15 Pieces of Guitar Wisdom From 50 YEARS of Guitar Playing (in 15 minutes)

[@jts3339]

Keith, I’m 72 and have played for over 60 years. As a veteran of many bands, I believe it’s important to find people that are compatible with you to play with. I’ve been in bands with guitarists who were better and worse players than I am, and I would rather play with an average player with an agreeable personality than a virtuoso who is an overbearing a-hole. If you can find the rare combination of a great player with a great personality you’ve got the makings of a great band.

[@markhammer643]

I feel like you're my doppelganger. Same age. Same guitar experience. Like Keith, I also began with a cheap Stella that had different colored furballs at the string ends.

[@RickBeato]

Love the new style Hypes! This is a great set of ideas to think about and put into practice.

[@alexanderball6326]

Ngl, seeing Rick Beato leave a commen here kind of blows my mind haha

[@spaghettisauce445]

oh look a pretty small channel with not a ton of subscribers is commenting

[@Fartpoopsigma]

Why is this crud here bro

[@franklinkz2451]

RICK! I KNOW WHO HE IS! 😂

[@victormarinelli5660]

Met a 27 year old guitar teacher. She was the daughter of a friend. I asked her if she would like to play in a band I put together for a musical event I host. She was interested and started practicing with us. Shortly after she started, I found out she had never played in a band. I also realized that although she was musically educated, she was not a "musician". I had asked her to play the lead to one of the songs in our set list thinking that she would enjoy standing on stage in front of an audience and playing it. She took several videos of me playing the lead in slow motion and as well defined as I could make it so she could see exactly what every finger was doing. Several practices later, she wanted to give up on it. I thought to myself....no, you need to do this. You need to get on stage and make this happen because of the confidence it would build. She scheduled to meet with me several times to work out the lead. It's not perfect by any stretch but she plays it well enough, and she'll pull it off. Two of us in the band know the lead but I can't overlook the opportunity she has and an experience she can share with her students. I have a saying, "you can't play unless you can play." Understanding music doesn't make you a musician. One more practice, event is June 15th. Standing while you play is key. My feeling is, even if you're sitting, use a strap....you won't have to hold your guitar and play it the same time.

[@larrypower8659]

Teaching the teacher-nicely done! Good on you for taking that approach. “Understanding music doesn’t make you a musician,” truer words were never spoken.

[@freeman436]

great story. and yes, stand up!

[@ragweedpollens]

I always use a strap when sitting. Keeping the guitar just at or barely above my lap. Like you said, now you're not "holding" the guitar. Any burden you can shed while playing is worth it. You can't immerse yourself in the music when you're preoccupied with not dropping or adjusting your guitar.

[@CAGED1702]

Interesting story! I like that one very much. One thing though I would like to emphasise though: understanding music doesn't make you a musician, but it can help you become a very good musician. Because "nobody got smarter by not knowing something" (quote Ross Campbell, look him up, he has heaps of valuable stuff on KZbin). Btw: I totally agree that you should always use a strap, provided that the length of the strap is correct. 🙂

[@joeturkos6767]

I started playing guitar when I was 14 and played until I was about 20. Unfortunately I stopped, for a number of reasons. After taking about 27 years off, I started playing again as a way to help me quit drinking. Over the last seven years, playing guitar has transformed from therapy, to a hobby, to a passion. Thank you and please keep up the great work.

[@NewPraetorianBlues]

Similar story, I started at 10, stopped at 16 because I found out about weed and women, sold everything except 1 electric, picked it up again at 25, and I'm 27 now, just got my first tube amp last month (65 deluxe reverb reissue). Now I'm starting to dive into pedals - it's honestly just a game changer to have money for guitar stuff. I'm so much more passionate about this now than I was when I first started. I thought I was pretty obsessed as a kid but that's nothing compared to the level of obsession now, and channels like 5WW are a huge reason behind it.

[@johnosborne3187]

Welcome back! We missed you:)

[@bassrun101]

Garry NOT Linda. Quite a few years ago, in Acoustic Guitar Magazine, I think it was, Taylor guitars ran an ad for a couple of issues that I copied and hung up on the wall in my music room. It said. "Instead of drinking after a stressful day I play guitar. My wife would never compliment me on how much my drinking has improved." I made them words to live by.

[@seanburns2669]

I hear you Joe. I started playing bass when I was 17 (i picked the instrument that nobody else wanted to play) and took to it right away. Unfortunately I was already drinking and that completely stopped me in my tracks. I got sober when I was 28, and that's when my life began, both as a person and a musician. I've played more gigs that I could count now that I'm 64, and none of that would have happened if I hadn't gotten sober one day at a time. Now I'm finally legit learning how to play guitar, and you tube channels like this are invaluable. Thanks Keith!

