Now, I realize that not everyone who reads my emails and blog posts is at retirement age, but I know that a lot of you are…
And one of the emails that I often get is from new retirees who now feel like they should have all this time to practice… but they find they aren’t really playing that much at all.
So if that’s you, or is about to be you, read on…
How Did I Ever Have Time To Work?
This is the one I hear the most… most folks I know that retire find sooooo many things to do in a day around the house, or traveling, that guitar playing simply takes a backseat to other things.
When you were working, everything took a backseat to that and now that the working time is available, you might have to take a little time and manage the priorities a little. Or at the very least, take stock of what is going to be a short term project that you’ve been waiting on, and what is becoming a habit now.
If you’re taking care of a few short term things because you can, then maybe that re-prioritizing can wait until those are done.
Take It Out And Leave It Out
Don’t put your guitar away where it’s an event to get it out and play it. Put it on a stand or a wall hanger where it’s easily accessible and you walk by it fairly regularly throughout your day.
Even go so far as to keep it tuned up, and when you want to grab it and play a few chords, just do exactly that. There’s no pressure, just play a minute and then move on.
Waiting for your spouse or your kids or grandkids? Play a few chords or a couple of licks and at least you’ll get that guitar in your hands and start to build the habit.
Remember That It’s Playing Guitar
You’ve spent your whole working life focusing on goals and deadlines and sometimes it’s just hard to do something for fun, with no pressure attached.
Realize that you play guitar because you enjoy it and because it’s something you’ve always wanted to do. You’ll get better just because you pick it up, and as you continue to build the habit, you’ll pick it up more and more.
Remember that 2×20 minutes is better than 1×40 minutes where practice is concerned. So playing that new lick or chord 3 or 4 times throughout the day for 5 minutes each will do much better in the long run that sitting down and playing it straight through for 20 minutes all in one sitting.
The attention required to practice and play guitar is a muscle like any other… the more you use it the better it’ll get. When I haven’t practiced much for a while, I get about 15 minutes before my mind wanders. But if I’ve been practicing regularly for weeks, I can go 40-45 minutes fairly easily. In my youth I played for 2 hours or more without stopping, but I simply can’t do that anymore and I doubt most of us can in our adult years.
That’s what I have for suggestions, but if you have retired recently and have any suggestions, I’m sure folks would love to hear from your experiences in the comments below.
99 replies to "Playing Guitar In Retirement?"
Hey Griff, Just came across this in my bookmarks which I can relate too.
I started to learn Blues Guitar with you @ BGU more when in 2015 I retired and downsized to a new home in the country. When Retired I lost a bit of time but I just made it a priority when watching TV with my wife I had an electric guitar in my hands(without an amp) and practiced scales. I have converted a 2nd Bedroom into my Music Den and have all my guitars around me on stands and all my Amps and a cupboard with all my BGU courses and Music stands with my current learning of BGU courses/lessons as well as Songs on my Acoustic Electric. During retirement I am able to focus on keeping up to date on Music via FB and practicing after dinner in my den and during the day..I find that each time I pick up a guitar I discover new things and that I am better each time around the Fret board. Thanks to BGU I am now either an advanced beginner or well into Intermediate as I can often jam with friends who are guitarists. All good.
Michael-Sydney-Australia August 2019.
The Hercules wall hanger is the best $45 I’ve spent on gear in a LONG time. If you’re handy get a nice piece of 1×6 pine and mount the hanger on it. THEN screw it to a nice solid stud in your wall. I used to play maybe once a week. Now I play twenty times a week. The improvement is exponential and you’re just using the time you used to spend procrastinating and making excuses for not playing.
Griff, I’m LEAV’IN IT OUT
and
enjoying PLAYING IT again.
Retired 2018
WOW! Thanks Griff ..I thought I was loosing my mind..i never picked up a guitar until I was 55. aug/2015.now its 10/22/18 and it did take a while for my fingers to get used to positions they have not been in before..but learning guitar has been a real challenge for me , it has been three years now..i have no one to play guitar with. so 99% of my guitar playing is thru BGU lessons..and as commited and excited as I am about learning to play guitar..it can get real boring at times and hard to focus..i have had some success as a business owner all my life…now you can see my frustration thinking I was going crazy, because it seems at times I have had a lack of focus. now I know it is not just all me..thanks for talking me off the ledge
I used to play in a band for about 15 years off and on. When I retired those who I played with are either not interested or just plain not around anymore. Not having anyone to play with makes it seem boring and useless to do anymore even though I still have all this gear and I do pick it up at times.
