Is it too late for me to learn how to play the guitar?

Question

I'm 24 and I don't know anything (even the basics) about guitar, I also don't know how to read notes. If you think there is still hope for me for this kind of thing can you please tell me how and where can I start. Thanks!

Answer 1

Its never too late unless you have arthritis. I suggest you buy a chord book but thats really unnecessary because you will only be practicing about 21 basic (look up open chords on yahoo) chords which you can look online. Only until after you learn about guitar theory then you should proceed to learn other chords and how to construct them. About the guitar theory, I suggest you take lessons or buy a really good video. What I don't suggest is buying a book about guitar theory and expect to understand it. There's a reason why musicians pursue music.... let's just say english and logic isn't a musicians best topic. Also, it isn't really necessary to read musical notations in order to play the guitar. Some professionals doesn't even bother with that. For example, Tommy Emmauel. He is one of the greatest guitar players and he taught himself, but I doubt he didn't have some sort of help, especially with the guitar theory. Don't expect to learn this instrument quickly. Some of the answers might included something like be patient or what not but that needs to be more emphasized. What you need is a FREAK load of patience. There's 3 type of guitar players. First kind is a professional of the instrument. Never misses a note, beat, pitch, technique blah blah and also doesn't have a real job (probably have a record label or something). The second type is someone who is a mediocre player, misses notes but not really and is not perfected but have a job/school to deal with. Third kind is a really bad guitar player and have a full time job/school. Point is, you stay home and practice 8 hours a day for 3-10 (yes thats how much people practice to be good) to really know how to play the thing. Most people give up on the thing because it's so hard. Some claim that its easy? Well those people can probably only play lousy basic chords which is pretty easy but anything beyond that is a pain literally. Like doing legato runs, sweep picking, alternate picking at 200 bpm, finger picking, chicken picking, etccc depends on your style of guitar. Well I don't feel like writing an essay about this so to sum it up, good luck and practice everyday. "The guitar can be a very boring instrument sometimes " - Joe Satriani.


Btw have you purchased a guitar yet? If so I hope you bought one of those beginner packages and save yourself alot of money. I learned that the hard way. Most people would suggest an acoustic for starters but if you want to play an electric you can double that as an acoustic/electric you know =) just turn off the distortion. Do you know about the different kinds of effect? If not, ask me. I suggest something like this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Special-II-Player-Pack?sku=518677

If you can buy that at your local store thats fine.

Answer 2

Nah its not too late, just don't expect to be good right away, that was my mistake, i picked up the guitar one day and thought i could be Eddie van halen in no tI'me, here it is five years later, and im no where near eddies skill, but better than i was when i picked it up. I think the biggest thing is that you have to enjoy playing, if practicing makes you sigh or roll you re eyes, then you will never be good, just have patience and practice a little every day, you will get there

Answer 3

Just jump in there, it is only too late if you are dead. There are alot of beginner guitar lesson dvd's that show you the basics, but I think it is easier if you have a laid back friend to get you started. Either way it takes lots of practice. But all the girls love a guitar player.

Answer 4

It's never too late! Try going to the library and get books on how to play the guitar.

Answer 5

It's never too late to learn anything, just be prepared to have a LOT of patience, as you will need to learn basic music theory before even touching a guitar (if you want to learn to play properly, that is)--good luck!!

~Scottie

Answer 6

Go to http://www.guitarlessonsonvideo.com It's absolutely the best - you will learn how to play the guitar, how to read music, and how to play using guitar tabs as well. When you finish - you will be able to play any style of music you want, play with any band, and even put together your own band.

Answer 7

Of course it's not too late. Take a music class and have fun. I had to laugh when I read you were only 24. I thought it was going to say 80 years old or something.

Answer 8

Of course not!
Start with the simple chords like C, D, E, A. With constant practice, I know you'll be able to learn fast. I was able to get the basics in 2 weeks.

Answer 9

it's never too late! granted, it'll be a little harder for you to learn than a kid, but you can still do it. you don't necessarily have to know how to read sheet music, but you can learn to read tab really easy. go to a music shop and look through some books, take some home with you and practice, practice, practice! your hands will hurt, but that's a good thing! no pain, no gain! break a leg!

Answer 10

No way! Just get the guitar and and learn how play it! Good luck with that!