[@BobPerrone]

Great post. I turned 70 this year and have been playing since I was 8.Your journey was very similar to mine except my parents were kind enough to have me take live lessons from an outstanding jazz guitarist, Al Faraldi. He cemented music theory along with proper playing techniques in me. Took lessons for about 10 years until one session he had me sit in his waiting room while he played chords and single notes in the studio. I was to tell him what he was playing. Nailed it and he came up to me and said "we're done, there's nothing more I can show you". We jammed for about 20 minutes and parted ways. Still miss him and am grateful for his incredible teaching techniques. I enjoy your channel, Keith, for your philosophy of making music with less. I purged about 5 years ago leaving my main guitars and my trusty Blues Jr. Very happy...thanks again for a great post.

[@johnwashburn3793]

This truly brought me many happy memories, and it spark3d a great conversation.

[@guitrr]

That’s a great story. What a marvelous mentor you had!

[@MotoLen51]

I sometimes feel like the last 50 years have gone by in about 15 minutes...

[@davidmcgregor9144]

I've been playing 51 years. Still playing the same stuff I started playing.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

The first 18 years of life drag by so slowly and make such an impact on our minds, and then the rest goes by like a blur and 18 years old always feels like a few months ago

[@johnwashburn3793]

I saw my mother on her 85th birthday and she tapped her heart and said, "I feel 25 here"

[@mikeoneill7671]

Exactly!

[@SeanOHanlon]

Ditto.

[@lamontprospect9974]

I only have three things to say: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I'm 65 years old and only started playing electric guitar 2 years ago. Had I started watching this program before I started I would have saved a fortune in too many guitars and amps that had way too much wattage.

[@outwook]

It dawned on me that I've been playing guitar for 10 years recently. Nowhere near 50, but it feels like something significant. A part of one's personality indeed.

[@noverguy]

I'll just add really quick here my one speck of wisdom also from playing for fifty years. That is, if you ever have a guitar thats really special to you, no matter what it is, or what its worth - never sell it! Keep it with you no matter what! You will never regret it! Thanks Keith!

[@blairsmith201]

You said you had figured out you have been playing for 50 years and started to think and realized I started at 7 years old and just turned 57 last week. Its nice to be part of this 50+ club!

[@mikecarreca7864]

My birthday is also in April. I started lessons at 5, 64 years ago. I was a session player at 12. My first guitar was an acoustic and the strings and action caused my fingers bleed as well. How great the old days were.

[@PhilBearce]

Another 72 year old here, and I'm lucky enough to have a standing 'house band' gig at a local pizza pub. They asked me to be the lead guitar player and I told them I didn't really know how. They all said, "That doesn't matter, just play something". So I've been outlaw country with my tele for a few years now, and I find that every week, I seem to go farther afield on the neck and try new licks. An old dog CAN learn new tricks!

[@TheAshleywiggins]

My dad was a bass player,I was a horn player all through school,but I hated guitar players. One day in 99' ,near my bday i went into Mars music with my dad to get bass strings. I saw the new reissue Danelectros and feel in love. A convertible and a dirty thirty (about 200$). My dad has passed since and over 20 years later, I still play em both. Music is a connection. My only advice... have fun and enjoy it.

[@ridleysomeliana-lauer5814]

So this is a weirdly sappy and sentimental comment, please bear with me… This video is the closest thing I’ll have to having my dad sit down and talk with me about guitar. He was absent my entire life and the only thing we ever vaguely connected on was music, especially metal guitar. I’m only 30, so I don’t have the full scope of understanding as a lot of the comments here, but something about this video feels warm. I wish I had this video to show myself at 11. Thanks, Keith.

[@fivewattworld]

So nice if you to say man.

[@eus8964]

Thanks for sharing your story. As someone who lives away from home, this struck a weird chord with me. Hope you’re still learning and practicing. Take care, friend!

[@tomjones2348]

Great presentation! I'm 67, played guitar for over 50 years, played classical violin in 5 symphonies, play classical piano, and love it all. There are only so many free hours in a day, so I focus now on classical piano, and jazz guitar. I play daily, and enjoy it.

[@davidfreiboth1360]

My first guitar was also a Stella but my guitar teacher also had a drum kit and before long my guitar lessons turned into drum lessons. Your advice to play with others has enriched my life. I do not identify as a singer, (being a drummer and all) but when I couldn’t get band mates to step up to the mic I swung the boom over my trap set and let her rip. I’ve always enjoyed playing but when I took a risk I never thought I’d take, enjoyment turned into fun. I had a blast. Thanks for the encouragement.

[@oscarenfotos]

I’ve played guitar for 37 years and just now feel like I’m getting it. My first guitar was awful, but it taught me perseverance and to appreciate a good one. I’ve only played in public twice: the first time I threw up, and the second time I played terribly, but won a contest! Learning guitar is like playing snakes and ladders; it’s a wild ride, but enjoy the journey. Thanks for the 50 years of wisdom! 🎸✨

[@bg9419]

Keith, I love all your videos and have been a subscriber for a long time. Still surprised we haven't heard you play. You've built an audience of guitar fans and have been playing for 50 years. I'm sure we'd all love to hear you when you're ready. Thanks for all the history lessons.

[@fivewattworld]

I play early in the channel. It’s hard to find the time to record now, but maybe on some live streams.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

2:38 I agree with this statement so much. Since I’ve settled into blues my playing has improved more in three or four years than in the previous 25 I spent trying to play multiple styles.

[@iandodd7828]

I’ll be 64 this summer, at which time I will have been playing for 2 years (not counting the times I started and quit as a teenager, in my 20s, in my 40s). I bought a Squier Strat because all I wanted to play was the blues. Started taking lessons at my local music shop with a teacher who has become a friend. Looking forward to joining the Golden Guitar Club when I’m 112.

[@NorthShoreMike]

just turned 63. Started playing at 48. This is the best advice I've ever seen on any platform. Thanks, Keith!

[@francescotenti193]

At 72, just a month ago, I picked up my 1st guitar at age 11. Your points/advice are 100% true, from picking a playable guitar, much easier today than in the 60's, to a good teacher, and then practice, practice, practice and playing with others. All great advice to enjoy this wonderful instrument, well said!

[@markarevalo2707]

Hey Keith, this is gold! Especially the "noodling vs practicing properly" is spot on! We've all thought about this, but mostly this is fine for varying levels of ambition with guitar playing... to be established guitarists, well that's a lot of dedication, and like famous actors, those type of people are 'hell bent' on success! : )

[@bryantrockfield9865]

Been playing for 66 years.... Started at 13.... What a journey, what a ride..... precious memories..... the instruments & the people...... and it's not over..... !!....

[@aleji0]

I'm 44 and this November will mark 30 years of guitar. At the point when you are counting in decades, guitar and music in general haven't been hobbies or interests for a very long time, they've become a cornerstone of who you are as a person . At least that's my experience with it. Also, I would have guessed ten years (speaking of decades) younger, Keith. We should all be so fortunate. Great vid, and very accurate so far.

[@shawnhuff3920]

I was born April 2nd 1974 and I like some 50's 60's and 70's 80's and early 90's guitar and bass guitar music 😊

[@richardfoskett8903]

Happy Birthday for a couple of months ago, and yes - we still need you even though you’re 64!

[@teodelnorte]

You're 64?! Wow. In Ireland we'd say you've had a good paper round! As you look young. Thanks for the great content. For the most music from the least gear by the way, may I suggest a G&L S-500. That thing does tele, strat, p90-esque tones, all in one!

[@jloch9312]

I'm 64 but started playing at 13. I found myself nodding to most of what you said but I'm entirely self taught. I admit that I would possibly have been a better guitarist if I had some lessons but I guess I'll never know. The other thing that I would possibly add is, 'Learn to read music.' Learning to read opened me up to so much more music. Indeed centuries of music. This has always kept the guitar fresh, interesting and, more importantly, fun!

[@BarryHanson_aka_BarelyHandsome]

COOL... my first guitar was a STELLA with a MEL BAY guitar book for my TWELFTH birthday!!!!! I'm 78 now... GREAT VIDEO Keith!!!

[@dontwan4266]

Playing standing up is something overlooked to often.Great advice.

[@dalecoffing8655]

Thanks Keith! I have played for well over 50 years, and currently have a student that I'm teaching. (He's a south paw BTW). No lesson books, we do what he wants to do in the way of songs. It is working much better than the lesson books. I do throw in some theory along the way, to explain why chord progression work and are pleasing to the ear. I started playing guitar and taking lessons because I didn't make the Little League team. I'm 71 and not playing baseball but I'm still playing guitar. Started playing with my dad in a dance band as a teen, back in the 60's, as well as the high school jazz band. Playing with other people is so important. Have played in our church for well over 20 years, played with a Gospel group for many years and several musicals over the years. I recently landed a gig in the pit for The Wedding Singer and Beautiful Carol King in a nearby summer stock theater. It is kicking my butt! I will be sharing this vid with my student.

[@spkay31]

64 and been playing for 57 years (started taking lessons at 7) and really great advice. Also played in church bands and encourage people do that if available and interested. Something you glossed over but I encourage people to try and sing even if they don't have the greatest singing voice. Not to become a great singer but it can make playing songs more interesting and fun and certainly even becoming an average singer can help you in a band situation, even if only providing backing vocals.

[@terndrups]

This type of wisdom is priceless. Thank you for sharing it.

[@gordonbradbury8996]

Thanks Keith. 50 years of experience means a great deal to those of us who wont have that option. I started playing at 50! Many great ideas shared.

[@eddiecarter9831]

There was so much great advice here. Love it! I'm 10 years behind you ... started at 13 and now 53. I've played in rock bands, metal bands, folkish bands, and bluegrass bands. I'm now doing solo gigs and trying to incorporate a little of everything, or be versatile enough to cater to different venues. That's probably the opposite of your advice of finding one style and doing it well, but I am finally after all these years truly finding what music thrills me to play. It's definitely not metal or bluegrass, but I think the blues, rock, and country music that I play are all very closely related. I will admit though that I have missed playing with others, and I hope to at least jam with some friends from time to time.