Hi Griff,
I really appreciate the tips about life with your guitar (playing it) after you have retired. I also find lots in common with most of the other folks who have commented on the topic too…
I retired from the service in early 2008 and my civilian job in 2013…there was little time to focus on guitar but I managed to maintain some consistency from 2008- 2013 and saw progress in several areas I.e. Bar chords and rhythm.
Around the end of 2013 I recommitted myself to keep a guitar out where it was handy and put in a few minutes most every day of the Week working on songs I like playing, chord progressions, petitioning scales etc. finally I bought a copy of rhythm mastery which I finished early this year and Blues guitar unleashed which I am presently working on, both courses have helped my skills and knowledge improve, which is very satisfying…
In retirement I have found that time seems to have sped up and that there are endless chores to take care of I.e picking up grandkids from school, violin recitals, baseball games, housework, yard work, fixing cars and many honey do’s self imposed and otherwise…not to mention, I feel a real need to relax and to try and control the pace of my life just a little too!
I’ve often wonder nowadays where the time came from to have a job?
Guitar has been a great way to relax (even though I set goals on BGU courses etc.)-sometimes my practice sessions go for an hour or two and sometimes they are fifteen minutes depending on what I feel I need to accomplish.
lately, I have been grabbing my acoustic and will park on the couch in the early morning (my quiet time) and work on songs I have written and parts of a course lesson I need to practice- the environment just feels good…
I’ve also been getting better at not getting too bummed out when I miss time with my guitar- I chock it up as a recovery time for my old fingers and tendons…
I know this much…I am sure glad Griff that you are around to offer your advice and guidance on the topics that surround playing guitar and this has helped add quality to my retirement years.
At work I had schedules to keep, at retirement that went out the window. You still have to prioritize and schedule time to play just like a job.
I semi retired in 2000 and decided to spend retirement getting better at guitar which i noodled on since my teens. Never happened until some friends and I started playing for charities , nursing homes and the like. This was the catalist that i needed to really get back into playing which has been a rewarding 6 years and many thanks to Griffs lessons
Griff,
You are right on the money about time once you’ve retired. I’ve been retired now about five years and I was looking forward to playing a lot of guitar but it just hasn’t happened yet LOL all the projects that we put off because were working seem to be the first things that have to get done once we retire I am now finally in a position that I can really Get some time to sit down and play. But I have been doing exactly what you said I leave my guitars out I have one sitting in the living room I have one in my office I have one in the man room and I keep them tuned up and if I have a minute to sit down and play or I hear a song on the radio or something on TV that I can pick up and play to I have a guitar readily available.
Thanks Griff for the talk. You’re right about time when retired. One finds so much to do around the house and taking Grand Kids to and from their practices there is not too many hours(or mins) left in your day. I’ll try putting my guitar out as you suggested and pick it when i walk by and play a tune or two. Thanks again. Keep up the good work.
Hi retired for a year now having time on my hands is wonderful however my wife thinks I should do the house work everyday yer like that’s going to happen lolalways had a guitar on standgoes without saying must say buying a looperall the way from china is the single most useable thing I’ve ever bought lay down a progresoin and jam your lead over it I did this with hey Joe by hendrixcould never play a solo to it and make sound good but with that 5 chord progression going round in circles within 30 minutes I was starting to sound professional yo can get a entire solo on hey Joe out of box one from the twelve fret up easy cous you can go anywhere on the neck and do it my jamming buddies down at the club are now inviting me to play a solo rather than me trying to push my way in same with black magic woman could play a bloody good recital of the solo fore years but never had the confidence to play it live now I just do it without thinking think that looper was the tool that gave me that lightbulb moment but hey grief thanks for the help over the years.rock on
I retired 1 1 2018,I have faced many physical changes over the last three yrs disc fusion C4 thru C7 for nerve damage from my neck to my left thumb &fore finger.That is nearly healed.Trigger finger my left middle finger surgery,and now I might have mineres disease which causes vertigo and deafness in one ear.Still I have been able to write 4 new songs and play out in church and around town
I am at a point where I can use the videos that you have sent me since my hand is about normal.I’m trying to improve my lead playing thanks for the help
I retired in 2009 and had hoped to make learning more about playing guitar my new job. I was going to work on Griff’s Beginning Blues Guitar course a couple of hours each weekday and go exercise for an hour or two at least three times a week. But, like you, I ended up with several physical problems that have plagued me ever since. I had fusion of C5-7 my last year at work and four lower back fusions (one about every two or three years) since retiring. I still have terrible pain in my back (failed back surgery syndrome). In October of 2016, I had carpal tunnel and trigger fingers (three fingers) of my right hand / wrist operated on and injections for trigger finger of the same three fingers of my left hand at that time. The first part of 2017, I had surgery of my left hand for the trigger fingers. I’m going to the doctor next week because I have trigger finger of my right hand again and I have a problem with the base of my right thumb which is very painful and might require surgery.
