What to Play on Guitar If You're Over 50

[@Larry-v6j]

I am 85, and this really helped me. Played seriously when younger, but last few years arthritis really hit me. This lesson helped me greatly. Thanks.

[@markb3758]

Eric Johnson is 70. I saw him live about a year ago and his hands are fine shredding the fretboard.

[@HalinPhilly]

I went straight to the comments, Sean. I just knew some over-50's would get bent out of with your title. I'm 72 and still strum like Pete Townshend. But, in a couple years, when the arthritis sets in, I may revisit this video. If I remember it's here! :-)

[@richardfromcornwall5492]

Well, Sean, this has initiated quite a debate! I am a 65 year old silver haired guitar player and only started playing about 4 years ago and have worked quite hard at it. I do have certain neurological health issues and do have problems moving my fingers around quickly but more so playing single notes! I take on board everything you’ve said and will follow this ‘tutorial’ when I pick up my guitar tomorrow! Thanks Sean, love the humour!

[@mikegraham4513]

I'm 71 and I joined Countryguitaronline three years ago and have progressed to where I can play most of the songs from memory by following the lessons as the teacher goes through the tabulation slowly while explaining how to navigate the tricky bits. Flatpicking classic and current bluegrass tunes. Look ma, I'm shredding.

[@seandaniel23]

So glad to hear you're making strides!

[@mikegraham4513]

Thanks Sean. I am a newbie and so much is still beyond me, like barre chords and so much theory.

[@johngraydon506]

Thank you Sean thats so useful at 75 and as a learner strummer only this is just the job 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@markjohnson6485]

Good video playing since late 80s 63 yr old just got a custom shop Martin D-18 yesterday Addi top quilt African hog back and sides

[@seandaniel23]

So cool! Congrats on an amazing guitar!

[@Hneel65]

I've heard about these 'b', 'q' and 'diamond' shapes before, and I think they're a lot easier to remember than those caged shapes. But I saw them as patterns to play solo. Never thought of them as replacements for difficult chords.

[@musicabasket4945]

Chuck E’s in Love - except for one note. And he’s “combed his hair” for us oldies 😂

[@John-ic6zo]

"My Girl"The Temptàtions

[@John-ic6zo]

My Girl

[@robertgold2643]

Thanks for making this so simple!

[@mburtondavis]

I’m almost 50 and I want to shred. Congrats on the signature Martin.

[@dan_kay]

You are still young (way too young to even comment here). You have enough time to learn it the traditional way. Just watch one of the van Halen instruction VHS tapes and do what he does. Can't be that hard at your young age...

[@rspowell379]

My kind of lesson, Sean ...put the cookies on the shelf where we can reach 'em. BTW, if ELIXIRS help me play like Sean, then i'm all about 'em 😂

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

Any coated string will do I find it helps to get light or extra lights and tuning down the guitar a note or two (coz I don't like it too bright) makes it really easy to play and sing (for someone with lower register) In any case you can capo on the 1st/2nd fret if you want Standard E

[@Hodenkat]

Actually it sounds like Chuck E's In Love! 😂 Thanks, Sean!!

[@TonyObermeit]

great lesson, would love to see more of what you did combing the patterns with rhythmic strumming from 19 minutes on. The switch between playing a melody and then going back to rhythm is where I struggle

[@rik2bits]

It is a TV theme song. “In the Street” by Big Star. Cheap Trick’s cover was used on That 70’s Show.

[@ronfairweather5933]

Always great videos Sean and I learn a ton. Gotta say the best in this vid (besides the great pattern) is your rant on "pitted" dates! You definitely must have a stand -up comedy side hussle! Cheers!

[@johnCjr4671]

Old Sax Player so Can only make sense of Scales when starting on the root notes and remembering patterns up & back . Thanks Sean !

[@ronniewetherington509]

Thanks for sharing this video. I've been noodling with guitar for over 13 years. I believe this lesson would have been very helpful years ago.

[@AdamGarrett72]

Sean, I'm over 50, and If you click-bait me one more time, I'm likely to cancel the GoFundMe for your leather jacket

[@blackmetalgran7279]

I was prepared to get bent because of the title. I'm glad I'm watching now that I'm seeing it. I prefer uke to guitar. Jamming my fingers together at the top of the neck before the muscle memory kicks in was frustrating. I am going to try this.

[@musicabasket4945]

At 3:57, for us oldies it’s more like Chuck E’s in Love

[@p0werp0pster]

I came here to say this!

