How to learn and Play guitar Over 40 for Beginners

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Are you learning guitar for the first time, or coming back to it after a break? 🤔

[@arnold1329]

Probably one of the best guitar related KZbin videos that I have seen so far. I am over 50 and have been learning guitar by myself 2 years now. Patient is the best tip. Thanks a lot!

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Thanks for you comment. It really means a lot to me. Yep. Patience is KEY. I often tell people : " what if you just could 1% better than you were yesterday? In a year you would be 365% percent better !" Probably even more . Simply because the better you get , the more you want to , and enjoy playing. I hope I can help you in your journey . Thanks again.

[@johnphilpott5102]

54 this year. Over 25 years since i last picked up a guitar. Now jumping back into it. Told my brain I'm starting from scratch so this may take some time😂 my choice of guitar was a les Paul, always liked them. So last weekend went out and bought one. No turning back now.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Nice! Welcome back ! Excellent choice on the Les Paul . For me learning has actually been easier as an adult as opposed to when I was young . Plus , I’m learning things I want to learn this go round . I hope I can help you in your journey .💪🏻. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@TheAndrewmcnelis]

Your SG is looking really great man.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Thanks man! I’m still really digging it. I’ll be doing a setup video on it this weekend 🤘🏻💪🏻

[@cerealkiller5688]

I gotta chime in here. First off I dig this channel and I hope you get tons of subs.. You appear to be a true garage player that loves to get through the daily grind and then spend time jamming in the man cave. I can totally relate. I'm 56 and started playing at 51 on a whim. I did not leave the house that day planning to buy a guitar. it just happened. 5 years later I can play tons of songs that I grew up listening to and it still blows my mind. I never thought I could do any of this. I'm also very much a lefty and I've learned to play right handed. So if that's what you want it can be done. Billy Corgan and Mark knoppfler are both lefty playing backwards. Regarding, will you accomplish learning to play or will you quit? For me the realization was, do you enjoy practicing? It's that simple. If you find that you are looking forward to getting the daily obligations taken care of and are yearning to grab the guitar there's a good chance you will follow through and not be one of the 90% of those who quit. Like headbanger says the short practices will quickly become as long as your free time allows. Also, if you're like me there's no one to help with gear purchase decisions and starting out mistakes will be made. I made many of them 5 years ago. Some I still live with, some I'v moved on from. It's all part of learning. Don't ever give up. Enjoy the Pyric and micro victories. They come slowly but they do come. One last thing, don't place expectations on yourself. It just sets you up for defeat. If you're a talentless hack like me just take it as it comes. All it takes is little dogged determination. Just enjoy playing. One last thing. I have found that practice times practically erases the problems, setback and disappointments that come as part of everyone's daily grind through life. The guitar is a great escape from the thoughts in your head.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Extremely well said my man! 🤘🏻 Thanks for the compliments and for watching! I really am just a regular guy in his garage having fun and trying to share it with the world. I’m working in a few song lessons to come out next week . Stay tuned !

[@ricardoleite6351]

Im exactly 40 years old and am started learning again since my youth I love it thank you for your channel

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Awesome! 🤘🏻 glad you’re back at it. I hope I can help you in your journey 💪🏻

[@DadLearnsGuitar]

Cool video. I’m 36 and picked up guitar on June 3 of this year. Previously I played guitar at 18 for about 6 months. Practiced very little and didn’t learn very much. Now at 36 I practice for hours a day. Just whenever I can. I have started uploading some shorts to my channel here to track my progress. I play a certain piece and put in the title how many days it has been since I started. Hopefully I can look back and see how far I’ve come. Thanks for the tips!

[@HeadbangersLocal]

That’s awesome ! I’m gonna check out your vids . Glad to have you back amongst us guitarists 💪🏻. Thanks for watching and commenting I hope I can help in your journey.