[@hisproperty1438]

G'day Keith, Thanks for another great video, & welcome to the 50 Year Guitar Club. I bought my first guitar when I was 9 or 10, & I turned 60 last August. A friend of mine told me that she was going to buy her first guitar a few years ago, & I gave her the best advice I had - the only thing better than the day you buy your first guitar is the day you buy your next guitar. Keep up the good work Andrew

[@gregmiller7123]

I started playing at 10 and now at 66 I realize how much joy the guitar has brought me. I’ve never played professionally but made great friends and had a blast just playing at jams. It has been my rock during tough times. During my two year battle with cancer, playing for five minutes often helped me push on. Your advice is great but for us non-professionals I would add to just play what brings you happiness instead of trying to be the next Page, Clapton or Hendrix. I always try to improve but accept my limitations.

[@markroylance1584]

I started in 1970 and still love playing !! Keep thinking i might stop eventually but i'm hooked and will never grow out of it!

[@anthonytanner96]

Hearing your age reminds me of when Oliver Sacks once described a time when a beloved music therapist announced that she was retiring. Everyone was shocked that some one so young could retire but it turned out she was much older than she appeared. Hearing that, he theorized that a lifetime of music had kept her physically younger than her chronological age.

[@kevinwaynenorthen269]

Great video! Like many others here, this has me thinking about my own guitar playing journey. It's been just over 29 years since I got my first guitar. That old Memphis Strat copy is long gone now, but I do still have one from that initial lineage. Traded the Memphis for a Samick, which I later traded for a Peavey, which was traded for an Ibanez GAX70. He’s beat up and covered in stickers, but there's something about that old GAX70 that's kept me coming back to him for 26 years. He's the first electric guitar I ever really bonded with. The neck is thin, fast, and comfortable to play. He got new pickups (DiMarzio Evolution bridge, PAF pro neck) in early 1999, about a year after I got him. He's now one of 9 electrics in my collection, but ol' Hot Rod will always be my sentimental favorite. He's helped me write a lot of my favorite songs, too.

[@Cajundaddydave]

Great advice! I too am a member of the 50+ club and agree with everything you shared here. A great teacher in the room, dedication to focused practice, playing for joy, and gigging with others will take you far. I played today on our church worship team and we grooved. I am no guitar hero but I have had the pleasure of gigging with some great musicians over the years and I know how to get it done with others live. At this point, we play because we must. Cheers!

[@gsbguitarsgsb679]

I’ve just turned 64 as well a couple weeks ago, I started playing at about 12 years old but seriously learning how to play at about 15 years old. That all hit me a couple years ago or so. Now I have a new outlook on learning the things I took for granted and figured I’d be ok without. We really never stop learning, we just learn differently now. Noodling for me helps me loosen up my hands and arms. As usual great video and thank you…

[@frishdaw]

Keith, I hope I look as good as you do at 64. Always enjoy your videos and the wisdom of experience you pass along.

[@kateandrews8506]

Good advice. I started playing at school but got discouraged as a lefty, playing a Right handed acoustic with very high action. At 50 I started again but this time with a lefty tele. Now, at 58, I love my guitar hobby and am enjoying the journey, evolving my skills and knowledge as well as only playing songs from genres I love.

[@Mattguitarmania]

Thanks Keith! I always dig your videos and this one is especially encouraging. Keep up the good work!

[@timchalmers1700]

Yep. Well said. I started playing almost 60 years ago - admittedly there were a few years in the middle when I didn't play at all. So yeah, I agree with your thoughts.

[@CharlieMoney777]

Keith, your videos are the absolute best. I’ve watched almost all of them. 95% are amazing. People need fair compliments to keep going. I hope my complement keeps you going strong.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Ray

[@benjohn2860]

When my son started playing, I got him a little recording set up and urged him to record, listen back, try and play over etc and learn how to perform properly… it took a good few years but he gradually started to implement it as a tool and now has a good recording set up at home, he’s 26 now and makes some pretty decent music 👍🏻 good video, sound advice

[@dougthornton6884]

Spot on about playing with others. When I was 10 my parents paid for guitar lessons for me.(thanks Julie Jay my teacher(RIP)) They bought me a Hagstrom II guitar.(wish I still had it). That was 1965. Zoom forward to the early 80s when I got into my first band with some of my friends. World of difference playing with other folks. I think the sheer enjoyment of the "mix" of players is almost like a drug. We all could not wait for the next rehearsal and or gig. And everyone got way better, quickly ! Two of my bandmates are gone now, but I still listen to the raw tapes of our rehearsals and am in awe of how we sounded together. Thanx Keith for a super video.....

[@hearpalhere]

Happy belated birthday Keith! I wish you many, many more in good health and happiness. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us, some really great advice here for sure. I recently passed 30 years of playing guitar and I can echo many of them. 🙂

[@jaywalshmusicandsong1736]

Great all around advice. What made a huge difference for me was recording rehearsals and gigs, usually just audio, listening thoroughly, and being REAL honest with myself. I have always done alot of improvising, and recording was crucial to eliminating my annoying habits.

