Playing guitar at my age?

Question

I just turned 16, and one dream I have is to take up the guitar.

Is it too late to take up the guitar at 16 and become good with it? I don't mean like a rockstar, but I want to be better than decent.

By guitar, I mean electric.

Motivation and hard work is not a problem for me, because I'm willing to practice hard to get it down.

Please answer honestly. I don't want like "You can do it!" type answers. I just want anyone who is skilled with guitar to tell me if its possible to get skilled with it if you start at 16.

I realize 16 seems like a young age to most.

But for me, it feels old. I mean, most of my friends have been playing guitar since like 8-10.

Answer 1

At age 16 you have the advantage of learning and comprehending much that will stay with you. I learned my first 11 chords at age 16 (in 1956) and have been playing since.

I played professionally while in and out of the Army, and continue to teach guitar today. Learning to read and write music was the impetus to advanced playing and I encourage you to learn music theory.

If you truly love guitar music, the sound, the feel, and the essence of guitars, then you will learn well. I always recommend to my students to start with an acoustic because it requires more discipline and strength to form the chords. Once you acquire the well-needed calluses, you can then be on your way to greater playing.

Start now!

Answer 2

A ray of hope!

It's not about age. It's about practice, practice, practice. Then practice even more! I started playing around that age. Most of my friends had been taking lessons way before I started playing. I have always played by ear because my family was poor and couldn't afford lessons for me. It didn't slow me down. I would practice 3-6 HOURS a day!

I am now 34. Most of my friends have stopped playing (kids, marriage, drugs, other interests, etc.). I have been in 3 successful bands and currently own my own successful guitar repair shop.

Some people do not ever pick up a guitar until their 50's and later. It's NEVER too late!

I've included a link for you to follow. Read the 1st paragraph by Kerry Roth-Peoria, IL USA.

Hope this helps. Enjoy!

Answer 3

Many people do not take up guitar until they retire. You have most of your life ahead of you, and today is a wonderful day to begin your relationship with the guitar. Find a teacher of a mentor so you don't waste your time unlearning bad habits. Take the guitar out of the case as soon as you get home. Put it somewhere where it will stare at you whenever you are not paying attention to it. Only put the guitar in the case when you are actually moving it around. Most of all, don't beat yourself up or put yourself down if you don't get it in a few days. Set a goal of at least six months and resolve to spend a certain amount of time with the instrument every week and you will do fine. If you need help, we're here.

Answer 4

Sure you can start! If you really want to do it and are willing to work hard to do it! My dad was 30 when he started playing acoustic Guitar and he is now a pro. He can play any song you can think of. For you, I would recomend getting a teacher. They will be able to help you better than just trying to teach yourself. But I would also search the net for "easy guitar reads". Then you can practise and learn new songs. If it was some other instrument, I would probably say it would be hard, but guitar is an easy instrument to pick up.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Well, I don't play guitar but I know my uncle, and one of my "kinda-friends" do. Sixteen is not too old to start taking lessons. It's good that you are determined to play the guitar because it will help you learn more easily. Anyways, just get an instructor or look into classes/lessons and you should be playing in no time. Also, both the people I know who play are about your age and really good at it.

Answer 6

If you can afford lessons,I would take some lessons and in my case I took classical guitar lessons which helped me tremendously in all types of playing. Listen closlely to what you are doing and concentrate! After awhile of picking up the guitar EVERY DAY and thinking about the way youwant the guitar to sound, it will become second nature. Enjoy!

Answer 7

take lessons and practice practice practice
i don't play music, but i have a friend who teaches violine and guitar, she tells me that the best students are between the ages of 14 and 20...
and you will probably want to study acustic guitar also, just because you will probably develope and interest in it when you get started...
if it is truly your passion, you will make it happen.
by the way, youre 16 ... i have grandchildren your age...so youre way young enough to get started and go far.

Answer 8

Hey, I started when I was 50 and now I will play in public!

Take lessons - DVD/video etc is OK but learn the basics properly first.

Answer 9

sure you can there are on line lessons you can take i play iam 47 my husband plays one day i just picked it up i dont sound bad he plays the thing every single day it takes a lot of practice if you wunt to be real good

Answer 10

Music is good at any age. My grandfather was 84 when he died and he demanded to play his guitar on his death bed.