Help: Geezer learning guitar

Subject: Geezer learning guitar
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 02:50 PM

Dear Mudcat,

I wonder if y'all might help me?

I'm a forty-something guy with a little time and an old acoustic guitar and I'd like to learn to play. I'm currently going through a book called "Introducing Guitar - Book I" by Andrew Scott and Gary Turner (Jupiter2 Ltd., c1994). But I'm wondering if anyone out there have specific suggestions or book, tape, cd, video ideas. Or...do you think I would be better served by a real, live teacher. I've been avoiding that alternative because of the money and being embarassed of my geezerhood.

At this point I'm learning in the book about tuning, elementary music reading (i. e. individual notes played in little phrases G A C B D), and a couple of chords.

I love the sound of the thing, am reasonable intelligent and I have all my fingers and toes -- please advise.

pdalessa

Subject: RE: Help: Geezer learning guitar
From: Midchuck
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 03:30 PM

Geezer? 40-something? You ain't but a pup.

Get someone who knows some guitar to show you how to hold the thing, and the three main chords in the two or three most common keys. Then practice singing while strumming the thing and trying to get the chords to ring clean and the changes fast enough so you don't choke trying to hold the note long enough to finish changing the chord.

When you can do that, get back to us.

Peter.

(Just turned 60. Been playing since 18. Planning to start practicing hard and get really good Real Soon Now.)

Subject: RE: Help: Geezer learning guitar
From: Bardford
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 03:37 PM

Hey pdalessa - You're never too old to have a happy childhood! Best bet is to get a teacher. Even if it's a group night class through the local school board. I'm in the same ,uh, demographic as you, and when I decided to learn the guitar acouple of years ago, that's how I did it. Guess what? Class was full of geezers. Had a good instructor, played Tom Dooley, and I sucked. Done graduated and got me a diploma too - "Certificate of Completion-Guitar 1"

I'm more into the fiddle right now, seems to fit me better and I find it (surprisingly, to some) easier to play.

Certainly don't be embarrassed about starting a new learning thang at this point in your journey. Like my good pal Wayne Gretzky always says - "One hundred percent of the shots you don't take don't go in the net."

Good luck
Bardford

Subject: RE: Help: Geezer learning guitar
From: SharonA
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 03:42 PM

45-year-old geezer guitarist here (geezerette, actually). Check out this thread for more advice: "g'dam (Beginning Guitar Questions)" CLICK HERE

Good luck, and have fun!

Subject: RE: Help: Geezer learning guitar
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 03:46 PM

Pdalessa: I learned how to play at 33. A buddy of mine while I was stationed aboard USS Kennedy showed me three chords. I bought some books and practiced after work every waking moment when I wasn't standing watch. I purchased a chord encyclopedia but some books do have the tablature. I'm still learning at forty-six. I'm good enough where small children don't run screaming into the night. Good luck and buckle up man! you're in for a hell of a ride. Kindest regards, Neil

Subject: RE: Help: Geezer learning guitar
From: Bobert
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 03:52 PM

Yo, youngin. First of all, the 40-something geeze stuff don't hunt here in the Catbox since there are lots of folks, well... ahhhh... older. Oh, to be a 40-something geeze again... Jus funnin' with ya...

There is a thread entitled "Songs with two chords" I think you'll find helpful. It's always nice to sing while you're learning. Speaking of which, good strings and a tuner, if you haven't allready acquired, are a must.

Good luck.

Bobert

Subject: RE: Help: Geezer learning guitar
From: SharonA
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 04:02 PM

pdalessa: If you don't mind telling us where you're located, there's a very good chance that someone on this Forum will be able to tell you where to find some folk-music societies, song circles and the like.

Getting out and playing along with other guitarists in an informal group is an inexpensive alternative to hiring a teacher; just ask your neighbor in the group, "Hey, how did you do what you just did [make a chord, play a succession of notes, etc.]?" It's also a great way to build your confidence as you learn to switch chords and play in rhythm with the group (any mistakes you make won't stand out in a room full of guitar players!).

