Fifty years of holding guitars, but zero years of really playing.

Hello. I am new to all of this, but not new to guitars. I have decided that after roughly fifty years of trying to play, it's time to actually learn something about guitars. At age seven or eight, I made a deal with a friend to buy an electric guitar. His dad wasn't happy when he found out his kid had stolen his guitar and sold it for $5! I gave the guitar back, but I'm pretty sure I never got my five bucks back. As a teenager, I took group lessons and individual lesson, but it's safe to say I was not a successful student. Currently, I have an old Applause acoustic that I bought about 1978. Every few years I have gone through a phase where I pick the guitar up again. I still can't really play much except a few chords and two finger picking patterns.
It looks like there are other oldsters here who are trying to do what I'm trying to do. Is there anyone on staff who is especially adept at working with old, easily frustrated, non-plastic brains? My goal is to be able to play some John Denver, maybe some James Taylor, but I realize I will probably never be able to play like Michael Hedges.

Be sure to check out Dale Turner's series of lessons on Campfire Chords with Character. He explains how to create more interesting chords by adding extra notes. He gives several strumming and fingerstyle examples that sound very much like "singer-songwriter" playing. I think you'll like it. I'm not a great player, but I'm sure I can use some of what he teaches to make my playing more satisfying (to me and anyone listening!). Good luck.

Welcome to the site TFields!

Lisa McCormick has A LOT of acoustic tutorials here on the site, and she does a really good job explaining everything in a simple manner.

There are plenty of more advanced acoustic tutorials too, but Lisa's lessons are a good place to start.

/Ben

I can relate. Similar story here, but we haven't given up on this beautiful instrument. I can say mine has given me countless hours of enjoyment over the many years of twanging and banging. So what if I can't get up in front of a crowd and entertain? I didn't buy it for anyone but me and I absolutely love the time I spend with my guitars. Yes I have 3 now. That said, I think we are in the right place finally (Guitar Tricks). This is the best site Ive seen online by far. There's something for everyone, Guitar styles and levels. A sense of accomplishment and goals to achieve. Hang in there and go at your own pace. Just continue loving that guitar and you'll never regret the time you spend with it. Good Luck
Ampy

Thanks! I'll check out the suggested instructors within the site. I've done most of the first two Learning System blocks of lessons and I have to say they scared me a lot. I don't do piano, so the music theory was way too much, too fast for a guy like me. I'll try the campfire stuff. It sounds more my speed.

This is an awesome place to get started. I've been "playing" for a long time too but never really took it seriously until a few years ago. I've found just jumping around in here with sounds, tuts, etc that I have learned quite a bit. I latched on to a simple minor scale, and opened up all kinds of doors to what I am able to do with the guitar. That's ONE scale. Stick with it and you too will see what you have stored inside of you that's just waiting to bust out...