[@wagonet]

I played in my 20s and quit till now. I've been able to surpass my previous skills and limitations and love learning it now.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

That sounds exactly like me! I am waaay better now than I was when I was younger. Thanks for watching and commenting.🤘

[@randrothify]

Great tips! Got back into playing during COVID after almost 25 year break and all the motor skills and coordination were gone. I had trouble accurately just moving between chord shapes to say nothing about scales, bends, and vibrato. Patience is indeed the key. A couple of other things that are under appreciated include keeping your guitar in tune, learn how to do a basic set-up, and find some guitar tones from an amp or whatever FX unit that inspire you. It’s deflating to not sound good or have the guitar feel good and easy to play and not know why. Most times it is because you are out of tune, the action is too high, or the tone you’ve dialed in is lifeless, small, and boxy because you didn’t add in a little bit of reverb or delay to give your sound some depth. Knowing how to set up your instrument will save you money and learning how to get tones that inspire you to play will also help you learn your amp/FX unit, which you are playing every bit as much as your guitar. Lastly, if you can afford it, try to buy a slightly more expensive guitar because it will usually have higher quality components that will make it easier to keep in tune and more comfortable to play. The extra increase in price will more be more than offset by the savings from continually paying for set-ups, fret work, and replacing cheaper parts for higher quality ones. For those that enjoy modding their instruments, wait to do that later. It can become a distraction to actually first learning to play, which is more important because if you can’t play no mods or pickup swaps will make a difference in how you sound.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Thanks for the comment . I definitely agree with the things you said here. Getting a non-cheap guitar is a good idea. It doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars , but something decent that will stay in tune and get you motivated. If you buy a really cheap guitar sometimes they can have a lot of problems. You spend more time trying to fix it than actually playing. It can have the opposite affect. Also, learning the basic setup on a guitar is crucial as well. You don't have to be a luthier but basic stuff like strings , neck relief and such is a good skill to learn. Thanks for watching!

[@masteryoda498]

Great video, and speaking as an older person myself who took up the electric guitar back in February 2016 (I was 47 at the time), this certainly strikes a chord with me (no pun intended). I’m only a rhythm player (lead guitar was too hard for me), and I learned to play mostly AC/DC covers, by downloading on line tutorials from KZbin. I practice about 1.5 hours every single day, the guitar is a very hard to play, but very rewarding at the same time. Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Well , I don’t want to string you along ( pun intended 😂) . AC/DC is probably THE best band to learn rhythm guitar from. In fact , an old teacher of mine when I was young told me “ go learn AC/DC. Start with the first album and work your way up from there . I you can master those songs you can master rhythm guitar . “ thanks for watching and commenting 🙏🏻

[@markellis8347]

I played when I was 14 up to 16. Now, I'm coming back to it with a vengeance at 61 and love the instrument.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

That's awesome to hear! Are you finding it more enjoyable as an adult? Thanks for watching!

[@markellis8347]

@HeadbangersLocal Actually, I am. It's a different approach. My fingers aren't as fast as they once were, so I am much more methodical in my timing and realizing that staying in the pocket is king.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

@@markellis8347 nice ! Are you working in the speed , or happy where you’re at with that?

[@markellis8347]

@HeadbangersLocal Unfortunately or fortunately, I'm not a person that's just ok with being ok at something. So, I use a metronome with chord changes and playing scales. Currently at 100 bpm on both. I try and up 5 bpm per week without making mistakes and then go up another 5 bpm. I must say its been humbling, but I see progress!

[@HeadbangersLocal]

@@markellis8347 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@guyg2005]

Glad I found your video. Have a 1965 Fender Mustang that I received for Christmas in 1965. Played through college then got a job. Now I am retired and have plenty of time, so broke out the Mustang and took it to Guitar center to get setup. Looks like new. Trying to get my fingers and memory/chords tuned up. Watching a lot of you tube videos to get caught up on all the terminology. My friend at Guitar Center showed me the Fender Acustasonic and I fell in love. Will watch your videos. I practice daily.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Wow! Original 65 Mustang! That’s amazing 🤩 Glad I was able to help you with this video . I wish you success in your journey and hopefully I can help along the way 💪🏻

[@videoforentrepreneurs]

So cool to hear you’ve come back to guitar. I used to tour back in the day and haven’t returned to guitar yet.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Thanks 🙏🏻. Yea it’s a lot different as as middle aged adult 😂. The good news is I have more money to spend on gear . The bad news is I have more money to spend on gear 🤣🤘🏻🤘🏻 hope you come back and I can help you the same way you helped me !

