INTRO
Justin Sandercoe of justinguitar.com lends GT his insight as one of the world’s most successful guitar teachers. This month: Older Learners.
Justin’s Food For Thought, Mitch’s Session Shenanigans, Instrumental Inquisition, Phil’s One-Minute Lick, That Was The Year, Quist’s Jam Track tips & more.
I’ve had over 10 emails recently from ‘older learners’ worrying that they started too late to learn guitar and might never be able to play well. Can we define ‘older’? Some people in their late 20s think they started too late. So while I see this as primarily a mind game, there are some physiological impacts for learners over 60-ish which we’ll come to in a bit. You’re an older learner if you think you are, but that bit is just in your mind.
My earliest memories are with guitars and music; it wasn’t ever a choice, it just was. However, the majority of my professional guitar player friends started in their late teens; some in their late 20s and a handful that in their 40s.
There are advantages of starting young, and that’s why I encourage parents to get children into music as early as possible. But it is never too late. Let’s explore the variables.
TIME
The older we get the shorter the supply of it becomes. I remember back in my teens, spending all day, every day playing guitar. But these days I struggle to find an hour a day to practise. The best time to get fully immersed in something is when you’re young, have no responsibilities and all the time in the world. But that leisure time comes again in retirement - so you get a second chance to get fully absorbed if you so choose.
FEAR
The older you get the more fears are in your baggage to weigh you down. I love watching my daughter play ukulele because she is not worried about getting something wrong - she just dances around while she plays and enjoys herself. Isn’t that what it’s all about? When we get older and fill our minds with expectations about what we should be able to do and how long things take, there is the danger of losing some of that passion. No matter what age you are you should aim to engage with music as a beautiful and enjoyable experience, and not worry about if you’re ‘good enough’. I think the question should be; are you ‘enjoying it’ enough? If you are, then you’re likely to stick with it and enjoy it for many years to come, and if you’re not then your instrument will be gathering dust soon enough.
REALITY CHECK
If you start playing in your 70s it’s unlikely that you will ever reach the level of Tommy Emmanuel, who has been playing all day, every day for nearly 60 years. But that should not stop you enjoying the hell out of playing guitar. I’ve had many students over the years that take up playing in their 50s and go on to do gigs, some that explore songwriting and recording, and many that love entertaining their friends at social gatherings. Be realistic about your expectations and goals and it’ll mean you have a lot more energy for enjoying it.
FOCUS AND LOGIC
While many kids will be happy to play guitar all day there are very few I have met that enjoy practising with a routine, and that’s one area where older learners have the advantage. As we get older we understand the benefits of structure and focus and method - things that most teenagers (and younger) will struggle with (although not all, for sure), so that is one area to relish and use to your best advantage.
SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timerelated) goal setting is also something many younger learners struggle with - and if you see yourself as an older learner I would encourage you to be as detailed with your SMART goals as you can - the better defined they are the more likely you will be to reach them. Reflecting on the progress you are making and adapting your schedule for maximum enjoyment will also help keep you in the game.
PHYSIOLOGY
We change with the years and there ain’t nothing nobody gonna do ‘bout it. While I’ve no qualifications in this area I enjoy reading about the mind, psychology and philosophy, and combined they can give a great overall perspective into learning as we grow.
The brain is plastic. It changes and grows with us and the millions of neurons that build our cognitive function can change depending on how we use them. To greatly simplify, synapses that fire together grow stronger together and thus the way we use our brain will influence how it grows, and which parts will grow strongest (Google ‘neuroplasticity or Hebbian theory’ for more - or check out the incredible book The Brain That Changes Itself).
The truth is, that you use it or you lose it. Research suggests that if not kept active, the ability of the brain to change itself becomes weaker after 40 and that falls steeper after 70. But the good news is that there’s growing evidence that learning a new skill can help the brain stay healthy in many ways, and potentially delay the onset of many degenerative brain diseases. I should also point out that physical fitness is also a factor here - exercise releases hormones that can help the growth of new synapses. So going for a run might even help with your guitar playing.
You will often read about how helpful it can be to learn a new language after the age of 40. Well, music is a language too, but one with physical requirements that in some ways is much better for extending the brain and body’s function as we grow older.
Education has no time limit. Enough from me, I got practice to do. Stay safe my friends...
NO MATTER WHAT AGE YOU ARE, AIM TO ENGAGE WITH MUSIC AS A BEAUTIFUL AND ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE