Originally Posted by: diminHello fellow guitar enthusiasts. I am 68 years old and have wanted to play guitar all of my life. I have tried off and on for most of my young adult and adult life and for reason or reasons unknown, I just couldn't do it. The one thing I want to accomplish before I depart this planet is to play this instrument. I have no aspirations to be an Eddie Van Halen or his equivalant, I just want to be able to sit down with the family at Christmas and maybe pick out a few Christmas songs or on the back porch during one of those long summer nights. I don't know if the problem is lack of co-ordination, rythym, understanding, technique or just plain talent, but I am and always have been desperate to learn. Does anyone think there is any hope for a 68 year old man to learn at this stage of the game or should I just hang it up and go on to another dream? Don't hold back, I'm a tough old bird! :p

Me too!! Hi Dimin, Let me tell you, the day you tell yourself I can't, buy a shovel and start diggin!
remember as a baby, you started breathing all by yourself, then walking, okay you fell over a few times but you made it. Thats just the beginning you havn't stopped learning, you just gotta carry on now, its just another skill you have to learn. I'm just a few years behind you and last year I finally took my motorcycle test and passed 1st time, guess where I'll be next year. well yes I'll be practiceing on the guitar but I will also be jumping out of a perfectly serviceable airplane to try Skydiving!! You should know I'm terrified of heights but I just don't want to reach 80 and have to say God I wish I had done that when I was younger!! same goes for the guitar,but everyone is right that whatever you do you need to practice to become good. A lot of people say they do not have time, I used to be one of them but now I get up half an hour earlier in the morning to practice my scales and finger excercises on the guitar. Instead of watching TV at night, I try to aim for at least an hour to two hours practiceing finger excercises and licks. But please hang in there remember all the great guitarists were once at the same stage as we are now and the difference between winners and quitters is this; WINNERS NEVER QUIT............ QUITTERS NEVER WIN!
"Old Guys Rule" :)