[@Bentons_Place-DIY]

My thoughts... Basically, I am just taking up guitar. At 66. I've been around them often, owned a couple, but never got serious or committed to it. Now I am. The electrics you showed at the start of the video, as for choosing your type, mine was nit there. I have always loved and had an affinity for the rich sound of a hollow body. So, I want something in the 335 style. I'm on social security, so I am ordering a Harley Benton on my next paycheck. All your tips here will prove useful as I progress along this journey. I might suggest you add one more... Tell people to be committed. Without that, you're just wandering, no matter what your path may be. My choice of music ranges from outlaw country (but NOT mainstream country) to blues, jazz, hard rock and some metal. Metallica was probably one of the best live shows I've ever seen.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Welcome to the wonderful world of guitar!! Glad this video helped you out. Thanks for commenting. Hopefully I can continue you help you out on your guitar journey💪

[@jamesskyway6746]

I will be 67 next month. Two years ago just before I retired I thought to get back to playing. I played way back late '60's to early '70's. Got a cheap "Denver" Dreadnought. It was ok but wanted something a bit better so I got a Yamaha 820. Recently I got an Epiphone SG Standard + BOSS Katana 50 mkII. Also recently I upgraded the Yamaha to a Taylor GT Urban Ash. I got the electric because I love rock/metal. I also love finger picking style on the Acoustic. When I was shopping for a new guitar (Taylor or Martin) I saw a Yamaha keyboard on sale. Ending up getting one as a side project (Yamaha PSR-e373)

[@HeadbangersLocal]

NICE! That's awesome to hear. It's great when people come back after being gone from it for a while ,just like me . What difference (besides maybe money and time) do you think there is between when you first started and now? 🤔 I love rock and metal too. That's mostly what I have on the channel. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Kami_81]

I'm 43, played for 7 years, stopped for 19 years, started playing again a month ago and I must say ouch...it's brutal! I don't learn as fast as I used to, my hands are getting tired much faster than when I was 20 (fretting hand gets numb), I'm working hard on my precision and coordination but achieving very little results. My advice, never stop playing, the younger you start the better...and I insist, never stop, NEVER!

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Excellent my man! Glad you’re back at it 💪🏻. You’ll get there . It’s just like you said “never stop playing !” Even if it’s just for 5 minutes. I hope I can help you on your journey 🤘🏻 thanks for watching 👏🏻

[@Rob-fn1lm]

Keep up with it will get easier try not to over think when playing guitar

[@shawnbell6392]

I would add that aside from getting a basic chord chart learn songs, there are aids for that online from you tube tutorials to sites that will let you upload a song you want to learn and it will show you the chords. There are many perfectly good guitars in the $300-$600 range. That said, when I started up again after years I bought a $79 used Yamaha electric guitar. Having someone set it up correctly is vital. When you get around to barre chords remember you don't have to create a vice on the neck with your first finger....two or three of the strings will already be pressed by other fingers. So just arch your first finger to lightly cover the other strings you want to play. Light touch indeed, let the amp do the work. To eventually play faster you will want to make the smallest possible motion with your picking hand. Playing and practicing will truly make you live in the moment and its amazing for your mental and emotional health. Its your journey, don't compare your playing to others aside from being inspired by someone.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Excellent advice here 💯. Conservation of energy is key . And the setup … you’re right , it’s critically important especially as a beginner. What’s the name of that site to upload songs too? I’m not familiar with that 🤔🤔🤔

[@shawnbell6392]

@@HeadbangersLocal Chordify, you have to become a member at around $40 a year. I think you get some free use for songs already uploaded to them to try it out. You don't have to download anything.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

@@shawnbell6392 interesting 🤔. I’ll have to check it out . Thanks for the info 💪🏻

[@shawnbell6392]

@@HeadbangersLocal Sure! It isn't always perfect but I like it. A couple of times it showed chords as 1st position when you know they are barre chords but then I just moved them to the right position.

[@dragonclaw88]

im here because i have 'GAS' gear acquisition syndrome ..im always looking at guitars, cases, stands..pickups.. amps... some guitars ive had over 35 years...still barely know the chords..no strum patterns, scales, im no where near a teacher..so if i look online i get youtube vids that teach me how to hold a guitar and what a headstock is...then its just seems to ramp to some out of my league guitar tab or random lick that really doesnt teach me much of anything...so how about online websites...they do the same thing...go from holding a pick to next lesson will be bending up 2 octaves on the first fret and you get this great deal for only 180 dollars if you pay for a full years worth...then little micro payments for this lesson pack and this lesson pack...its just brutal and saps my energy and i think maybe its just me...guess ill go listen to more vids of that marshall combo amp that sounds so great...i wonder if i could play better if i had that 900 dollar amp...good vid and a new sub here...

