Have you worked with adult beginner students?
This may be one of our most popular questions asked! We decided to go directly to the experts to get this question answered! This week's blog is raw, honest, and insightful as we see how guitar lessons are beneficial for students of any age, and especially those adult students who are looking to begin music lessons for the first time! Thanks, Juan, for the charismatic blog!
As a guitar teacher, I work with students of nearly all ages. My youngest is 4 and my oldest 64! Often, people ask me if there is an age limit on taking guitar lessons or beginning for the first time. The answer is, NO; it is never too late to start learning an instrument, whether it be guitar, voice (singing), piano, or anything else. In fact, all of my adult students (ages 30-64) are the guitar students who take most seriously their guitar lessons and practice. They are funding their own lessons, so the motivation to learn and make the most of what they are learning is sometimes higher. There is also the added element of more advanced and complex musical theory and rhythm that can be incorporated into lessons with older beginners. Having already had a background of education and study, and likely having a career, most adult guitar students carry the required discipline to treat their instrument learning experience as valuable and important.
Here are some questions that I get from curious adult beginner guitar and music students:
Q: I’m looking for guitar for beginners. When is it too late to start with guitar or another instrument?
A: NEVER! Start now!
Q: I want to learn how to play songs that I like, so when I’m with family or friends, we can share music together. Can you teach me these songs?
A: Yes! Absolutely! I can teach you easy guitar songs or more advanced renditions of your favorite classic rock, pop, folk, jazz, and anything in between!
Q: I want to learn about music theory and how music works on a structural and practical level. Can this be learned without playing experience?
A: It does help to have some technical ability in playing the instrument, however it IS possible to learn about theory as you are learning to play your instrument.
Q: I know how to play guitar just a bit and am somewhat self-taught, but feel confined by what I know. How can I grow to be able to play new styles, play lead guitar, write my own songs, or even perform?
A: I work with students on technique, guitar chords, varying styles, finger-picking and rhythms, scales and lead guitar licks, performance technique, and harmony so that they can feel comfortable expressing, writing, and learning new songs with their instrument without feeling intimidated or overwhelmed.
All in all, if you're on the fence about starting to learn guitar as an adult, my advice is to DO IT! There have been multiple studies proving that playing an instrument can relieve stress, improve mood, impact socialization by bringing you together with loved ones, and even make you smarter through increased brain function. It's an incredibly rewarding experience to be able to make music from your own fingertips, and this is truly possible at any age. The only thing holding you back is YOU. So sign up for lessons, dive in, and see how you feel!
To answer our initial question, "Have you worked with adult beginner students?" The answer is YES. One hundred times, YES! We LOVE working with beginners. And beginner music lessons is one of our fortes.
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