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Joined:
August 2008
Posts: 121
Location: Maine | At 55, and after a 30 year hiatus, I'm back playing a guitar. Bought an Ovation Legend (I had an Ovation in '78 when I stopped), and started banging away. Fingers very sore, playing everyday, things started coming back. It was amazing; chords, strumming, etc. Found chordie.com thanks to this site and started to expand my musical horizon. Now I'm playing and singing and sounding pretty good (I think). So I decide that I'll really get into it and take guitar lessons. Very bad move for me. I found that the work such as fingering, etc. was monotonous and felt like drudgery. It took all my enthusiasm completely away. I didn't want to do it so my O just hung on the wall. I finally came to my senses and realized that I wasn't 25 any longer and quit the lessons. Now I'm back to playing everyday, singing along and enjoying myself. I can even find an artist on YouTube and strum along with the video. Not going to take the guitar world by storm, but if a bunch of players start, I can jump in and hold on. So here's to grabbing some chords and having a good time with your Ovation. Anyone else every experience this. |
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Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | Just play for the pure joy of it. Thats what I do. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| I got back into guitar about 4 years ago after a 25-year hiatus (plinking away every now and then but never seriously). At first I was happy just to strum a few chords to the old songs (they came back surprisingly quickly), but then I hit a wall - just got bored playing the same old things.
I decided to get serious and found a really great instructor locally (on the recommendation of Matt Smith) who also teaches at National Guitar Workshop. Yes, sometimes the exercises are a drudge, but my playing's improved dramatically, & I can now sit down and learn a new song in hours and not weeks. It's opened up a whole new level of musical experience for me.
YMMV of course. But if you reach a wall yourself, maybe look around for another instructor, one who's a better fit for what you want to accomplish with your musicianship. You can always look into workshop live online (the online lessons from the National Guitar Workshop instructors).
Bottom line, as Matt says there's a reason they call it playing music - you should be having fun doing it. BTW, I'm not a whole lot younger than you. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by g8r:
look around for another instructor BINGO! Back in late elem school I took piano for two+ years. By the second year I was tired of the Thompson lesson series and wanted to learn 'pop' music. Well, no go... So I dropped piano and devoted all my my efforts to playing ball.
When my daughters started piano lessons I was sure to find an instructor that would relate what the girls learned to what was popular at that time. BIG difference in the attention span and interest level!
Find a teacher that will correct your bad habits and guide you down your 'road'. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
Originally posted by g8r:
look around for another instructor BINGO! Back in late elem school I took piano for two+ years. By the second year I was tired of the Thompson lesson series and wanted to learn 'pop' music. Well, no go... So I dropped piano and devoted all my my efforts to playing ball.
When my daughters started piano lessons I was sure to find an instructor that would relate what the girls learned to what was popular at that time. BIG difference in the attention span and interest level!
Find a teacher that will correct your bad habits and guide you down your 'road'.
Vic |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Same age, same story, except for the attempted lessons. I'm also a fairly decent self-learner/teacher, but where I think the lessons would help is forcing me to work through those dreaded basics that I need to get better. Workshop Live looks excellent, but I worry that if I didn't have someone nagging me, I wouldn't stick with it. Sort of like exercise equipment. I have a bunch in very good condition. |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Currently, my oldest student is 84. She is doing very well. When I teach technique, I do it within the framework of a SONG that the student likes. Break it down into little pieces, and once you have mastered one part, move on to the next. Each time you see improvement, you should be realizing "Hey, this is fun!" Then the next step should be a little easier. When you "hit a wall", put the guitar down and come back twenty minutes later. You will find that what was "impossible" now seems a little easier. Find a teacher who will work with you as an individual. When it comes to giving lessons, one size does NOT fit all. |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4832
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | There are many personality types and teachers in the world. I would keep auditioning them (1 or two lessons each) until I found one the clicked with me.
Contrary to the old saw, you can literally teach an old dog new tricks. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | CanterburyStrings :
" When it comes to giving lessons, one size does NOT fit all. "
That was a Gem of Wisdom !!
Fillhix :
" Contrary to the old saw, you can literally teach an old dog new tricks. "
Another Good One !
Vic |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Nothing wrong with lessons, no matter how old or good you are.l There's always room to grow.
go to www.workshoplive.com
There's a different teacher. For the cost of one or two lessons you got many months worth.
I'm 57 and have been working harder over the last 4-5 years at playing than ever before. Go to weekend seminars. Go to NGW week long classes, or the Swannanoa Gathering, or the Fur Peace Ranch. Play with others. Play all the time at home. The only thing I have not done is sign up for regular weekly lessons. The variety is stimulation. The weekly thing would get monotonus to me BUT if you need that to get back to where you can digest all this other input then do it. When I retired 7 years ago I really couldn't play for shit and didn't know any songs. I've imporved a little from then, still got a long way to go.
The key to it all was said by Darby in his hit song "Guitarded" "PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!" |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4071
Location: Utah | A lot of us have that same story of the guitar gathering dust for several decades. For me, the nice surprise is that I am a lot better at learning and listening, despite some hearing damage from a noisy work environment. Age has changed my perspective and goals, for the better. The downside is that it is darn near impossible to have a regularly scheduled lesson or practice time due to all the chaos of kids and work.
Wagonmaster, Beal's advice is excellent, try different things that have some structure, whether it be lessons or a seminar or a weekly jam. Though he didn't quite say it that way, the key is to find something that requires regular effort at learning something new, and holds you accountable (even if just to yourself).
