allowed him to have a decent yet very basic guitar and amp and to see if it was something he wanted to continue. Before long he upgraded his amp, his case and his guitar. They are all huge leaps in quality above the starter Fender but he still has those and friends will use them when over.
Sploke
11-26-2007, 12:20 PM
I did the same thing, Grins. My first bass (which I still play mostly) was a used Yamaha, gpot it for 150 bucks, and a tiny practice amp. I'm now (finally) starting to look for a better quality instrument with some nice sound, and just bought a 150w Crate amp (which I looooooove).
kuhliloach
11-26-2007, 6:19 PM
Your never to old to do something new ;)
theres always expeptions niko...
They do say you can't teach an old dog new tricks but bkw isn't old
Plecosterone
11-26-2007, 6:50 PM
You are never too old. A neighbor of mine when I lived in Toronto started playing when he was 61yrs old. By the time he was 65 he could really play very well. He used to come over to our house when we had our annual BBQ and listen to the bands play in the back yard.
Hooked Newbie
11-26-2007, 7:29 PM
Go for it! I started at 30+ and suck, but love it. I wish I would've done it at your age!
Dangerdoll
11-26-2007, 7:34 PM
I agree, you are never too young as long as you are consistent and dedicated.
doreenjoy
11-26-2007, 7:37 PM
It's never too late if you're going to get some enjoyment from it.
At the relatively creaky old age of 44, I'm still taking up new hobbies & learning new things.
jpappy789
11-26-2007, 7:40 PM
I agree...start playin'!!! :)
destined_love7
11-26-2007, 7:42 PM
I'd say that now is the perfect time for you to learn! You're still young and have the dexterity needed, but you're mature enough to really grasp what you're learning. Go for it!
jpappy789
11-26-2007, 7:48 PM
I'd say that now is the perfect time for you to learn! You're still young and have the dexterity needed, but you're mature enough to really grasp what you're learning. Go for it!
I agree^^^
Sometimes younger kids get bored or distracted or end up hating the instrument they play because their parents force them to play...at 18 you are making a decision yourself and it sounds like you would be comitted to praticing and learning the instrument
FISHSHROD
11-26-2007, 7:55 PM
Great advice posted here, go for it . I took lessons when I was young and then my brother snapped my guitar in half.
About 10 years later I picked up a cheap electric and gave it a go again. Even though I could not read music anymore I was determined to play. I was 18 then (52) now and still rockin.
You know you really want to do it don't you :grinyes:
The kids want to rock :headbang2:
I agree, you are never too young as long as you are consistent and dedicated.
*snicker*
You are too old for this guitar:
http://www.gearlive.com/blogimages/elmo_guitar.jpg
No, you are never too old to learn to play. I am a professional musician, and have been making my living that way for more than 20 years - that is until I moved back to NJ in July...
I have had many, many people tell me that they used to play when they were kids, and were sorry that they had given it up. I have NEVER heard anyone say that they used to play and quitting was the happiest day of their lives. Play if you want to. Don't if you don't. Don't listen to people telling you what to do (unless it is a reputable teacher, and then, take it with a grain of salt....) Enjoy your music, it is yours and solely for your own enjoyment.
I will also say that:
The more you practice, the better you get, and the easier it will be.
The hardest part of playing an instrument is taking it out of the case....
It is isn't fun, don't do it. Who needs another chore?
Enjoy yourself! :)
S.
Octavarium
11-27-2007, 7:26 PM
noooot at all man. I started same age as you, just played sports and did well in school never really cared about music or learned anything. Im 22 now, and my playing improved to the point where its easy to be in band or jam with people if I want, and my pre-med path keeps me from practicing nearly as much as I should.
I started using tabs, I think its a great way to learn to play...just try and learn some songs you like. Some people may disagree, but for me it was fun and the type of music I like (Dream Theater, Satriani, lots of "technical" progressive music) sure gave me a workout on technique (correct finger positioning, tapping, legato, etc.)
Go out and buy that guitar...please trust me from experience, the difference between day 1 and 2 months is unbelivable if you put some decent time and effort in.
Dangerdoll
11-27-2007, 7:37 PM
*snicker*
:silly:
hatcheridiot
11-27-2007, 8:28 PM
Agree with all above.......DEFINATELY go for it!
In addition to what many have said above....
The hardest part for me....and I started at your age was to stay focused because it is challenging at first. But, start simple, start slow, but try to keep on it. The longer period of time that I spent away from the guitar, the harder it was to get back into it. Even a few minutes a night on really busy weeks will keep you in it, interested, and your fingers in shape. Do it! Trust me, you will LOVE having that skill the rest of your life!
FISHSHROD
11-27-2007, 8:47 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWWpbugjtHQ
Check out my nephew , he has been playing for a few years, just think , some day you could do something like this :)
Get the guitar and crank that baby up:headbang2:
electromen
11-27-2007, 10:44 PM
Go for it, I know someone that started playing drums when he was 18 and now he's 25 and one of the most respected drummers in the metal scene. I started playing when I was 11-12 ish, my other guitarist started when he was 17. As long as you can learn and committ, your in the clear.
thanks for the words of encouragment everyone!
fishshrod, your cousin's awesome =] hopefully i will play like that one day.