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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5332
Location: Bluffton, SC | I played quite a bit from about 15 - 22 then all but dropped it for almost twenty years as life got in the way. Was never without one in the house but if I strummed it more than 20 minutes a month, it was a really good month.Being back at it for the last couple of years, I think my dexterity is much slower (but I played every day back in the day, local bands, etc.) and I just play on the back deck now so, even though I'm back at it, I'll never be able to play as much as I did then.
Have not taken lessons but have considered it and it's been suggested more times than I'd like to admit (feel free to let that one ride, guys). Greatest difficulty to overcome? That's tough (there's a few) - maybe my complete and total inability to play fingerstyle. Second would probably be my inability to understand why anyone plays a banjo. Ok, that was a joke.
Hope that helps. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| +1 on Weaser's first paragraph for me.
Since I decided to get serious about guitar again (about 2 years ago) I've taught myself a number of songs fingerstyle, which I never played when I was young.
I'm also taking lessons now from a private instructor. It's forced me to break some bad habits like left wrist position - I no longer try to choke the life out of the neck - and no longer anchoring the right hand when using a pick. Lessons also force me to develop good habits, like efficient practice. Check out guitar workshop online.
Don't get discouraged! The more you play, the easier it becomes, and things you used to know will start coming back. Above all, try not to get frustrated if you hit a wall - it's only temporary. As Matt Smith says, there's a reason it's called playing music - it's supposed to be fun. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | There are a bunch of us in that boat. I picked it up in college and played a few rock songs back then, but liked ballads and started trying to learn fingerstyle with a homemade fingerbuster. When I got my Ovation in 77, I learned a few Croce, Denver and the like songs. Never had a lesson. I tried a community education lesson back in the 70s, because I couldn't afford to pay anything, but I was the only intermediate player to show up and the instructor and I agreed he couldn't teach me anything.
When the kids arrived I had been playing less and less, but went through a few phases where I'd brush up on all the old songs and maybe learn another.
A couple years ago I started playing more after I found this site and got GAS. Now I try to practice at least a few minutes a day. Without a regular gig or lessons, it's hard to stay motivated, but the fingerstyle songs are getting pretty good. A retirement goal is still to learn to play some decent electric licks. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | I stopped playing a few years after college, then picked it up again more than 20 yrs later. I've progressed much faster than I expected and do play better and more knowledgeably than I did before. My greatest difficulties are finding uninterrupted blocks of time to play, and hand/finger pain from too much computer. |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Ditto on that, I played when I was younger (although not that good) quit for around 30 years and took it up again at about 53 or so (still not that good) Kind of like milk that has gone bad, you can leave it in the fridge, but it never does get any better. :rolleyes: |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | I've played steadily since I was 17. It just that my playing sounds like I've been playing steadily since July 17, 2008...... |
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Joined:
August 2008
Posts: 121
Location: Maine | I'm starting private lessons the 2nd week in September. Until then, I play my Ovation everyday to harden up my fingers and re-learn some of the chords I knew back in the day. I'm kind of in training for my training. Give me a few months to brush up on things and then we can start a band. Any ideas on what the name could be? |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Maine-iacs. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| O'cultists |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 367
Location: Eaton, Indiana | Welcome!
60 years old here. Been on the road for 42 of those years. Still doing between 125-150 concerts a year. The thrill has never left. 2 more years and I will retire then go on the road full time.
I am presently working on a new Contempory Christian CD, Hopefully to be out by the end of this year.
Best to you!
scott lamperd |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Originally posted by ProfessorBB:
55 and retired. Lucky guy, Wagonmaster. You have a lot of company on this site with old codgers. I turn 57 in two weeks but as long as I keep buying toys, retirement has to be deferred. '51 was a vintage year. |
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Old guy/new player