For me it was joining a band. Not only is it tons of fun, I am accountable to the band to do stuff that really stretches my skills. There is reward in the learning, and reward in the performing. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | every time I put a guitar I learn something.
sometimes I may think i am going backwards but you always move forward.
much to my dismay I will never master the instrument. |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Is anyone using Workshoplive on a Mac? I've logged in for a 7 day trial and get the first section of the lesson (introduction) but an error message whenever I click "next" to get into the meaty bits. I've sent them an email, but they are all tucked in bed asleep. |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | I had to go to the software download section and update all the flash plug-ins, but it runs smoothly on 2 Macs at home, and one at work.
When they get back to you, they'll probably send you a step by step tutorial. |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | I restarted Safari (they don't tell you to do that) and it seems to work now. I presume the plug-ins don't take effect until Safari restarts. |
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Joined:
September 2008
Posts: 757
Location: Melbourne Australia | For what it's worth I always envied people who could play guitar and after I hit 52 must have gone through change of life or something and decided I would have lessons and learn to play.
So here I am 2 years later still trundling off to my 1/2 hour lesson each Monday night and then come home with my 'homework'. Only problem is sometimes my fingers don't go where I want them to :confused:
Saying that - it is the best therapy and I love what little I can do :D |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 154
Location: Michigan | Here's a crosspost from BBForum
One month's free lessons online, after that its 19.95 per month with unlimited access.
Wish I had a computer system that would support it.
Free; one month of online guitar lessons (blues/bluegrass/folk/jazz/swing/rock/metal/slack key, etc.);
I have filmed over 30 hours of online blues guitar lessons for http://www.jamplay.com
I signed up with these folks because it's the best deal for the consumer. The site has numerous guitar instructors in many genres, and costs only $19.95 per month ... and for that low fee, less than one 'live' guitar lesson, subscribers can view as many guitar lessons as they want, in as many genres as they want, as many times as they want over a one month period. No minimum cost, just monthly at $19.95 per month.
(I have already been paid for my participation in the web site. Whether you sign up or not is of no finacial conesquence or benefit to me.)
They have many hours of my guitar lessons online, and enough already 'in the can' to put up one per week for the next 9 months. The web site takes care of creating the 'supplemental information' (musical notation/tablature) for each lesson.
You can go to the site and view sample guitar lessons for free. It's really amazing ... I now have hundreds of blues guitar students all over the USA/Canada/Europe/The Middle East/Australia. The numbers keep growing ... and what is most rewarding is that the students can communicate with me via the 'comments' aspect of each lesson ... asking questions and showing their gratitude and enthusiam.
The site has over 4,000 subscribers right now ... and is growing rapidly, especially as a result of a tear-out coupon for a free one month subscription that is in current issues of Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
If you want a FREE one month subscription, go here:
http://www.jamplay.com/ag
and use the password:
blowfish
Please feel free to pass on this opportunity for a month of free guitar lessons, in any genre, to anyone you think may be interersted. Thanks so much.
Peace and Best Wishes,
Hawkeye
*************************
If anybody does this let me know how it works out, working on trying to get a better system so I can do something like this over the winter.
Wally |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Blowfish.......? |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Whatever gets you playing is good. Lessons do help however. |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | FWIW, I paid substantially less than $20/mo for workshop.
Mark's right. If you just do the lessons "when you get around to it" it could be a waste of money. So keep a journal and systematically work through a series of lessons. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Mauvais Beal:
Nothing wrong with lessons, no matter how old or good you are.l There's always room to grow.
go to www.workshoplive.com
There's a different teacher. For the cost of one or two lessons you got many months worth.
I'm 57 and have been working harder over the last 4-5 years at playing than ever before. Go to weekend seminars. Go to NGW week long classes, or the Swannanoa Gathering, or the Fur Peace Ranch. Play with others. Play all the time at home. The only thing I have not done is sign up for regular weekly lessons. The variety is stimulation. The weekly thing would get monotonus to me BUT if you need that to get back to where you can digest all this other input then do it. When I retired 7 years ago I really couldn't play for shit and didn't know any songs. I've imporved a little from then, still got a long way to go.
The key to it all was said by Darby in his hit song "Guitarded" "PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!"
For years (actually decades) I just played by myself and for my own enjoyment. about 7-8 years ago I started playing with others. That's where you learn and that's where you become a guitar player. Am I now a great guitar player? Hell no! But I listen to others when we are playing together and I can add something to what's going on. And by and large, I'm confident enough to do it.
Now if I could just do something about my voice... |
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Joined:
July 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Tampa Bay area, FL | You had the wrong teacher. I've had students in their early 80s. I am not going to give older people endless excersises when they just want to strum some songs. Learning stuff is never a bad idea- and, it is never too late to learn something.
Picking a teacher is like picking out a business partner- you gotta ask a ton of questions, make your goals clear, and make sure you trust that that is the right person to bring you where you want to be. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
Am I now a great guitar player? Hell no! But I listen to others when we are playing together and I can add something to what's going on. Yes, but can you play a C#m? |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by g8r:
Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
Am I now a great guitar player? Hell no! But I listen to others when we are playing together and I can add something to what's going on. Yes, but can you play a C#m? |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Dm, Paul. Just a little flat. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| The elusive 4th chord. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Yeah. That's the problem...... |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1483
Location: Michigan | Sounds like we have a few instructors out here so
My question is that I have never asked an instructor is if I signed up for your lessons and just told you that I just wanted to learn certain songs and not anything else would you do that?
I am very selfish on what songs that I want to learn to play and I will not go through lessons that teach me songs that I do not want to learn to learn to get proper guitar technique.Would that be an outrageous request or not.GWB |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | If you're the guy writing the checks, you can ask for anything you like. |
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Too old for lessons