Guitar Players - Is It Hard?

[hercule]

My wrist isn’t flexible enough to stretch round the neck of a guitar. I took up the (acoustic) mandolin about 6 or 7 years ago (zero prior musical experience except abortive attempts to learn the violin in my early 20s) and whilst I may not be good in any absolute sense it gives me a huge amount of pleasure and I like the noise I make! TAB is a quicker way to learn than using standard musical notation, but if you learn to read music you’ve got access to fiddle music, banjo music, etc. As an instrument it’s relatively cheap, there’s a wide variety of music styles you can play, and it’s fairly quiet so you’re not going to disturb the neighbours as you practice. I set myself a goal of practicing 15 minutes per day no matter what and I surprised myself with the progress I made. Simon Mayor’s books are good tutors.

Last year I felt I had gained enough musical confidence to take up the cello. Initial steps were faltering but I’ve found a good teacher (you really need a teacher for the cello, unlike the mando) and it is supplanting my mandolin in my affections. No frets, so it requires a more musical ear - I don’t think I’d have been able to play without the experience of the mandolin. Easier than the fiddle as you don’t need to contort yourself so much to be able to play. Not very portable though and the neighbours definitely know when you’re practicing. Fortunately mine are a long way away. But every so often it all works for a few bars and it sounds magical.

[Vorpal]

If you can learn a keyboard, you can certainly learn other instruments.

I play cello in the city orchestra, and have played a little of various other instruments (including guitar). While I would say a little talent helps, and some people certainly have a knack for one instrument or another, the most important thing is practice.

So, if you are motivated to practice, minor differences in difficulty, playing methods, etc. are unlikely to be barriers to learning. If you aren't motivated, anything can be a barrier.

I would recommend trying some instruments, if you can, and see what you take a liking to?

[Audax67]

3-strings are fun. There's an Austrian bloke makes dead flat pickups - http://www.flatpup.com - so that you don't have to cut chunks out of your neck. Haven't tried them, but they have to be better than piezos.

[mattheus]

Is playing violin or cello difficult?
There are no marks, how does one know where to put ones fingers?

Just watch your audience.

[Vorpal]

Is playing violin or cello difficult?
There are no marks, how does one know where to put ones fingers?

Just watch your audience.

If you can't hear the difference, it's probably best to pick another instrument.

[Cyril Haearn]

Perhaps Vorpal and the other musicians of this parish could form a chamber orchestra, like the Wimps LeJoG Project

[Pastychomper]

... While I would say a little talent helps, and some people certainly have a knack for one instrument or another, the most important thing is practice.
...

I know an excellent pianist who's often been told he's lucky to have such talent. His reply (not necessarily out loud) is, "Yeah, the more I practice, the luckier I get."

[jazzkitten]

Hey guitarists! How are you now? I want to strat playing now guitar but idk if it is worth it to start playing at 35. Is it not too late?

[al_yrpal]

Have a go, cheap guitar from the dump shop or car boot. You may surprise yourself. If you have kids start them young.

Good luck

Al

[iandriver]

Certainly not too late in your mid 30s. Agree with all the posts that say persevere to get the basic cords down, a stage a lot of people fall over at, then you'll be able to play along for many years to come.

I rate perseverance and application. All the really good players I know aren't just talented (which many people think is all there is to it), they actually worked tirelessly at it also. You can do a lot without an abundance of talent, you probably just won't ever be famous.

[Paulatic]

Hey guitarists! How are you now? I want to strat playing now guitar but idk if it is worth it to start playing at 35. Is it not too late?

I tried in my teens and didn’t get anywhere.
Bought another aged 55 and it wasn’t long before I could knock tunes out. What had changed in those years? YouTube it’s full of videos showing you how to play whatever style you wish.

[Carlton green]

Hey guitarists! How are you now? I want to strat playing now guitar but idk if it is worth it to start playing at 35. Is it not too late?

There are quite a few instruments in the guitar family, or should that be there are quite a few instruments in the lute family including the classical six string guitar. Some of those lute family instruments are easier to play than others …

Any instrument worth playing has its challenges but application, perseverance and practise help a lot; talent helps but even the talented have to practise. Thirty five isn’t old for learning an instrument for pleasure; don’t expect too much of yourself, give it a go and be pleased with whatever you manage.

[Pastychomper]

...talent helps but even the talented have to practise.

I have a friend who's a really good pianist. From time to time people tell him how lucky he is to have such a talent. His response: "Yeah, the more I practice, the luckier I get."

[mattheus]

I want to strat playing now guitar but ...

This must be in the Top Ten of Freudian Typos

[simonineaston]

All I’m saying is there’s a shed load of great yt channels on every style of playing, so even if you’re as resoundlingly bad at playing as I am, you can absolutely have great fun trying, in the privacy of your own home. Plus there are hundreds of decent guitars out there on fb marketplace at bargainateous prices suitable for learners.