[@telecasterbear]

I am loading up my trolley now to go play a job with my old man cover band to keep my chops together. Enjoy the ride.

[@briangardner5905]

Keith, Really good information. I started as a drummer in 1969 with a very inexpensive Crest set from a Montgomery Ward's catalogue, until I worked all Summer and purchased a nice Ludwig set for my self. Later in a quasi-Crosby, Stills and Nash original acoustic group, playing percussion, I was the only one with money to purchase the Martin 12-string guitar we needed for the group. When the group broke up a few years later, the guitar was of course given back to me and I started playing it and fell in love with songwriting. To date I have written over 80 original songs, am lucky to have a mentor in a fellow that is a ghost writer and has 7 grammy's to his credit and I am on some kind of streak, as I have written 3-4 songs each month for a while. Your comments regarding saving for more expensive guitars is only slightly rebuffed by me, given that I own probably the best sounding guitar for under $200 - the Yamaha FG-800, which the company re-did the internal bracing for and wow!! what a beautiful sound this guitar makes! Being 72, but still in good health, I am just more comfortable sitting while playing and in that position I play better as well. Regarding playing with others, I host a Sunday afternoon acoustic jam at my home in Las Vegas. Some of the players are slightly better or worse than me, but as leader of the jam, I have made it clear that this get together represents a safe arena where no one is going to be criticized by anyone else and trying bits on covers and my originals is encouraged. It's been great. With all sorts of good feedback and interaction among the three guitarists (including myself), a sax player, bass player, female vocalist/percussionist and male vocalist who are regulars of the Sunday Acoustic Jam. Some of the players have told me they strictly do not want to play live and that's OK, as the Sunday Jam is not because we are rehearsing for a gig or forming a band. But the one guitarist who still has some slight difficulty with rhythm and the bass player, have told me playing live would be great...so we'll see and I certainly appreciate your impart on this video. In closing, since I have been playing and performing since 1969 - for 55 years here are a few thoughts: 1. Stay strictly away from drugs including pot and musicians who are into that - they will waste your time. Do not drink while playing - would you drink on your job? And do not abuse alcohol. Develop a good sense of rhythm; leave your ego and attitude in a dumpster far away from the stage or rehearsal site and generate within you a love for the audience and if a senior citizen couple ever requests "Kansas City" because they were married there decades ago and they are celebrating their anniversary - instead of either having a pained look come onto your face or negative feedback to this couple regarding their request for a song you may hate or have played 5 billion times - realize that you can make the band look like heroes by getting the audience to cheer on Bill & Sally and their anniversary by - yep playing Kansas City with honesty, energy and professionalism. Cheers - Brian

[@LRHutch]

Great video Kieth❤. Really great advice for new players. I started playing at 5, several nearby neighbors also played. So we all would get together and just jam together and learn from each other. Playing with other people is so very important. As far as the music theory book it was great to take to the bathroom read a page then rip it out and wipe with it. Your ears, eyes, and hands are all you need to learn with.

[@PedalChainsAddiction]

I love “enjoying the instrument at the level you are.” Always remember to spend time having fun without being super self-critical. Great advice. Thank you!

[@jatin7361]

I agree with every single piece of wisdom you suggested. I humbly offer one that was a big help for myself. Always keep at least one guitar out on a wall hanger or stand at your home. The ability to have it within grasp on a whim makes it much easier to get a few minutes in whenever the urge hits you as opposed to going to a special room, opening up a case, tuning up, etc. Once I did that I started playing a lot more and we all know how important that is to our journey. Thank you for the great sharing of wisdom!

[@hendrixson_2806]

Your videos are simply brilliant, you're one of the most inspiring historians and players ive ever seen around, whenever i feel lost on the instrument i tend to spin around your channel and videos and it helps me to snap back in and gain the inspiration i need to play sometimes, truly thank you for all the amazing content and just keep rocking man, you truly are great Keith!

[@JillandKevin]

Keith, We pretty much followed the same path in music, including Out first Stella guitars! I just turned 70, and am out performing, backing my amazing wife (Jill & Kevin on Facebook) almost every weekend. One of the only differences that I actually build electric guitars (Turbocaster Electric Guitars on Facebook), and am working on perfecting a guitar that covers acoustic Archtop Swing rhythms all the way thru early Chicago Blues! My latest is VERY close!!! Your advice is pretty much spot on, and what I tell others and my students. Thanks!

[@jimgeorger4452]

Have played for 60 years and enjoyed hearing this summary,..Thanks!

[@thomaspervanje]

As usual, nicely done, great insights. I’ve been playing for 50+ years myself. One suggestion might be: never get rid of your very first professional grade guitar. Others may come and go, but the first one is pretty important. I’ve had my ‘73 Guild F-50 since the summer of 1974 and the journey the guitar has taken with me is part of my story. I play mostly electric now, but the. Guild still sounds and plays great. The other thing I have found is that sometimes guitars come into your life to serve a purpose for a time and then leave. I’ve tried on a few occasions to go back by acquiring a formerly owned model thinking that I am missing some kind of magic. But to no avail.

