I get asked these questions quite often. First of all I would like to start off by saying… NO and NO !! Anyone can learn how to play the guitar or do anything for that matter. As long as they are willing to work at it. However let’s break these down and give real world advice on each.
1. Am I too young ??
This question is usually asked by parents who want their children to take up classes. What I tell parents is that I like to start with children who are from about the age of 7. The reason for this is because at this age the students are able to focus a little more and grasp the concepts that are taught in the classes. With that being said, there are schools / instructors out there that specialise on taking in very young students and introduce them into the world of music. These people are specialists and focus on purely dealing with very young children. So if you would like your child to start before the age of 7, please seek out these specialists and settle for nothing less. Please watch out for schools / instructors that are too willing to take on very young students as many are not equipped for the job.
One thing to also consider is that expectations need to be managed for very young students. I personally like to take my time with young students initially. I purposely do this to ensure that they are grasping what I am showing them. Remember what we are trying to do here is build an excellent foundation that we can continuously build on as the student ages. I openly discuss this with parents and help them understand the process. I also help get the parents involved and essentially equip them with the tools to help their children at home. This is vital for me as most of the child’s progress should always be done at home during practice sessions. I ensure that the practice times are effective as parents are able to be my eyes and ears outside of the classroom.
So in short I like students to be 7 years of age and above. If you would like your child to start before 7, please seek out a specialist.
2. Am I too old ??
My answer here is always a resounding NO !! I personally I do not feel that a student is ever too old to begin learning how to play. Many people feel that they won’t progress well as they did not start when they were young. This could not be further from the truth. If anything ‘older’ students could possibly possess more tools to succeed. Let me explain… Many young students are unable to motivate themselves to practice when things get a little trickier on the instrument. They rely heavily on the fun factor. So as soon as things get tricky or a certain section puzzles them, they become less likely to practice. On the other hand adults are able to set goals and work hard on them. They are able to push through the good times and the tricky times. I assure you that learning how to play the guitar, as with anything in life, is not always going to be easy. So having the motivation to push through is vital.
It’s never too late to start learning. As long as you have passion, are motivated and are willing to do the work, you will do excellently well.
So in short you are NEVER too old to start taking lessons. You have all the tools you need to become a guitar beast. Don’t delay, believe in yourself and take the plunge today.
I hope I answered these questions for you. If you have any more, please let me know.
Mario