Am I too old?

[ChubbyHubby]

I'm a 43 yr old man with no muscial training but with very musical DW and DDs. Am I too late to start to play? I'm thinking classical guitar.

Chubster.

 

[Micca]

As mid-life crises go I think you'd be better off with the sports car or the girlfriend, but whatever floats your boat.


KIDDING!!!!! I think it could be very relaxing if you don't become too frustrated with it. Could your family help you learn?

 

[JerseyJanice]

Don't laugh at this suggestion, but if I were you, I'd look into getting one of the Esteban guitars and learning DVDs from Home Shopping Network.

Last time I look on their website, the line seemed to be getting very favorable reviews. I think it would be an affordable way to try it out.

Good luck!

 

[Deb in IA]

Nah!!

My 52 year old DH started classical guitar last year and loves it! But he's always tinkered off and on over the years with playing, mostly rock and roll, so classical is a bit of a change.

Go for it, chubster!!

 

[Evil Genius]

Nope not at all. Find a teacher who specializes in adults. Enjoy!

 

[quasar4legs]

Never too old.
A dear friend of mine teaches violin and her keenest student is in his 70's and has only been learning for the last 12 months.
Give it a go, great for the brain and the soul!!

Good Luck.

 

[Bob NC]

I'm a 43 yr old man with no muscial training but with very musical DW and DDs. Am I too late to start to play? I'm thinking classical guitar.

Chubster.

How old would you be if you DO start to play?

 

[holycow]

Go for it! You never know until you try~

 

[Teresa Pitman]

John Holt wrote a book called (I think) Never Too Late about learning to play an instrument as an adult. It's been many years since I read it but I remember thinking it was very good at the time!

Teresa

 

[C.Ann]

You're never "too old" for anything - barring any physical limitations..

Give it a shot.. What have you got to lose?

Good luck!

 

[Handbag Lady]

My aunt started her opera career when she was into her 50's and was very successful.


I say go for it!



Also, try going to the local music store for lessons first before buying the instrument. In today's economy, I know they'd love to have the business, plus, they will help you buy the right guitar for your level of play.

 

[Abbie]

How old would you be if you DO start to play?

This is my absolute favorite response when someone wonders if they are too old to do something! "If I start college now, I'll be 50 when I finish!" Yes, and how old will you be in 4 years if you didn't start college??

Go for it OP!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

You should definitely give it a try. Look what happened to Susan Boyle!

 

[redlight]

Go for it!

 

[paintnolish]

Better late than never, as they say. I am a thirty-something full-time college student, though, so what do I know?

 

[disneymarie]

I'm a 43 yr old man with no muscial training but with very musical DW and DDs. Am I too late to start to play? I'm thinking classical guitar.

Chubster.

To get over it., I had a reality check with my Kids Guitar Hero, You can do some really playing, and makes one realize what baby steps it is to start a new insrument. If you played in the teens it would be different.

The game can be bought, for not much. We got ours at Big Lots a year ago.

I wanted to pick up Spanish, I had two years in school 40 years ago....at 55 forget it, I have enough stress in my life, I want to chill.....

 

[Macca1111]

You ready to grow some crazy nails on your right hand?

If the answer is sure, why not, then classical guitar may be for you!


Ok, here goes the less funny answer (because the above is still true, you will have to grow the nails for picking purposes). You will not become a virtuoso. Neither will I. Scientists have done various studies that show that the training must begin before the age of 12 for virtuosic levels to ever be reached. You will learn slower than a 20 year old, and you will have to work harder for the same level of success.

Those are the difficulties. The plusses are great tho - the enjoyment of music, the application of your talents to a new pursuit, the new synaptic pathways you'll create that will keep your brain young, the feeling of pride when you do master the new. If you're willing to do some work, and won't get bogged down in frustration, you should totally go for it.

 

[mefordis]

My dad picked up the banjo at 50 something. He's a great picker now at 66! He figured he's going to get old either way, might as well know how to play the banjo, too!

 

[Goofycampers]

You're only too old when you're dead.

 

[elgerber]

I'm a 43 yr old man with no muscial training but with very musical DW and DDs. Am I too late to start to play? I'm thinking classical guitar.

Chubster.

My dh is 42, and he asked me this exact question just last week! He didn't come up with an answer yet, but I know he is thinking about it.