Want to learn guitar

[Evil Undead]

Hey guys

I've always wanted to learn guitar properly - I play a bit (know the basic chords etc) and have tried a few times to improve but always get a bit frustrated and sell my guitar!

Firstly - do you think at 34 I'm too old to really learn? I know it's much easier to learn an instrument as a kid.

Then, if the general consensus is that maybe I could give it another go, I'd need a guitar! What to get? Definitely electric, preferably hard tail but don't mind a trem (no FR's though, they confuse me!) and something with a nice slim neck. Budget £150 really, happy with new or used.

I've seen the ibanez GSA60 and like the look and sound of that, anyone got experience with those?

Thanks in advance

Edited April 16, 2016 by Evil Undead

[Schnozzalee]

When playing alone, I find Guitar much more interesting to play than Bass, which is why I bought mine.

They all say it's never too late to start learning and I would agree, because it's satisfying to noodle throughout the week.

There's tonnes of resources to look to, such as Lick Library, JustinGuitar, Rockschool etc etc

I would go for a Yamaha Pacifica if you're buying online, as they're very consistent with their Q/C and I've never played a bad one.

You can get an Alder Body version for £165:

[url="http://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/products/yamaha_pacifica_112j_electric_guitar_black.asp"]http://www.richtonem...uitar_black.asp[/url]

[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_erWxfndFfc"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_erWxfndFfc[/url]

Edited April 17, 2016 by Schnozzalee

[PaulWarning]

I not sure about being to old at 34! IMO one of the reasons why it appears easier to learn when you're young is because at that age you tend to be more obsessive about it, whereas when you're older other things need your attention as well so you just don't practice as much

[Hobbayne]

I started playing guitar many years after starting bass. Once I learnt how the major and minor chords work together it made so much sense.
I was about 30 then.
There are are lot of similarities between guitar and bass in as much as all your scales pentatonic etc you can carry across.
If you played a P bass before, have a look at the Squire strats or tele Affinity range to get you going.

[ezbass]

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1460887726' post='3029496']
If you played a P bass before, have a look at the Squire strats or tele Affinity range to get you going.
[/quote]+1. Tele was my immediate reaction.

34 is nothing, plenty of time to learn and what you already know about note position from bass will hold you in good stead.

[zbd1960]

Can't comment about guitar per se, but no, it's never too old. I was over 50 before I picked up cello and sax (and now pickuing up bass). I joined a community orchestra and found loads of people - returning adults in their 50/60/70s, absolute beginners, people taking up 2nd or 3rd instrument. General consensus being, "Wish I'd done this 20 years ago...".

So no, not too late by decades! But adults suffer from two general issues: one is they tend to be busier than youngsters, so you can't necessarily devote the time you'd like, and another is that as adults our brains get in the way as we tend to think 'Why can't I do that, I've tried it twice?'. We tend to forget how long it takes to acquire fine motor control (e.g. writing).

Good luck.

[leftybassman392]

It sounds as if you've acquired some of the basics so it's mostly a matter of getting used to the differences. Although the string/fret system works the same way there are some important differences you need to get clear about - treating either simply as a bigger/smaller version of the other will make progress more difficult.

Age is no barrier; my oldest student was in his 60s when he started, and numerous others were in their 40s or 50s.

There's lots of online stuff out there that you can use for training; not sure I'd recommend grade work such as Rockschool at this stage though. To some degree it depends what you want from it: being clear about that will help you decide how to go about it. Above all, be patient and allow time for your skills to develop - and don't underestimate the amount of work involved (IME students coming to it with a '[i]how hard can it be?[/i]' attitude are invariably the same ones who drop it in frustration).

Another option might be to get a tutor (weekly sessions if funds allow or on an occasional basis just so you can monitor progress from time to time). If you go this route though, make sure you go with a properly accredited tutor - being a good guitarist is no guarantee that somebody is going to be any good as a teacher.

As for instruments, £150 will get you a perfectly decent starter guitar - new is possible but you'll get more for your money going pre-owned. Plenty of choice out there from the likes of Yamaha, Ibanez, Washburn and others. Up to you really.

Edited April 17, 2016 by leftybassman392

[JapanAxe]

Definitely not too old! I didn't start on bass till I was 40.

[ezbass]

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1460892582' post='3029536']
Definitely not too old! I didn't start on bass till I was 40.
[/quote]Likewise.

[SubsonicSimpleton]

Before you decide on what guitar to buy, give some thought to what sort of music you are interested in playing - if you use a guitar that is well suited to the style of music you want to play, it will make life easier both in terms of physical execution and getting the sound you want.

And absolutely you are not too old - but you do need to be willing to put in some focussed quality practice time (rather than noodling on the sofa while watching the tele) if you want to make progress.

[Evil Undead]

Thanks for the input guys, very much appreciated

[Bassnut62]

I started bass at 19 and guitar at 50. I now wish I hadn't left it so long to start playing guitar something like properly. I alwasy had a guitar and new the basic first positions and could hold simple barre chord. I think what put me off for so long was that I had a couple of good quality USA basses (MusicMan and G&L) and a pretty awful Epiphone guitar. I just didn't enjoy the crap guitar. Then about 4 years ago I bought a good used USA G&L Asat (Tele) guitar (a hard tail too) and have barely touched my basses since. I now find I love guitar and have learnt very quickly, by joing a band and just doing it. Nothing like the pressure of not making an arse of yourself to make you learn. I did have to practice 16hrs pw though for about 18mths to get to a passable level that I could join a band.