[@danhall4293]

I’m 71, and my fingers move just fine. However, I have bad arthritis in my thumbs. The swelling has caused the geometry of my left hand to change to the point where I can no longer wrap my thumb around to play notes on the bass E string with it. And it gets tired very quickly when I play up the neck on an acoustic. The right neck shape helps, but I have yet to find the perfect shape.

[@ernestdenov3599]

Obviously, I can only speak for myself, but I'm 71 years old and my guitar playing is better than it's ever been! I've made a living playing guitar for 50 years and now that I haven't had a "significant other" for the past three years, I practice two to four hours everyday. Most of my practice is playing jazz standards with backing tracks on KZbin, but I have to play rock and pop covers to make a living; jazz gigs don't pay my bills unfortunately; they're more like a hobby. Anyway, my heart goes out to those who have arthritis; I've been very lucky that my hands work fine; knock on wood! My brain doesn't work so great anymore EXCEPT for when I play guitar; strange, but thank God for that not so small favor!

[@edoxtator1238]

It’s also the opening lick to The Blue Aeroplanes “Spitting Out Miracles”…

[@revolve830]

Thanks Sean. Watch that zipper on your hoodie. Don’t want to scratch that beautiful D-18. Love the channel.

[@josephcasey322]

using your covid shred 3 note per string led me to 4 note per string open,1,3,5/ 2,3,5,7/5,7,9,10/8,10,12,13/10,12,13,15 Builds possibilities in the fingers and is very patternry

[@seandaniel23]

Great to hear it!

[@SurfsideRick]

I asded a @Zager to my collection and it is easily to most hand and finger friendly guitar I've played (and less costly than my Martin and Takamine).😊

[@tamdsms]

I use electric 10s on my acoustics. Kind regards!

[@TomMarvan]

Typo - should read 500k not 50. Congratulations on the milestone! I think I first subscribed when you were at just 50 or so, back in the day of the true salty blues comments, compared to some shouting at cloud stuff I am seeing for this video.

[@seandaniel23]

It’s been a journey!

[@walterwhiting9970]

That was more informative than I originally expected 👍👍👍

[@jklep523]

As an over 50, I play both kinds of music: Dylan, and the Dead.

[@johnross5722]

I don’t even care about what the video is about these comments are priceless, are people honestly hurt ?

[@joeandreana2645]

Chuck E.s in Love; that was a lesson on the style of Rickie Lee Jones. Bravo!!!!

[@michaelsoileau3516]

The beginning sounds like the melody, My Girl .😊

[@davidgould3409]

Dr thomastic strings are really good too

[@NineMileDrop]

Im 103 and I can still play the double neck behind my back on one knee

[@IDigRocknRoll]

it's getting back up that's the problem though, right?😀

[@DavidCurtis-j3k]

Anything helps depending on how green you are . Learn from different people . How one builds their selfs to become better thanks for your time I hear sunshine on a cloudy day.

[@LennyG-TPFL]

I’m almost 62 and my fingers love fretting single notes and muting the other three strings. Yep, just a bass player who likes Sean’s videos. Six strings…….OMG.

[@akmt123]

Cheers from Canada

[@bc7520]

chuckie's in looove.... Did anyone else start singing that?

[@8693jt]

I thought you were going to say play smaller body guitars with mahogany back and sides. Maybe you could use that for the 65+ video! 😎

[@AcousticGuitarsForMe]

I just removed my strings. It really helped.

[@joeybutafuco1845]

These comments are hilarious!

[@leighsayers2628]

😂😂😂

[@KevinAlawine]

What kind of kapo is that?

[@Dr.Catacus]

I’m over 70, and at one time I was going to join TheBeatles. That didn’t work out.

[@LaMusicade4]

Ok !

[@LaMusicade4]

Im sorry, I’m going to use that from now on

[@bruce949]

Sean, when you’re over 50 you’re gonna look back at this post and think “what was I even thinking when I was a young whipper-snapper?!”

[@StuClifton]

That just joined a lot of dots for me.

[@leighpalfrey6247]

I'm over 60 and still playing lead guitar in my band ya numpty

[@novacatscratchfevr5325]

For those of you who learned to play when you were young SeN’s comments may not be correct for you. For older players who are now starting to develop the muscle memory to move multiple fingers at once to form chords he is right on. I’ve seen this with older learners over and over again.

