Why Adults Are Secretly Awesome at Learning Guitar

Why Adults Are Secretly Awesome at Learning Guitar

Hey guys, Brad Litton from SimpleGuitar.com. This blog post transcribes my YouTube video on why your age is an asset, not a liability — and the practical first steps (plus the number-one thing that determines success).

"I'm too old." "I wish I'd learned as a kid." "It's too late." Wrong. Adults have serious advantages. You're exactly the right age to start. I've got your back.

The Myth: You're Too Old

I've taught kids and adults for years. Unequivocally: adults typically pick up guitar faster than kids.

Adults usually have a more developed sense of rhythm, better ears, and they can focus. You've got discipline. You've got actual passion. A lot of kids get dragged to lessons by mom or grandma. Some never catch the bug and later wish they'd stuck with it.

You've already got the want-to.

The thing that holds adults back is also a strength: that good ear. You can tell when you're in the suck stage. Everybody sucks at first. Hendrix sucked at first. I still suck. Six-year-olds will play something that's technically not great and think they're the greatest thing in the world. I love that enthusiasm. They can't hear how it sounds to a trained ear. That's not what matters for them.

As an adult: "Yeah, that did not sound good. However, because I'm dedicated, I'll keep getting better." Get through the suck stage faster than kids do.

Science backs this up too — you can learn an instrument as fast as kids, if not faster, because you're motivated and you can focus. 30, 50, 70 — never too old.

How to Get Started

Get a guitar. You don't need a $5,000 acoustic. A student of mine had a couple of those. You don't have to. A solid beginner guitar is enough. Please pay at least a couple hundred if you can — I haven't seen much decent under $100 that I can personally vouch for.

Learn to tune. That's one of the first things. You need to understand what notes are.

Play real music right away. I'm not wasting your time on Twinkle Twinkle. You're too old for that. Songs you like.

Pick the guitar that matches the music you want. Acoustic only? Get acoustic. Anything electric? Get electric. Skills transfer. You can do both. Electric is actually easier to start on than acoustic.

Keep it simple. Be consistent. That's the key. You'll be amazed how fast you progress.

Proof: Regular People, Not Prodigies

Sarah, 45-year-old mom, started last year. She's playing at family gatherings — Wonderwall and stuff. Consistent. Having fun.

Mike, 62-year-old retiree, stayed consistent, played Sweet Home Alabama at an open mic.

Gail — I don't have permission to tell you her age; she's the same age as my parents. Started from zero. Consistent for close to 10 years. Playing in bands, still doing lessons, learning songs, playing solos. At my music school we joke that everybody wants to be as cool as Gail. She's the coolest.

If they can do it, you can do it.

The Number-One Thing

You are never too old to chase this. Passion and persistence are what you need. You're not just learning an instrument — you're unlocking a part of yourself.

Get a guitar. Start. Grab the free Top 10 guide below. You've got this. If you want a simple place to start, grab my free Top 10 Things to Learn on Guitar First at http://simpleguitar.com/top10.

And hang out with other adult guitar players in the Simple Guitar Facebook group: http://facebook.com/groups/simpleguitar.

About the Author
Brad from Simple Guitar helps adult learners play the songs they love without the frustration. Visit simpleguitar.com for more free resources and lessons.