[@That52TeleGuy]

That 50 year milestone is a scary revelation isn’t it? I to hit the mark and almost can’t remember not playing guitar now. What have I learned? Joy! I ignore the day to day and can immerse myself in playing. I play live once a week in church with a great band. We have an established core group with others rotating in and out. I was always a solo guy until the band, about 18 years now, and it has changed me for sure. The biggest change was going from being the acoustic guy to the electric guy when we had the electric player leave. I have lost some finger style chops but now working on getting that back.

[@5guitarz]

I credit 5 Watt for challenging me most with your tag line, “Getting the most music from the least gear” and especially a video you posted a few years ago about are you a player or a collector? I realized I was a collector because I had so much gear sitting around I never played - and none of it was “collection” worthy. You made me start thinking and I realized I needed to sell a ton of stuff and focus only on the few things I used. So I did and with the money, I took my wife on a cruise to Alaska! Today I’m down to 5 (Strat, Tele, PRS, Hag Viking, and surprisingly my current main gig guitar is a Brawley I bought for $200). Anyway, this video is as impactful to me as that one was. I won’t be taking my wife on any cruises, but I will approach my “noodling” differently. Thanks for what you do!

[@trubadorphotography2541]

I’ll be turning 61 soon. I learned piano for about a year when I was in college, but never kept up with it. Give me a couple minutes and I’ll probably be able to play the first five major scales, though. 🎹 And, even though I worked with two bands for a decade in my 20s (lyric writing, stage managing, lighting, promotion, etc.) and even working tangentially in the music industry for the last two decades, I’ve always wanted to learn an instrument but was never in a situation to be able to. As a kid growing up, my older siblings were taking various music lessons, but by the time I was coming of age money was tight in the family. I would be given toy instruments as gifts, but never got the opportunity to be given lessons. In my 40s and early 50s, I bought my first guitars and took lessons for not quite a year on two different occasions, but again time and finances put a quash on it. I have four guitars (an acoustic and three electrics) hanging on the wall collecting dust as decorations and a first version Katana amp. I chuckled at the image of the Jay Turser in your video because I actually have one that I bought from Rocke Grace (the keyboardist for Joe Walsh in the ‘70s, and who co-wrote “Rocky Mountain Way”) at his estate sale. Although I’ve been on a very long pause on learning guitar, I still want to try again. The style(s) that appeal to me for what I’d like to learn are somewhat wide ranging, and most are slightly off the beaten path. Artists like Jude Cole, Crowded House, the Rembrandts, Farm Dogs, Vertical Horizon, Sass Jordan, the Delvins, Paul Carrack, Duncan Sheik, Jars of Clay, and Glen Hansard while tossing in some Toto/Steve Lukather, Journey, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Doobie Brothers, James Taylor, Jim Croce, Al Stewart. I just need to get off my a**, blow off the dust on the guitars, and try again. It’s a love/hate relationship, I guess. 😎🎸〰️〰️🎛️🔊🎶🎶

[@sunwentai1]

Fascinating. I'm 46 and have just begun learning to play guitar two months ago. I've been praticing chords and scales for 2 months, but now, I know it's time to start learning to play songs I want to play.

[@shawnhuff3920]

I just turned fifty years old 😳 you have been playing guitar since I was born 😊

[@garypannone7755]

Everything you said hit home HARD. Number one get a good first guitar. Practice with other people, what you play at home you can't play with others. Starting over in my 60's is hard but I am sticking with it. Wish I would have done this 20 or 30 years ago.

[@procurorick]

I started playing live in my early 20's and it really helped me improve. Playing live gives meaning to your practice.

[@larrypower8659]

I started on drums in 7th grade, 12 years old. Great training, recommend it for any musician. At 13, in 8th grade, I started hanging out and playing once in a while with some older guys who had an actual band that was pretty good-Ventures, Duane Eddy, Link Wray (“Rumble!”), Elvis, Roy Orbison … Early ‘60s rock and roll. Honestly, I could play pretty well but had to borrow a drum kit. We couldn’t afford one. But I was taking drum lessons so I learned about rhythm, beats, counting, timing, and time signature: the basic language of music. Like I said, great training. Once I started playing with their band, I just gravitated toward guitar-electric guitar, to be precise. That was it for me. The lead guitar player was my age and one of the two best players in my area. We became best friends and I learned guitar basics from playing with him for several years. By age 18, and in college, it was time to find my own path. I played both drums and guitar til 14-15, then gave up drums. By 19 I was playing professionally and that became my life-a tough path, but I’m still on it 64 years later. Play, people, just play. Especially WITH others and FOR others. I can’t agree with Keith more about that. Playing in front of people separates the bedroom/cellar players from the serious players. Keith, you really “get it.” Thank you!