[@trusarmor4957]

as some one who is over 50', i say ... 'wutz that? speak Sonny I cantz hearz ya' and .. 'Maaaatlock!''

[@craig1082]

sounds like Chuck E's in Love

[@anthonyrioux4835]

Better idea would be how to play Hendrix style chords with older arthritic smaller mitts How to hit a Hendrix chord as we age

[@patrickbuechel2599]

Good job, thank you ❤❤❤❤❤ 🖖🤏🍻

[@BouyManila]

mariposa strings is the best

[@robertfoster1339]

Albert Lee is 80 and still touring

[@kisschicken]

Guy goes on one fire fall photo shoot and thinks he can dunk on us oldies.

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

What did you expect, he took a mallet to the old parlor

[@yodasblues9031]

This is why Keef can’t get no satisfaction!

[@NineMileDrop]

I’m 20 and am just wanting to learn it all

[@LMacNeill]

Looks like I'm not the only one who heard Rickie Lee Jones' _Chuckie's In Love,_ eh? 😂

[@KaptainCanuck]

Play anything you damn well please unless Satriani and such which could be a speed challenge.

[@mat724spencer8]

Just a thought, play at the beginning of your lesson to grab someone's attention. Unless you're bound to advertise at the beginning, do it later. I'm sure that you're an accomplished teacher but I've been playing for over 50 years and I've never heard of guitar songs if you're over 50 unless it's lessons for new players over 50 and even then, Not everyone over 50 has hand problems. What to play on guitar if you're over 50. I may have a second thought on this but I'm 69 and healthy and I don't get it. Anyway, I'm taking my time here to drop a comment and please disregard if I'm missing something but I thought that maybe 1 or more of these suggestions may help your attract a bigger audience for your lessons. You seem like a nice guy and a patient teacher. Your title did make me open your lesson but it was from a point of "WTF?" Keep it up and good luck

[@DB-rr1eo]

Why don't you teach Bm as a partial chord and not a bar chord? D can be played as a D5 and forget the high e string.

[@RickDeevey]

Well, that clickbait title sure got us old fuckers on our hind legs. Another vote here for the Rickie Lee Jones song.

[@garethmartyndavies2250]

I think you just like showing off sometimes 😩🇬🇧🙌

[@stuartyoung8068]

Chuck E's in Love

[@michaelellis2676]

Good content, but most of us over 50 can still play full chords. I didn’t start playing in a band until I was 50 and now at 68, I’m playing more music than at any time of my life. But what you’re describing would work fine when you don’t have a bass player.

[@seankinnane12]

If youre over 50 you should suck it up and play Slayer..Metallica..Maiden..all metal and rock.You should be playing solos like the outro from November rain you aint going to impress the young tail playing Kumbaya

[@brucehobbs6027]

I'm over 80 and have been playing for over 50 years. Don't have trouble with my hands but find short scale guitars easier for some stuff. What I'm struggling with is what genre to play. Nobody wants to hear somebody my age singing James Taylor ! I've mastered (to a point) chord melody but nobody likes jazz ! So I guess it's back to classical----!! There's nowhere to play anyway !

[@guermeisterdoodlebug7980]

I feel so embarrassed. I’m never going to play one of those “open cowboy chords” again.

[@ashy941]

Damn…somebody better tell Frampton. Here’s what you play when you’re over 50 - whatever the f*ck you want to play! Hiding notifications from this channel effective in 3,2,1…

[@adamlegion13]

All the 50+ annoyed commenters are paying this man and feeding the algorithm, so… now he’ll keep up the clickbait approach and KZbin will feed you more of it from others 😮

[@philipliethen519]

Elixir strings have gotten prohibitively expensive. I’ve had to lose them because of the prices.

[@KEVLAROYAN]

Hey Sean…are you over 50???

[@mikeellis4345]

I’m 67. I’ve played guitar since I was 14 yrs old. I will play whatever I like on guitars. I don’t need telling what to play because I’m over 50 .. thanks anyway. You’re welcome.

[@adamlegion13]

😂❤

[@G_Demolished]

It’s true, guys. This is how Keith Richards learned the guitar back in 1962 when he was 50.

[@IDigRocknRoll]

I think the guy who said he was 103 and could play behind his back on one knee is actually Keith Richards using an alias. Poor fucker probably still down on one knee about to fall over. Hope he has, "Life Alert", button handy.

