Can you learn the guitar at any age?

Question

I'm 24 & for roughly 8 years I have been trying to teach myself the guitar & have failed miserably!!! Is it possible to learn the guitar well at my age & is there any teachers who are willing to be patient enought to teach an older student!? I am desperate to learn!
Also if there are any guitar tutors in Melbourne AU that are willing to teach a 24 year old guitar torturer then please let me know.!!
:)

Answer 1

I ran a music school fore years and what people above have said is all true. Practise make perfect,
Try doing the learning from book if you do not get a teacher.
Here is a formula to try.
Start with the front of the book read the first two or three pages and then do the finger work for them pages. the the next week memorise it and try the fingering every day, When you have that off pat go on to the next few pages and do the same again for a week you will have to do the first few pages you did at the same timed do not go forward any more until you have it all off pat.
I tell you this because most people want to finish before the fully understand the beginning.
You can only take in information at a small time so that you can concentrate for 10 or so minutes. we ran the school on the times !0 minutes tor ead 10 for revision and 10 for something that you want to play first like you favourite tune but then you have to do the same set up to learn one line at a time and practise for the week.
We have people from 5years old to 70 years old and all pasted the music exams no one failed.
Go look I live in Bris QLD.

Answer 2

According to research, there is no reason a person can not continue to learn at any age. It does sound as if you need help though. 8 years is a long time if you have made no progress. Keep in mind that some people are more skilled in learning music than others, perhaps you might try another instrument as well and see how you do with it. HOWEVER, if you are enjoying trying to learn, by all means continue to strum away.

Answer 3

I started at 23 myself. I've been learning for a year now, and although I am by no means ready to play in a band, I can play quite a few songs that I like to sing. I had to teach myself because I was unable to find a good teacher. I used Hal Leonard books, then once I was fluent with simple chords like G, D, C, Em, A, Dm..... I started printing off chord progressions of the popular a songs I liked that used those chords. From there you play around with the rhythm until it pleases your ear. Since you have been trying for 8 years to teach yourself, finding a good instructor would definately be to your benefit. You also have to be very determined to learn and practice, practice, practice. I didn't get chord changes smoothly until I made myself practice for 4 hours a night. By the end I wouldn't be able to touch anything with my left hand because my fingers hurt so bad. But it was worth it. I can't go a single day without picking up my guitar. It's kinda silly, but it has become one of my best friends. Good Luck to you.

Answer 4

I started at about 16 also, but I think it's never too late ... a private instructor is definitely the way to go ... not only because they can coach you on your weak points, but because it forces a discipline of playing every week ... I have no idea who teaches in Melbourne, but I'm sure any instructor at a music store would take you on ... it doesn't matter who you start with, as I advise switching instructors at least every year or two anyway ... btw, I think best instructional books on guitar are Guitar Cookbook by Jesse Gress, Fretboard Logic by Bill Edwards and Modern Method for Guitar by William Leavitt ... good luck and stick with it

Answer 5

Yes. It's possible to learn anything at any age if you want to enough. I can't understand why you haven't made much progress in 8 years though. You're not left-handed trying to learn on a right-hand stringed guitar, are you? That won't help....

Answer 6

you can play, youre not that old your brain hasnt stopped growing completly but yes, younger musicians have a way bigger benefit, think of it as learning to talk when youre four and learning another languauge when your eighteen, but it is way possible, its not easier but if youre naturally musical then you will pick up, also its easier if you have any other kind of previous musical experiment, and i have to say guitar is a lot easier to pickup personally than say piano at your age, but you can do it if you really want to, its not like you wont be able to play as good as someone who started young just that you may find it harder to sink in (this is why its easier to learn intruments when your pre-adoulescent) but Jessica from the veronicas learnt guitar at age 18 so dont worry, and shes a guitarist/singer

Answer 7

I started when I was 17. At 27, I sucked. I'm 52 now and I'm pretty good. No one runs away screaming when I play.

Check this out... It's me playing the guitar and singing all three parts.

http://www.cigarette-discounts.com/something.html

Answer 8

I bought my son an electric guitar when he was 12 and he plays in a band now. Never had a lesson just picked it all up on his own and from playing with some of his friends.I think it depends on your level of determination and patience.

Answer 9

hey try allans in kew. they teach guitars. and if they dont. books. i learn through books and it works. some of my friends who are great guitarists in their own bands learnt from books and websites.

Answer 10

I'm 54 and still trying, but still enjoying, better something than nothing