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Viktoriia

May 26, 2025

“I’m Too Old” and Other Myths: The Top Excuses for Not Learning Guitar — and 5 Science-Backed Reasons You Should Start Today

You’ve probably said it, or heard it said:
“I wish I learned guitar when I was younger.”
“I don’t have the time.”
“I’m not musical enough.”

These inner narratives — as familiar as they are limiting — are often what keep people from one of the most accessible, beneficial, and rewarding hobbies out there: learning to play the guitar.

But here’s the truth: picking up a guitar isn’t just about playing songs. It’s about engaging your brain, soothing your nervous system, connecting with others, and building a personal outlet for creativity and self-regulation. And science backs it up.

Let’s break down the five most common myths, and then look at five thoroughly grounded, research-supported reasons to start today — no matter your age or background.

Five Common Myths — And Why They Don’t Hold Up

“I’m past my prime”

Reality check: The idea that musical skills must be learned in childhood is outdated.

  • Adult learners exhibit slower short-term gains compared to children, but retain more long-term motivation and attention to detail.
  • Neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change and grow) persists throughout adulthood — especially when learning complex tasks like musical instruments.

Real-world proof: Jazz guitarist Pat Martino re-learned guitar in his 50s after brain surgery. Countless amateur players have taken their first lesson post-retirement.

Conclusion: You’re not too old. You’re just on time.

“I don’t have the time”

You don’t need hours a day — just minutes with intention.

  • 10–15 minutes of daily focused practice over several weeks yields measurable improvement in beginner guitarists.
  • Apps like JustinGuitar, Fender Play, or Yousician are designed around micro-lessons — perfect for 10-minute breaks or lunch sessions.

Pro tip: Schedule guitar the same way you’d schedule a short walk or coffee break. And keep your guitar visible — it increases spontaneous practice.

“I’m not musically gifted”

Musicality isn’t innate — it’s learnable.

  • Ear training, rhythm awareness, and dexterity can all be developed — often faster in adults, because of stronger cognitive associations.

Reminder: If you can tap a beat or sing along to a song, you have the raw tools. The rest is just structure and repetition.

“Guitars are too expensive”

Top-tier guitars can be pricey, but quality entry-level options are more accessible than ever.

  • Brands like Yamaha (F, FS, and FG series), Epiphone, Harley Benton, and Donner offer excellent starter guitars under $250.
  • Many stores now offer rent-to-own and 0% financing.
  • The used market (via Reverb, Craigslist, or local shops) is booming, with lightly used instruments available at 30–50% below retail.

Essential tip: Invest $50–100 in a proper setup — even for a budget guitar. It will dramatically improve playability.

“My hands are too small / big / awkward”

There’s no perfect hand size. There’s just matching the right guitar to your body.

  • Short-scale acoustics (24″–24.75″), 3/4-sized models, or “parlor” guitars are perfect for smaller hands.
  • Thicker neck profiles and wider nuts suit larger hands — classical guitars, baritones, or 12-strings can all work better depending on your needs.

Fact: Django Reinhardt played with two functional fingers on his fretting hand. Phil Keaggy lost part of a finger. Tommy Iommi made his own prosthetics.

Your hands are not a limitation — just a starting point.

Five Proven Reasons to Learn Guitar — Backed by Science

Mental Health: Playing Guitar Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Playing music lowered cortisol levels and increased subjective well-being in adults — especially with string instruments.

🎵 Guitar gives:

  • Meditative focus (like mindfulness)
  • Emotional expression (a non-verbal outlet)
  • Dopamine release from progress and repetition

Even brief sessions of playing reduce symptoms of anxiety and improve sleep patterns.

Cognitive Health: Enhances Brain Function and Aging

  • Learning instruments boosts executive function, memory, and motor skills.
  • Playing guitar requires bilateral coordination, cross-modal processing (ear–eye–hand), and working memory — all of which protect cognitive health in aging.

Bonus: Playing guitar while singing activates unique brain pathways linked to multitasking and language processing.

Physical Benefits: Improves Dexterity, Posture, and Circulation

Playing regularly helps develop:

  • Fine motor control in both hands
  • Grip strength and wrist flexibility
  • Better posture and shoulder mobility (when seated properly)

Some physical therapists even incorporate fretting exercises into rehabilitation for hand injuries.

Social and Emotional Connection

Playing guitar offers an instant social bridge:

  • Jam sessions, open mics, online forums, songwriting groups
  • Music therapy sessions (often group-based) that enhance empathy and communication

Even introverts report feeling more confident and socially connected when participating in musical communities.

Creative and Emotional Fulfillment

Guitar is one of the most emotionally expressive instruments — equally at home in raw singer-songwriter ballads and abstract ambient loops.

It empowers:

  • Storytelling (through lyrics or instrumental moods)
  • Creative problem solving (new chords, tunings, arrangements)
  • Personal reflection

Bonus insight: Creativity exercises the default mode network of the brain — responsible for imagination, empathy, and future planning.

Final Thoughts: There’s No “Too Late” in Music

You don’t need to become a professional. You don’t even need to “get good.” You just need to start. The benefits — psychological, cognitive, physical, social — begin the moment you commit to learning something new.

Let your excuses fall away. Let your curiosity speak louder than your fear. And let your first note — however simple — be the start of something uniquely yours.

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