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Question: Is it more difficult to learn to play the guitar at age 25 than age 15!?
I heard young people can learn faster, so am I gonna have a more difficult time to learn how to play since I'm 26 and a beginner!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Being older you might be able to caught one quicker!. Yea, its better to start when you younger, but better start now rather than not to start at all!. Just slowly learn everything just like a beginner and by 28-29 you'll be doing pretty good if you stick with it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The ability to learn quicker new skills may depend on various factors with age being one of the important ones!.
"Other things being equal "a person at age 15 most likely can
achieve proficiency in attaining manual/finger dexterity (needed to play a string instrument) than a person in his 40's!.

Notice that I emphasize "other things being equal" because innate intelligence and the ability to respond quickly to brain messages between two individuals is also a factor!.

My own example: I became interested in playing the classical guitar in my early 70's !
I was familiar with the musical staff since as a child I played the violin and piano, and learning by myself via various instructional material I can perform "good" as an amateur !.

I am now on my third year with the guitar and I can play about 50% of all the pieces found in music books published for intermidiate level classical guitar!.
My biggest problem is gaining "fingering-speed" which a young person with the same level of "innate intelligence" could perform more rapidly!.
This is where age comes into consideration!.
My reaction is much slower than a younger person!.
(Just like older boxers in the ring - they can see a punch
coming but are not fast enough to get out of the way-)

At age 26 (everything else being equal) I cannot imagine of
a "handicap" that will prevent you from learning the guitar and
become quite proficient at playing it for your own pleasure and to entertain your friends!.

If you wish it hard enough you could do it with much practice!.
Remember: Wishing alone won't do it!.
Good LuckWww@QuestionHome@Com

Well according to a study, people who are aged longer tend to be slow at learning something new!. It is true that younger people can play faster, because younger people tend to have more energy than older people!. I myself started at the mere age of 8, and I was damn good at the age of 10!. I had a friend who started at the age of 18, and didn't become very good until the age of 23!. My point is here, as you get older, you tend to learn things slower than younger people!. It might take you a couple more years to get good at the guitar, and maybe even get it to point where it could be your career (I would not advise, trust me, I'm a so called "rockstar", I hate the music business)!. But anyway, it you would get good eventually, and depending how much time you devote to it, it could vary!. Hope this helps!

-NakayamaWww@QuestionHome@Com

I learned to play at 25 and thought it was fairly easy!. I had experience with other instruments though, so I think that helped!. If this is your first instrument then it might be a little more difficult but don't let that stop you! Give it a shot, it you put forth a solid effort and practice you should be able to learn anything!. Good Luck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is true the younger you start the better but don't let that stop you!. It can be very full filling to learn at any age!. Music is a wonderful thing!.
I work in a music store!. I knew of a woman in her 70's that started taking violin lessons and really was enjoying it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I don't think you will have a harder time to learn!. It's all about how much time you have to put into learning!. I have found this website that is a really good instructional site and it has several forums where people can ask questions and get help!. Several people are beginners who are middle aged so it should help you!. Check them out today!.
http://www!.rockhousemethod!.com/!?friend=1!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is harder to learn when older rather than young because when young your brain is still developing!. But it really won't make that much of a difference when learning an instrument as long as you are patient and are willing to learnWww@QuestionHome@Com