[@GeorgePatmas]

You're an April 1st, im a June 1st!! At 29 years old It's 24 years on guitar for me! Loved this video! Cant wait for more!

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

I started playing guitar when I was a kid. I didn’t really start taking it seriously until I was about 16. I stopped for a long time, only recently coming back to it 4 years ago. I’m about to turn 50. I’m better now than I ever was before. Makes me wonder what I could have done had I never stopped playing. Things are starting to come real easy. Things I worked on years ago that never really took shape are now starting to bloom. Never stop playing.

[@davegto67]

Wise words, Keith. Thank you! I always enjoy your videos.

[@IanNorsworthy]

Thank you for passing on this experience - I needed this, as I've been feeling a bit stuck recently, so thank you :)

[@tone1798]

Thank you Keith, I’m going to share this with my son. Every subject you covered in this episode is and will be what he’s doing yet going thru. He just started setting in or doing solo acoustic playing at our local community center. I know that he will find this invaluable!✌️❤️🎸

[@JAL-cc8jd]

I’ll be 55 in a few days, got my first guitar at age 6. Took lessons and played fairly regularly (and not very well) until after college, sometimes going many years without even owning or touching a guitar, but the basics never left me. Last fall, I decided to really get into guitars again and stick with it, realizing that I’ll probably never play as well as I’d like, but to just have fun with it. I find that I love guitars as works of art just as much as playing them, and have started to collect them as a secondary hobby. There’s nothing like new guitar day! I’ve set a self-imposed limit (with input from my wife 😂) of 20 guitars, plus or plus one. So it will require the occasional “thinning of the herd”. But I’m having a blast and the guitars are like my babies. I try to give each of them time and attention, which isn’t always easy to do, but it’s a lot of fun. Now I need to work on getting better at actually playing well! 😊

[@dinosaursr]

Same here, however started with bass, then drums and still drum but guitar is main instrument. 50 years playing music/64 years on this earth. Time flies.

[@sambone8348]

Hey man, half of 2024 is just about over ALREADY, so let's make the rest of this year COUNT !!!

[@georged9615]

I'm ten years ahead of you, sonny! 60 years!

[@jsarty54]

I started when I was 65 , have no big expectations, just enjoying my time with my guitar.

[@nine9whitepony526]

I'm a great example of the guy who doesn't pay enough attention to his amp, or rank it as high as his guitar. It's like every time I tell myself, my next big guitar purchase is gonna be an Amp, I end up seeing a Guitar I like and wind up buying that instead. I loved this video, thanks Keith.

[@PantanoHD]

im 18 and i just wanted to say thank you for the advice. watcjing your videos is always a blast, eapecially the short history ones

[@thomascleveland]

As an art teacher, sometimes I give two people the opposite type of advice depending on where they're at. Some people need to hear to slow down and focus, some people need channel, and get aggressive

[@hawkfan1212]

I've been playing off and on for quite awhile but I always manage to learn from this channel! Sage advice there. Thank you!

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

I’ve been playing for about 63 years. I am left-handed but my folks (not knowing any better) bought me a right-handed guitar. I held it left-handed but my teacher didn’t think “Hey I wonder if this kid is left-handed?” Instead he took the guitar away and turned it back to right-handed. It totally blew my mind and I quit taking lessons after only a week. Over time I took the guitar out from under the bed and began messing with it right handed. Now 63 years later I’m a mediocre but happy guitarist

[@aidan6471]

that's exactly what happened to me i've been playing for two years

[@1968nik]

My yougest son is a a leftie and I made the same mistake - tired teaching him some basics with a right handed guitar - realised I was being an idiot and bought him a left handed guitar - he's really taken off since then

[@davegto67]

@@1968nik As a left handed player and teacher, I'm glad you did that. As a beginner player, handedness can go either way, but in my experience playing with the dominant hand always has better results.

[@fawkesandhound]

@@davegto67I would advise all left handers to play righty. As a lefty myself I can’t IMAGINE putting the intricacies of fretting and chord shapes into my dummy right hand. What does the right do? Hold the pick? Your right wrist and forearm strum, your left HAND does the hard work.

[@davegto67]

@@fawkesandhound By your argument, all right handed people should be playing guitar left handed.

[@ZigbertD]

