Can Seniors Learn To Play the Guitar? Important Facts (2021)

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No matter how old you are, it is never too late to learn a hobby you have always wanted to learn. Many feel they may be too old to learn how to play a new instrument. But can seniors learn to play the guitar?

Seniors can learn to play the guitar. There are online courses, in-person music lessons, and even apps for your phone or tablet. Learning to play the guitar as a senior can help improve feelings of depression and enhance mobility in joints. It is an inspiration to others as well.

Let us take a closer look at the ways seniors can learn how to play guitar.

Take an Online Course

The fastest way to get started learning how to play guitar as a senior is to take an online course. This gives you instant access to the lessons without the need to leave your home. You can find guitar lessons on YouTube, which will go through the steps for you, and then you can practice them on your own.

However, pre-recorded videos may not be what you’re looking for if you aren’t confident in your abilities yet. You may want a course that offers online interactions with an instructor. This will allow you to play the chords for your teacher, who can tell you if you’re doing it correctly or not.

Either way, there are plenty of online courses you can try out. Below you’ll find two of the best options for you to take a look at, but you’ll still want to look around to find the best instructor for you.

Justin Guitar

This is such a great option because there are so many lessons available to you and they are completely free. You can sign up for his online community or check out Justin’s YouTube channel for all of his free content.

Justin’s teaching style is easy to follow along with, which is great for beginners. If you’re looking for a wider range of experience, this may not be the best option for you since Justin is the only instructor here.

Guitar Tricks

Guitar Tricks is another well-known guitar course that’s free to try but will cost you $19 a month after the trial. That isn’t too bad, considering all of the things you can get from this company. Guitar Tricks has a library of over 11,000 videos to get you playing your guitar in no time.

Guitar Tricks has been around since 1998 and were the first to create online guitar lessons. There are lessons for all ages, at all levels of experience. The instructors are from all over the world and provide students with a great curriculum to play the guitar in no time.

Sign Up for In-Person Lessons

If you’re the kind of person that needs someone in person to help walk you through things, you can always sign up for in-person lessons at a local music store or a specialized shop that offers guitar lessons. Depending on your area, you might find several options for what you need.

Make sure you’re comfortable with the teaching approach the instructor takes. Find a program that works for you and your level of experience.

Get an App on Your Phone or Tablet

Just like with online courses, there are apps for your phone or your tablet that can teach you how to play the guitar at any age in any location you want. This opens up your mobility for where you can learn, and some even allow you to record as you practice so you can listen to your progress.

There are many apps out there. Go with one that you feel comfortable with. Below you’ll find a list of some apps you can try out to find the best one suited for you.

Guitar Tricks – Like their online courses, their app is one of the best because of how easy it is to get started and how many lessons are available.
Justin Guitar – The app interface for Justin Guitar is easy to use, and as mentioned with his online courses, his material is easy to follow.
Guitar Pro – Guitar Pro has various displays for the music so that you can choose the best learning method for your style. This makes the app a good one for beginners.
Amplitube – This app lets you practice and record yourself no matter where you are.

Practice, Practice, Practice

One of the biggest things you need to remember is to practice, practice, and practice some more. The only way to get better at something is to practice all the time. However, that means nothing if you don’t know how to practice.

It’s more than just knowing the chords. You need to know the body movements you have to make. The way your fingers move and the muscles associated with the chords. When you start taking your guitar lessons, whether online or in person, make sure you pay attention to the instructors’ body language and try to familiarize yourself with it. When you practice, try to practice those movements as well.

4 Ways Learning Guitar Improves Seniors’ Quality of Life

Learning how to play the guitar in your later years can improve your overall quality of life dramatically. Not only will it help reduce stress and anxiety, but it’s inspiring for the young generations to see seniors learning new skills and hobbies.

A Strong Sense of Community

Music has a way of bringing people together. Those who play instruments and those who simply enjoy listening often come together to create a beautiful community of people. Seniors can join groups in their area for practice or lessons. Or perhaps their families would enjoy a concert put on by their relatives.

Reduce Stress

Many find that learning to play the guitar can greatly improve stress levels in people of all ages. There is something about picking at the guitar that brings someone into focus and calms down their minds. As a senior, you may find that this kind of brain activity is just what you need to relieve the stressors of life.

Improve Joint Health

There are a lot of movements that your body will need to learn to play the guitar effectively. This typically involves a lot of joint movements, particularly in the wrists and elbows. Learning to play the guitar is likely to help improve the health of joints in seniors by strengthening the muscles around them.

Playing the guitar helps maintain the mobility of their hands and fingers because of the quick movements your hands have to make. There is no proven study that shows guitar playing is a cure for joint illnesses such as arthritis. However, it doesn’t hurt to try.

Inspire Younger Generations

There is something so inspirational about an older person picking up an instrument and learning a new skill. When younger generations learn that a senior learned to play the guitar in their older age, it boosts their confidence to try it for themselves. Knowing that someone in their 60s and 70s can still learn new things instills in those younger kids that nothing is impossible.

Summary

You might not be the next Jimi Hendrix, but learning how to play the guitar can be quite rewarding as a senior. Learning something new at an older age comes with a major sense of accomplishment that can inspire all generations. Hopefully, this article has given you important facts about how seniors can learn to play the guitar.

Can Seniors Learn To Play the Guitar? Important Facts