[@HeadbangersLocal]

The good news is as an adult I have more money for gear . The bad news is as an adult I have more money for gear . 🤣 I hear ya in the course thing . I don’t do courses , or have anything to sell . That’s not me . I do enough sales in my regular job . I’ve met so many people the last 5-7 years that want to learn guitar because they’ve always wanted to, or are coming back to it just like me . Thanks for subbing , watching and commenting. I hope I can help you on your journey 💪🏻

[@BryanBarcelo]

When I was 20, I thought about learning to play the guitar, but thought that it was too late to learn, should've done that when I was around 10. When I was 30, the same thing, should've learned when I was 20, too late to learn now. When I turned 40, I thought about learning again, but quickly dismissed the thought, I'm too old to learn, should've done that when I was in my 30's. When I got into my 50's, I considered learning to play guitar once more, and like before I said to myself, Man you should've tried this when you were 40, in my mind, I was defininately way too old to learn. But then fate, destiny or whatever you wanna call it, stepped in. One night, trash night, around the corner from me, someone thew out a guitar that was shaped like a giant hand, with papper mache fingers and the guitar body/neck as the thumb. It was cumbersome to hold so I could only use one finger to fret with and inadvertantly discovered 1 fingered chords, from this I made a simple melody and was hooked. So I went to guitar center and bought a very used accoustic for 30 bucks and wrote my first guitar song, 1 finger chord, "Nancy" which I performed live at a locasl open mic some months later. All of this is online. I also accidently discoved 2 finger chords and made a tune called, Bryan's Song. I've been playing for around 6 years now, I still suck at playing, but have managed to learn a few easy tunes fairly well, I started with Stand By Me by Ben E. King, Johny B Goode by Chuck Berry, Apache by the Shadows, Bonanza TV show theme, and I'm currently learning the original Star Trek TV show theme, After Dark by Tito & Tarantuala, My Girl by the Temptations and I'm on the last verse of Frankie Valli's, Can't Take My Eyes Off of You. Also, I chose some of these tunes to learn, bending, slides, Hammer ons and to get better at Barre chords. The toughest parts of playing is learning chord changing fast enough to keep time and accepting the inherent repition. I didn't do all of this alone, got help from Facebook guitarist friends and great KZbin video lessons like this one, thank you for the upload!🤟

[@HeadbangersLocal]

That’s an awesome story ! Thanks for sharing it here ! 💯🤘🏻. One tip for changing chords is the mean AC/DC songs . Even if you’re not a fan if theirs I guarantee if you learn an album or two of theirs you will master changing chords very quickly. About 90% of their catalog uses regular open chords that change rapidly . Glad you find the video helpful. Thanks for watching 🤘🏻

[@BryanBarcelo]

@@HeadbangersLocal Thank you for the tip and you're welcome!

[@BardePhilippe.P76]

oh that cherry Epiphone SG Vintage pure delight!

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Epiphone? 😂 😂😂 I’ll actually be making a “ how to “ video on that guitar . Should be out next week so you can see it again ! Thanks for watching and commenting 🤘🏻

[@goofy3908]

im 60 getting ready to retire now i have the money and time to play, oh wait its not the 80s anymore where people get together and play. Oh well A good paul reed smith for $1000 and it sounds great

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Yes! Glad you’re (re)discovering the guitar! It is hard to find people to jam with I agree. I have a couple buddies that I met to jam with here in my garage . The good news is as an adult I have more Money to spend on gear . The bad news is I have more money to spend on gear 🤣🤣🤘🏻🤘🏻. Thanks for watching and I hope I can help you on your journey.

[@goofy3908]

@@HeadbangersLocal thank you for even sharing your time with me, I really appreciate it. Youth is wasted on the young. Thankfully it is awesome to be able to pursue dreams and art.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

@@goofy3908 anytime my man 🤘🏻

[@napiyosun4677]

I watched every single second of this video. It is a great one I have seen so far about „back to guitar after 40s“. I am 45 now, and when I started to play again (actually started to try playing again) I realized that I almost forgot everything and I felt disaapointed and felt like a real beginner. I have a question for you: Do you think the shorter scale guitars like 22.2 or 22.5 inch scale length are better for absolute beginners WITH SMALL HANDS? For example Ibanez GRGM21? Or would you have another suggestion? All the best, Max