[tedmanzie]

You're definitely not too old. I've been playing guitar for 28 years and have only reached half decent busker level! But for what it's worth here are my thoughts! -

In my experience the tension of guitar strings can be worse than bass for hand problems (I get left arm problems) and I think you have posted here before about having left hand issues on bass. With that in mind I would say you could consider trying out a short scale guitar like a Fender Mustang, you can pick them up new for £270 so might get one second hand for near your budget. Definitely worth trying though, the necks are small and the strings will be much lower tension, I think they are great guitars. Next up from that is a 24.75" scale and that is the classic Gibson scale length, 24.75 is easier to play than 25.5 - basically Stratocasters, Telecasters and most other guitars are 25.5" scale length (including that Ibanez I would expect). It's not a deal breaker but I would definitely try some different guitars out to see what you think. Whatever you get I'd string it with 009 - 042s which is extra light guage and will make learning easier, and get it set up so the action is spot on - it makes all the difference.

The next thing is what kind of music do you want to play? If you're happy to busk through some pop tunes or become a rhythm guitarist in a rock band then you're in luck as you can probably be doing that in months rather than years

If you want to be in a metal band you can build a career on one chord shape! (i'm not joking)

[paul_5]

I just started to learn jazz guitar last year, at the tender age of 40. I'm absolutely loving it, and it's given me a deeper understanding of jazz bass playing too, so it's a win/win situation. Once you get basic (moveable) chord shapes under your fingers then you can literally play anything. I sight-read my way through 2 jazz standards the other night - something that was unthinkable last month.

I'm on a Vintage (brand, not age) SG copy with flat wound 10s, which make bending a bit difficult due to the tension, but as a 'second' instrument I don't want to be shelling out to restring it every couple of weeks.

As for choice of guitar, I have recurring tendonitis in my fretting hand, so had to be careful about neck profile etc… I really wanted to play a Telecaster (who would't?) but the neck profiles were a bit too thin for me to comfortably play for any length of time; also the slightly shorter scale-length of Gibson-style guitars made more sense too.

34 is nothing.

Music is everything.

[tedmanzie]

this looks good! £140
http://thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/74289/fs-ibanez-sa260fm#latest

[GarethFlatlands]

Learn some theory.
Play stuff you like so you're motivated to keep playing, then learn everything you can get your hands on even if you dislike it. The more you learn, the more you can always incorporate bits and ideas into your own stuff, even if it's from something you don't like.

Bit basic but those are the 2 things that helped me the most over the years.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

I'm in a similar boat to you Mel, although I've actually taken the plunge a couple of times and actually bought a guitar! However on both occassions I quickly became frustrated with the tiny strings and my ham-fisted attempts to play 'real' chords, and realised I could be buying bass goodies with the money so quickly sold them. Of course, I regret it each time! Like Schnozzalee I don't really get much out of playing bass at home on my own anymore*, and the days of cranking the stereo and blasting along to Live At Leeds are sadly passed.
Despite not being a guitar player, I can find my way around crudely but would love to learn properly - Steve Howe being a particular inspiration. Nice and easy to aim for eh
My problem is always deciding which guitar to go for. I adore hollowbodies like the Gretsch Electromatics and Epiphones, and they sound glorious, but there's another side of me that wants to play extreme metal on something sharp and heavily drop-tuned.

*I remain, however, a bass player, and no amount of dabbling elsewhere will change this.

[The-Ox]

and OP, never too late to learn! Guitar is hard to learn, easy to master, whilst bass is easy to learn, but ahrd to master (so they say)

[Musicman20]

I highly recommend just playing and enjoying it. I have barely ever had any guitar based lessons; I just learn myself and see what 'sounds' good and what bands I like use for chord progressions and riffs. I don't take my guitar playing as serious but I love it. I barely practice bass at home now because I know there is more time required for guitar.

I tend to prefer guitar anti-heroes like Cobain and Coxon. Both great on guitar and very individual but not flashy. The best 'technical' but still melodic player will always be Frusciante for me; his leads just WORK. No faff, no shred, just a cranked amp, cool pedals and a Strat (in most of the RHCP anyway).

I'd opt for a Tele/Strat copy (even try save for a decent Squier Classic Vibe or get one second hand). A Tele is much more 'simple'...no faff.

Other options include a MIM Tele 'Baja' model. You would basically never need to upgrade it or sell it...just use it for years. Custom shops pickups, amazing aesthetics, very well made.

I picked up an Epiphone 'Inspired by J Lennon' Casino in sunburst when they had a load on sale due to the model being discontinued. It is stunning to play. Very light, very easy to play chords, can play without an amp, and it has proper Gibson P90s in it.

I've gone way over your budget but I think it's easier and more fun to learn on a better quality instrument.

[blank20]

It's never too late to play guitar If you start now, then at 40 You can be very good guitar player, remember that
I can recommend You one of these guitars
https://gb.muzyczny.pl/162086_SX-SST57-CAR-electric-guitar.html
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StratAFFLPB

[Kiwi]

Find music to play that you're passionate about. Get a guitar that allows you to achieve as much satisfaction as possible in terms of sounds. Nothing beats that feeling of having accomplished something.

My first serious guitar was an HSS strat - very versatile and it lasted a long time until I got into Alan Murphy's sound so had to have a Yamaha MSG (or three...). Then I got into Nile Rodgers obsessively and got a Hitmaker made (given all the Fender ones had sold for silly money).

The closer I can get to the sounds on the records, the easier it is to compare my playing to what I hear.

Next stop - Steve Lukather and maybe Jeff Beck on the way to learning Satch Boogie (my ultimate goal). So perhaps I'll be going back to the HSS strat for a bit.