Looking to learn guitar but worried it’s too late? Think again! In this blog post, we’ll debunk the myth that adults can’t learn guitar and share 5 reasons why it’s actually easier for adults than kids.
The ultimate answer to the question of whether you’re “too old to learn guitar” depends on your perspective.
What you perceive as drawbacks can actually become advantages when you approach learning in the right way.
Let’s dive in and have a look at 5 more reasons why waiting to learn to play guitar as an adult rather than starting at a young age might be one the smartest life decisions you’ve made.
" You start learning guitar when it is the right time for you to learn - not the right age".
The ultimate answer to the question of whether you’re “too old to learn guitar” depends on your perspective.
What you perceive as drawbacks can actually become advantages when you approach learning in the right way.
Let’s dive in and have a look at 5 more reasons why waiting to learn to play guitar as an adult rather than starting at a young age might be one the smartest life decisions you’ve made.
Good to Know
The 5 traits detailed below are common in many adults, but not all. Some young people also have these traits in abundance and play guitar fantastically. These are general observations, not strict rules.
#1. You typically have more discipline and will-power
One of the perks of being older is that you have developed a strong work ethic and a positive attitude.
You know that learning guitar is not easy, but it’s rewarding. You don’t let obstacles or failures stop you from pursuing your passion.
You keep practicing and learning, because you love the music and the feeling.
This is something that many young people miss. They often get distracted or discouraged from learning guitar because they want to play like their heroes in a few days.
They generally don’t have the discipline or the motivation to continue. They lose interest before they experience any improvement.
Not you.
You have the edge of knowing that anything worth doing requires dedication and enthusiasm. You have proven this in your work and your personal life. You have accomplished many things that you are happy with, and you know that learning guitar is one of them.
#2. You have more financial resources
As an adult, you have more income and savings to support your hobby and lifestyle. You can afford to buy quality lessons and equipment that will make your learning guitar easier and more fun.
You don’t have to ask your parents or anyone else to fund your hobby. You can decide what you need and when you need it.
This is something that many kids don’t have. They often rely on their parents or caregivers to provide them with a guitar or pay for their lessons.
They may not get the right guitar or the right teacher for their goals. They may not even get to play the guitar they like, because it’s too costly or not in stock.
Not you.
You have the luxury to treat yourself to a new guitar (or cool new music gadget.) You have the opportunity to learn guitar at your own pace and even find a skilled teacher to guide and motivate you. You can customise your learning experience and fully enjoy every moment of it.
3. You value your time and use it wisely
This advantage is tailor-made for retirees, part-time workers, or the self-employed among you – those who’ve wisely allocated time to pursue your passions, like learning to play the guitar.
Kids often don’t practice enough because they are easily distracted by social media, gaming, or videos with catchy titles like “Top 200 Fails Of All Time”.
Not you.
While life can be a whirlwind of family commitments, work, or other hobbies, you’ve honed your time management skills with age.
We all know someone who’s perpetually in a hurry, lamenting the scarcity of hours in a day, right? Well, you’ve consciously chosen not to be that person.
You’ve become adept at prioritizing your time, ensuring that you can hunker down and focus on perfecting your guitar skills.
4. You know what you like
You’ve cultivated a refined musical taste over the years. You know exactly what genres and artists you adore, as well as those that don’t quite strike a chord with you.
Your passion for learning to play the guitar has been ignited by the countless live performances you’ve witnessed.
In contrast, most kids learning guitar are still navigating the ever-changing winds of musical preference. Their “favourite” band today might become their “can’t stand them” choice tomorrow.
Many a time, I’ve spent weeks teaching a young pupil how to play a song by their “favourite band,” only to hear on week 6, “Oh, I don’t like them anymore. Can I switch to a different song?”
This can lead to endless complications.
Not for you, though.
You selected your favourite music long ago, and you remain open to discovering new tunes. When asked to name a beloved band or artist, you could rattle off a list as long as your arm because your musical taste centres on appreciating good music, regardless of genre.
#5. Boosted confidence: the adult advantage
Many adults who start learning the guitar take a brave step – they decide to learn from someone, like a teacher. That takes confidence. You’re ready to soak up the advice and techniques your teacher shares with you.
But for many youngsters learning guitar, it’s often more about what their parents want than what they want. This can lead to feeling embarrassed and frustrated when they mess up because they’re not confident enough. And guess what happens next?
They lose interest in the guitar and quit.
But not you.
You’ve loved music your whole life, and you know it won’t always be easy, but you’re determined to give it your all.
You don’t get too upset when you make mistakes because you understand it’s all part of the learning process.
I’m sure you get it too – it’s normal to feel a bit unsure about your skills at the beginning, but you know it’ll get better with time.
What’s really cool is watching the confidence grow in the adults I teach. They often dreamt of learning to play guitar for a long time, and it’s amazing to see them become more self-assured.
Summing it Up
Think about this: what if you started learning guitar at age 11? Your parents paid for lessons, but you got frustrated because it was tough and you weren’t very confident.
What would have happened next? You would have given up on learning. And because of that early bad experience, you might never have picked up a guitar again. That’s a sad thought, isn’t it?
So, don’t wait any longer. Now you know many good reasons why you’re never too old to learn guitar – go for it!