I'm five years younger than you and have been playing five years fewer, my early years of guitar playing very closely mirror your experience. At twelve, I started lessons (fortunately with a better guitar, my older brother's Fender Mustang), but the only teacher I (or more correctly, my parents) could find in our little town was not exactly teaching what I was interested in. He started in teaching me sight reading from a book and the first song we tried to tackle was "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain." It did not go well. He was actually a fantastic jazz player and a really cool guy. He looked a little like Ned Flanders from The Simpsons and sounded kind of like Bing Crosby. He quickly figured out I was not learning the notes on the staff and was just playing from memory. He'd say, "Hold on there, Robert. Can you play that note right there?", pointing to a random note in the middle of a passage on the page. Uhhh.... "Now Robert, did you practice reading this week?" Uhh...yikes! Anyway, I stopped taking lessons and fiddled around with the guitar a bit for a while on my own, and finally fell in with a group of slightly older kids who were better than me and who were playing what I wanted to play way back then (AC/DC, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin and so forth). I was in awe of these kids, a couple of them were remarkably talented. Plus they were in high school while I was still in middle school, and I felt really cool that they'd let me come over to jam with them, even though I was younger and pretty bad at guitar. I would guess I absorbed more fundamental guitar playing knowledge at a faster rate in the couple of years around those guys than I did at any other time in my playing. Which leads me to my tip for less experienced players. If you can, find people who are better than you to play with. They can teach you so much in a real playing experience, and it is so incredibly valuable to have people who are up ahead of you on the path to serve as a guidepost and inspiration for where you want to be. One of the kids was good enough that he played lead guitar in a cover band with adults, and his bandmates were serving the exact same role for him, leading the way for him to progress. Maybe I was fortunate that these kids were pretty encouraging and inclusive and didn't razz me (not too much, anyway) for my shortcomings. I think they enjoyed my effusive admiration and praise for them (totally genuine), so they let me keep coming around. Addendum to this: if you are a little further ahead, do the same for some less experienced players. You will be helping them more than you may know, it's good for your development to teach (even very informally), and you'll get to feel like the cool smart guy when some goofy kid like me is being a big fanboy around you.

[@bldallas]

Wow Keith, I’m two years younger than you, but our starts with the guitar are so similar. I started when I was 10, but with a Yamaha nylon string guitar that my Mom had bought for my Dad, hoping he would learn to play (he didn’t). And my first teacher had my Mom buy me that same Mel Bay booklet and he was teaching me “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,” when I wanted to learn Led Zeppelin. I also quit because of that. Your comments about noodling really hit home, too. I do that all the time, too. I’m a big fan of your channel and I always assumed it was because of your great content. But I’m now thinking our similar tastes and backgrounds has to at least subconsciously weigh in, too! Thanks again for what you do. It’s truly appreciated. EDITED TO ADD: though I haven’t been to the range in years, I’ve also loved shooting pistols (plus bird hunting and clays) for almost as long as I’ve lived the guitar. Small world.

[@chiefline7084]

Been playing for 49 yrs and have played every guitar and amp imaginable and have spent more money than I even want to add up. Who knew that the only guitar that I play after all these years is a 58 model flying V through a Fender Bassman. I never would’ve bet on that combination but it just does it for me and after all these years that’s all that matters

[@danielperkins4610]

These are all excellent ! I would also record myself on an I phone, because if you sound good on an i phone you know you sound good!

[@Last_one_before_I_go]

Another fine video. I look forward to many more. Thanks Keith

[@jackvelut1427]

This is great! I have been playing on and off for 40 years, but the last year plus I have been really digging into the guitar. I practice everyday learning modes learning chords and jamming over back tracks on KZbin. My problem I have to play with others. I used to back in the day but not as of late.

[@AthAnunlcuk]

I was 14 when i start playing guitar​ and i'm going to be 20 this year. I think learn to play bass and go on a gig playing bass improves my guitar skill a lot, grove, timing, not overplaying. Btw, i really love this video. Thank you for making this.​

[@michael_caz_nyc]

This was so great. I can relate. Enjoyed it. Very informative. oNe LovE from NYC

[@kevinjbiro6849]

So cool. I love it. Your guitar journey mirrors my own. Thanks for sharing your journey.

[@embreesmith7613]

Thanks Keith. 🙂

[@rwflick]

Great video. I can’t agree more with the “play with other people” advice and playing gigs. I waited too long to start that and it has really helped me advance. There’s only so much you can do and learn in the basement by yourself!

[@skateborg]

Happy Belated Birthday Keith! ☘ I hit 67 on June 9 this year. Feels great.

[@kurtniederstadt97]

Excellent vid!!! Thanks Keith, you brought back great memories!! God Bless

[@ianparr1533]

Wise words indeed. I would have benefitted a lot from hearing this 30 years ago when I started taking guitar seriously. Luckily, my better half has been great at keeping me on track - nudging me to get lessons, learn songs, play with others, don't buy more gear, play the stuff you have etc. For me, amps definitely need more thought than guitars. There's fuel for more discussion there, for sure.

[@shaundarley4108]

🇬🇧 Another great episode. Thanks Keith. My ‘Five Watt World’ T shirt arrived yesterday. Simple to order. Quick delivery. All guitar nerds in the UK should get one.

[@jackrutkowski7038]

What helped me too was private lessons, playing along with albums, and cds. Keep learning. 53 years.

[@benjaminhawthorne1969]

Happy Birthday, my friend! I am turning "Double Nickels (55)" this month. I'll sing Sammy Hagar's ("I Can't Drive) 55," if you'll sing The Beatles, "When I'm 64!" Getting older happens to the best of us and it is NOT for wimps, but it sure beats the alternative! My friend Gene was born in 1928. He is 95. I suppose that he'd call us "Punks!" 😁