Subject: RE: Help: Geezer learning guitar
From: Charcloth
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 04:32 PM

For a good place to begin,go to a good book store (like Barns & Noble or such ilk) & for about $15 pick up the Klutz Press book & tape "Country & blues Guitar for the Musically Hopeless" Written by Carol McComb. You won't pick like Doc Watson, but you'll have a good handle on the basics & even if you get a teacher, it would still make a good text book.
By the way they have one on playing the Harmonica too & that's how I learned it.
Good Luck Charcloth

Subject: RE: Help: Geezer learning guitar
From: Ian Darby
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 06:30 PM

If I were you I'd buy a guitar tuner. The hardest thing I found was getting in tune in the first place. (Me Mam used to tune up for me.)

I started learning with a book called, I think, 'Guitar', or 'Play Guitar' by Dan Morgan.

Once you've got a few chords (A D & E are excellent) down try and learn one song all the way through.

Sing while you're playing, tap your foot to keep in time, and don't worry if your chord changes sound sloppy at first, they'll clean up with practice.

If you like Dylan, get hold of one of his songbooks, most of his stuff is in good guitar keys and the tunes are easy to pick up. (Creedence Clearwater stuff is also pretty good for learning.)

If you get any stuff that's written in Eb/Bb/Ab etc, P.M. me and I'll send you a chart to show you how to transpose the chords to easy guitar keys.

Keep at it and you'll be okay in no time, and there's enough people on here to keep you on the right track.

Finally, there are hundreds of guitar videos out there, treat yourself to a couple. If you think they're a bit beyond you now they'll certainly come in useful later on.

Good Luck

Ian.

Subject: RE: Help: Geezer learning guitar
From: 53
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 06:53 PM

You are never to old to learn. Just practice hard every day and I'm sure that you will see results.

Subject: Lyr Add: TALKING GUITAR BLUES
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 07:26 PM

Talkin' Gittar Blues

If you wanna to get in trouble let me tell you how to do it
Get a Guitar and you're right into it
Practice all day and half the night
Folk's keep sayin' you never will get it right
Fussing atcha'
Griping,
Grousin' around
Won't let you practice.
Tryin' to run ya' out into the henhouse.

I bought a Guitar about a year ago,
The feller said I'd learn in a week or so
Gave me a Book and a pick or two, Said there ya' go Bub, it's up to you,
That dirty Dog!
Wish I could see him now,
Charged me $4.95....
Every cent of money I had too.......

For weeks and weeks I labored hard,
Trying to learn them three old chords
The book said it was easy as A.B.C.
But man my fingers was a-killin' me,
Got right sore on the ends,
Couldn't mash the strings down.
Felt wore out....
Wanted ta' quit......

But I played that Guitar with all my might,
Saw Ma's hair turning white.
Her face was lined with discontent,
She said her patience was damn near spent!
Said her ears was ringing,
Felt nervous,
Agitated,
Wanted to scream.

My sister took it worst of all,
She got married that coming fall,
She says for Love, but I got my doubts,
I think my Guitar chased her out,
She's a game girl,
Won't admit it though,
Real Cool....
Just couldn't take it.

My Father he took it in a different way,
Said, "Son, you may turn your Ma's hair grey,
And run your sister from home, but Son,
Either me or you one is a-goin' roamin',
And I ain't leaving Boy,
I never intended to,
You figger it out."

But since I'd already spent my dough,
I couldn't let it go to waste, ya' know?
So I took my Guitar, Book and all,
I was a headin' out....standin' tall
Mebbee go ta' Nashville,
Get me a big Hat,
Fancy shirt.....
Snakeskin boots......
Re-paint my Guitar,
Make it look like a D-28....
Mebbee not......

Next morning, with my Guitar on my back,
I headed on down the railroad track;
I caught the end of a long freight train,
To search the world for my share of Fame,
But I ain't found any.
Nothin but heartaches......
Hardship......
Hand-outs....
Would someone please pass the offering plate?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: Geezer learning guitar
From: 53
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 11:32 PM

That's a good story Spaw, but don't your fingers get tired from typing?