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Hey, thanks for your comment. That really means a lot to me. As far as your question goes the best way that I can test out a guitar because like you I have small hands as well is if you can make a bar cord with your thumb over the top meaning instead of using your first finger as the bar you use your pinky ring middle and first finger for the notes on the higher strings and then you wrap your thumb around the guitar on the low east string if I’m able to do that then that’s a good guitar for me if I can’t do that or the neck is too thick then I know I’m gonna have a problem with it. All that being said, I do own a lot of guitars similar to the one you mentioned here, the Ibanez. Those guitars I use mostly for like 80s metal heavy metal fast speed metal because they sound really really good. I don’t do a lot of clean playing on those guitars so I don’t need to worry about wrapping my thumb around the top. That’s why my new SG ( which I made a video on it’s on my channel) it’s slowly becoming my favorite guitar because it checks all the boxes. I hope this somewhat answers your question and I hope I’m can continue to help you on your guitar journey. Thanks for watching and commenting.🤘🏻

[@Rob-fn1lm]

I am 72 and still enjoying playing guitar

[@HeadbangersLocal]

That’s amazing to hear ! 🤘🏻I don’t think I will ever stop again . I actually feel like I enjoy it more now than I did in my youth .

[@Rob-fn1lm]

@@HeadbangersLocal playing guitar is a wonderful thing

[@HeadbangersLocal]

@@Rob-fn1lm 💯🤘🏻

[@JohnMcintosh-dm1gn]

8 months in here. What I've learnt so far about learning the guitar. Repetition, repetition, repetition.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Absolutely! Repetition is the mother of skill . Guitar is all about shapes and patterns that repeat across the fretboard. Thanks for watching and commenting 💪🏻

[@JohnMcintosh-dm1gn]

@@HeadbangersLocal And thank you for letting me know that I'm on the right path.

[@TheMessersmiths]

over 40??? hell I'm 61 and just started.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

It applies to all 😂 but 40 seemed like a good starting point since I’m over 40 and so are the people that ask me about guitar stuff. . Thanks for watching and glad you’re playing again 💪🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@deegee1317]

I purchased my first electric guitar as a bundle some months ago and it came with extra strings I think it was 9-45🤔… can I switch to different sizes of strings, I thought I had to stick to those sizes of strings.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

You can switch to any size strings you want . Remember, an increase in string gauge will make it harder to press down and to do bending . I stick with 9-42 on mostly all my guitars. Also keep in mind if you changes string gauge you might have to adjust the neck ( relief) as heavier strings will pull the neck forward a little more . 8 gauge may be too light . I used to use those and I would go out of tune a lot because I was bending too hard . Experiment and see what you’re most comfortable playing . I hope I can help you in your journey. Thanks for watching and commenting 🤘🏻

[@phantasm8180]

Start With Tom Petty,and the Heartbreakers

[@HeadbangersLocal]

An excellent recommendation!🤘🏻 my teacher back when I was in HS suggested since I liked rock to start with AC/DC. He said “ start with the first album and work your way up. You’ll master chord changes and rhythm if you can nail those songs .” Best advice I ever got . Thanks for watching and commenting. 👏🏻

[@roycranman3851]

What? You didn't even mention an acoustic guitar as an option. I play both acoustic and electric, but learned on acoustic. Lots of advantages to both.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

You’re right . I didn’t mention an acoustic. I was going to , but decided not to. The same concepts apply to both electric and acoustic, however. I play mostly rock guitar , so 90% of the time I’m using electric. I should have at least included a quick mention of acoustic though . Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate it ! 💪🏻

[@Bumper_jed]

@@HeadbangersLocal it is easier to play electric guitar, acoustic esp nylon can be very hard, you may have to really press down to get the note, and playing those f type chords with the index finger as a capo is really hard as a beginner

[@Bumper_jed]

learned guitar at 60

[@Bumper_jed]

type of guitar, telecaster

[@Bumper_jed]

squire classic vibe thinline tele

[@Bumper_jed]

playing for 6 years now

[@Bumper_jed]

gauge started at 9 then 8 now back at 9-42

[@Bumper_jed]

telecaster neck is hard to crack like a gibson

[@Fkku-r6d]

You newbies should start off learning I dont believe in love by Ryche, do the Degarmo guitar work, Nyuck Nyuck Nyuck.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

😂 baby steps . 🤘🏻

[@Fkku-r6d]

@@HeadbangersLocal Lol, I dont do the degarmo thing cus number 1 my fingers aint long enuff I cheat it, Lol.

[@Fkku-r6d]

In My day metal guys played esp, jackson bc rich some fenders aka Maiden, Dean guitars and flying Vs, I still think a strat is the best , or ESP.

[@HeadbangersLocal]

Yep . The 80s players were (are) my idols . I have a bunch of Charvels an ESP and a Jackson Rhoads V . I haven’t featured them in the channel really . Maybe it’s time I break them out . 🤔. Thanks for watching 🤘🏻