For the past 2 years I have wanted to learn electric guitar to satisfy my inner shredding demon but have always put it off believing I am too old. I just turned 50 this year and realised that another 2 years have past so quickly but still have this burning desire to try and learn.

I have my eye on a lovely Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Black but am conerned I am deluding myself?

What or Where would you guys recommend I go to learn. I have looked at youtube but I want something more premium for a complete beginner who has only ever held a guitar upright with lessons going from complete beginner to pro, I am more than happy to pay for this but dont want to get ripped off or choose the wrong thing.

Any advise would be very helpful.

Thank you
Storm

 

Last edited: Jun 25, 2024

Brian Kelly is the best guitar teacher out there:
https://www.zombieguitar.com
159$ lifetime membership

 

Thank you so much for replying I will take a look

 

Two pieces of advice: 1) look for a teacher - face to face. Videos, YouTube tutorials, etc. are nice, but AFTER you get the fundamentals right with a teacher (a person interacting and evaluating your recently acquired skills, correcting vices when necessary, incentivating etc. is EXTREMELY important at the beginning - in fact, it is invaluable).

2) start with playing punk, blues, rock and roll, pop as your aims as a starter, so as not to get frustrated to the point of giving up too soon (David Gilmour or Jimmy Page never shredded, and in my humble opinion, shredding is just one (hard) technique among so many, and to set it up as a beginner's objective can eventually lead to a "i will never be able to play this thing" mindset).

Hope that helps and good journey!

 

Last edited: Jun 25, 2024

As long as you can still physically do it, it is always do-able.

I have to reinforce @jennyblack 's recommendation of an actual teacher. It makes a huge difference in how fast you will progress and getting the basics right just accelerates everything.

 

Thank you that is excellent food for thought and very valuable.

I know I am never going to be a John Petrucci, at least not this month

 

seek local teacher, many musical school teachers or students offer private lessons too, you definitely want face-to-face learning, especially with instant feedback on what you're doing wrong and whatnot,
as soon as you build up some basics and confidence, don't hesitate to seek local clubs and bands for some friendly sessions or even basic gigs, it can give you energy and motivation even if they'll be of different age or skillset

oh, and if you can, stay away from youtube, online tutorials, forums and online social network "advisers", they'll mostly only give you their detached opinions from your specific needs


PS: same advice goes with anyone aspiring as audio engineer, mixer, producer

 

I would like to think I am physically able, certainly nothing i know of, well apart from patience

Thank you, I never actually thought about a face to face teacher but now you wonderfull people have suggested it I can certainly see how important this would be at least for the first 6 months or so. They will be able to see what I am doing (wrong most likely) and correct me.

I literally have no experience in Guitar at all, Piano no problem, I am grade 9 so I am musical with a long musical background, I just want a new weapon (Axe) in my arsenal to put some proper lead guitar over my music, something I have wanted to try and do for a while.

 

Thank you so much tzzsmk it really does make perfect sense to have an actual guitar teacher. Great stuff

 

Very do-able, especially these days with so many online resources and apps!

I learnt at age 9 (which was back in 1989/1990), picking up a random acoustic guitar in my parent's house that nobody know where it came from, motivated to pick it up after hearing Stone Roses and Queen's Greatest Hits II albums. I then continued throughout the 1990s, when I was completely sucked into the whole indie and Britpop scene. Back then, I literally had to do things like record live shows on MTV (back when MTV was decent) or buy VHS live shows and then try to work out and parrot guitar chords and lead parts to try and learn a song as I could in no way afford endless guitar tab books. I'm now 43 and am still learning, thanks to the plethora of resources now available. The only issue is that with ages comes less natural dexterity, so manage your expectations a bit on playing like an absolute speed beast This has been partially remedied for myself by getting into more experimental guitar playing, like Sigur Ros and so on

The one recourse I find invaluable now is Guitar Pro by Arobas Music. If you spend time to learn guitar tab (it does also show classical musical notation if that's your thing), this becomes a great resource as it will allow you to load in tab files and then your can mute other parts, isolate certain guitar parts, slow down the music, and do all the things you'd need to do to work a part out.

The latest Guitar Pro 8 and the entire Ultimate Guitar Pro tab library are available on the sister site, just in case that expedites your grabbing of the tools to help you

 

great advice I'll add that yes you can learn guitar at 50. I learnt pretty much all the basics from justinguitar dot com (I was mid to late 40s when I started learning) I just took a look at his site and its been revamped but all the free lessons seem to still be there.

There's more than enough to get stuck into and I like his simple easy style of teaching. And no I have no connections, just think he's a good teacher. Everything from how to string a guitar so it stays in tune to jazz basics and everything in-between AND for free.. whats not to love

P.S great choice on your first guitar

 

Thank you ArticStorm totally agree.

 

Thanks Bunford I really appreciate you taking the time to send a lengthy reply. Although I am slightely older I totally get everything you said about the 90s. It funny I only said last weekend that MTV is nothing like how it used to be.

Glad you are still rocking away and stuck to it.

PS: The sister sites has been vsited thank you for the tip.

 

I played guitar, bass (strings instruments in generaL) for more than 20 years than I lost my left hand on a car accident 4 years ago, when I was about to record my first album.
I didnt wanna stop making music, so I am learnig piano & keys.
It's hard, but you have all you need, ears and both hands.

good luck. cheers.

PS.: I lost one leg too and I'm 40.

 

Thank you so much and for the link I have added it to my bookmarks and will take a look.

I ordered the guitar an hour ago for delivery tomorrow, super excited always loved the look of it.

 

I am so so sorry you went through that I can't imagine the loss, kind of puts everything in perspective.

Super kudos to you for trying something different and persevering with making music, I hope it is giving you enjoyment.

Piano and keys is my jam, been playing since I was a kid, and although I rock the synth guitar pretty much daily, I have always wanted to do the real thing.

I watch some video of say John Petrucci or Yngwie Malmsteen and often wonder how magical it must be to be on stage rocking out absolute anthems, all that reverb, delay and harmonics, absolutely delightful to listen too, I want a very small piece of that cake, i'd settle for just crumbs

 

One is never too old to begin your guitar adventure. You just might be a natural and soar. Your willingness and motivation to start at 50 will propel you onward, and if you're here at a music forum that means that you'll not be starting at ground zero because you must have the desire and foundation to build upon from musical knowledge

I'm 65 and have been playing now for 53 years and every time that I pick up a guitar I learn something new.

 

Thank you for the words of encouragement Lois, 53 years wow thats is magical I bet you have strummed some masterpieces in that time.

I am very musical and have a beautiful home studio but just got this one itch I need to scratch, now I am 50 no better time to start

 

The only instrument group that I can't play are woodwinds which I reserve for my next lifetime. When I grow up again I wanna play the oboe.