[@SteveSingerFowkes]

I'm over 60 I sing almost everything in a UK wedding band

[@IDigRocknRoll]

Do you know the wedding song, I'm a bloke, That's no joke, Now give me a smoke, Or I'll give you a poke. It's a great tune done in the key of Bb/#/minor/dim7/b9,sus4

[@Butterfly_Girl_3]

I'll never buiy pitted dates. Thank you 😂

[@69sidewinder]

Pffft. 50+ is ancient, man!

[@edpetrikk2027]

Just either just play triads or bass runs …Then get a real hot female singer to sing 👍😊

[@Hilaire_Balrog]

“What to play on guitar if you’re over 50”. I feel targeted 😡 . . . . . 😆

[@tyrotrainer765]

I think you could have slowed down there Sean - I was following you great because you specified what frets you were fingering, but when you got onto the 1-4-5 bit you totally lost me, even on 1/4 speed I could not work out what you were doing.

[@flbiker57]

I'll bet you're glad you got out of Bradenton right about now.

[@equinvent1]

Tell that to Billy Gibbons lol

[@fake734]

What it u R over 95😮😮😮!!!

[@Rich-ng3yy]

But you're no different because you're that age. You can develop hand problems any time, or not.

[@KarstenJohansson]

Yngwie is older than 50. He should be taking notes.

[@yellowboot6629]

❣️🤗

[@KevinORourke25]

False advertising? Elixir strings are "much easier on your hands. What about them makes them easier. Can you depress the strings with your fingers with the less force and technique as "regular" strings and get the same sound? The answer is no. Does the coating on the strings act as a soothing lotion to help lubricate your finger joints? No. I'm a coffin dodger now (73) and I have been using Elixir strings for a very long time because I love the way they sound.

[@seandaniel23]

Interesting. You don’t think the coating on them makes them way easier to play? I for sure always feel like I’m fighting against the strings when they’re uncoated.

[@KevinORourke25]

@@seandaniel23 Allright, maybe a little easier for slides and bends, but for me the big difference was when I went to a thinner string set. That made it easier to play for sure and I think that could be said of any string company. Elixir still makes the best strings in my opinion, I just feel that what ever compamy offers the best "deal" to promote their product it would change your mind about the ease of play. Nothing wrong with that, that's how it's supposed to work. But I guess I'm a little sensitive about beneficial health claims having had 4 guitar related surgeries on my hands. But like I said, I'm a coffin dodger and everything hurts these days. We're all good Sean!

[@mikehaws3187]

If u are over 50... Then play your style of music. I do

[@ianholt7284]

Groovy (Grooving) but pointless other than for selling Elixir

[@maxjosephson8352]

sounds a little like my girl

[@dan_kay]

So, here is the thing: I am 50, I am into thrash and other styles of metal, and I couldn't care less about Mary and her stupid lamb. Any tips for beginner metal guitarists over 50 who want to shred Pantera, Metallica, and Annihilator, rhythm and lead?

[@guascamsb8138]

Practice every day, even if just 15 minutes. And begin with single notes like in this video, to get used to the instrument.

[@dan_kay]

@@guascamsb8138 I am not a beginner guitarist. I am trying to get from boomer blues to face melting shredding, and I am looking for shortcuts.

[@03ai_ey]

I got a tip for ya right here, old man 😎🖕🖕

[@roanfarley9919]

49. Ffs

[@dan_kay]

The kiddie table is over there >>>>>>

[@roanfarley9919]

@@dan_kay nowt like encouraging

[@zzshankzz1968]

I'm way over 50 ya goof, I don't need music that's easy on my hands ,I've seen 80 yr olds shred like EVH, only thing being taken for granted are your elders ..

[@davidmcgeown2122]

I’m a senior and I do have problems with my hands - arthritis, and this lesson is specifically aimed at people who, like me, have hand problems. Not everybody is as lucky as you. Instead of being nasty, you should be grateful.

[@ThevirginLarry-f8j]

Ull do exactly what he says and u won't ask questions. do u understand ?

[@MrArchie765]

At least he cares enough to offer helping us “elders” out!!!

[@ThevirginLarry-f8j]

@@MrArchie765 who's an elder im 12.

[@ThevirginLarry-f8j]

@@MrArchie765 Inches

[@source2us2]

Dumb concept

[@MegaTechnoteacher]

Terrible sounding Martin

[@johnphillips9774]

Why would I want to revert back to learner mode ? Just because your progression is glacial doesn't mean everyone else over 50 is that way

[@rickstuparyk3306]

This good but how about us old guys that have fat short fingers. ? Please 😊