I mentioned all my problems because I’m still trying to learn more about playing the guitar. I’m an amateur song writer who can pick out the melody to my songs, never was real good at playing chords and strumming, and now that has become more difficult. But, I keep my guitars handy and keep buying guitar courses from Griff (even though I’m still working on that first course) in hopes that, one day before I kick the bucket, I’ll be able to hold and play the guitar without much pain ’cause I really want to make music.
Thanks Griff. I try to keep my guitars in sight most of the time when in the house. It encourages me to pick one up and play for a few minutes. Your advice is right on, as always.
I retired in 2012 and the last 15 years I worked so many hours that I never had time to play. But now with my mind not being distracted I have been able to learn things and play like I thought would never be possible. I’m now playing in a church band that allows me to play riffs and solos when appropriate and we learn 5 songs a week. I am having the time of my life playing now. P.S. I owe a lot of credit to Griff with all the help he has been to me Thanks, Griff !!!!!!
I’m sending this to my wife.
Great advice as always!
I’m a few years away but have played more now than ever in my life .
The best advice I have is to never think about doing something – as soon as the thought enters your head, pick up that guitar and start playing. Don’t sit and plan on that 1/2 hour you’ll have later; don’t decide if you really feel like it right now or not – just pick that thing up and next thing you know a couple of minutes has turned into half an hour.
I will be retiring soon. Been playing since the 60’s. Have many of Griff’s lessons. Looking to find others to Jam with,, just for fun. Have been unlucky. Any ideas? Located in Hartford, CT area.
Am retiring soon, what I have been looking for are others like me to jam with. Any help with this?
Where are you located
I sure hope I’ll be focused on guitar when I retire. I bought one of your programs 2 years ago or in anticipation of retirement and having a place to start getting back into it. Planning it for next year.
I am retiring end of the year. I have been worrying about losing my interest in the guitar, I’ve gotten too busy and drifted away from it. Really appreciate today’s inspirations, thank you. I want to go back and start over with BBG, then BGU and am really looking forward to my newest one, 4 note solo. Maybe dreams can come true. Keep the faith!
I plan to retire in a year, I’m thinking of making a schedule just like at work, X hours for yard work, X hours for car restoration, X hours for music. Also, I think it would be helpful to have guitar buddies to practice with, community college maybe
Oops That should read 11 o’clock for the left arm and 1 0’clock for the right arm
I have now been retired for almost six years and I have to say that i have never had so much fun playing. I have really been able to devote some serious time to practicing and slowly get into the deeper side of things i.e. theory etc. Being musically illiterate hasn’t helped but luckily I have always had the feel. Like Griff suggests, I always have a guitar on a stand and plugged in ready to go. I use YouTube a lot too. Hey, you even get to jam with dead people! If I had had YouTube when I was younger I wouldn’t have ruined all those vinyl LPs trying to figure out what Eric et al were doing and I’d probably be twice the player I am today. No Matter; it’s the adventure – the pleasure of being a life long learner! Blessings!
Griff, those are great pointers and suggestions. I feel somewhat exonerated because I’d already put most of them in place. Glad to hear even you get distracted after 15 minutes if you’ve been away from rehearsing for a while. My experience as well. I suppose if this is just a relaxing hobby it doesn’t matter how much or what I rehearse or learn. But at 66 after 5 years of retirement, if I’m going to get a band of geezers together to play geezer rock (60s-70s classic rock and blues) for parties and clubs and weddings it will have to be run somewhat like a business, or nothing will ever get accomplished. Like Michael Corleone said, “Just when I thought I was out… they pull me back in.” Ah, well. It’s always something, no? And I’m not anywhere near as accomplished at making things happen as Michael Corleone. Still, I have to try, and get while the gettin’ is good.
I heard Jason Bonham say that when his father John Bonham was alive and playing drums for Led Zeppelin, the table in the green room backstage at a concert routinely was covered with bottles of the finest whiskey, beer, champagne, etc. In the Led Zeppelin reunion concert at the O2 in London, 10 Dec 2007, in which Jason Bonham was the drummer filling in for his late dad, the table in the green room was covered with bottles of vitamins, mineral water, and Red Bull. Fear not my brothers and sisters, time waits for no one, and it won’t wait for us.
By the way, to Steve: Your band’s name, The Elderly Brothers, is the best one I’ve heard in a long time. Really made me laugh, good one!
As John Hammond said:
Too tired to walk, too tired to run
I can hear my baby callin’, too tired, too tired
Too tired, yes, I’m tired
I’m tired, too tired for anything
Since I retired six years ago Griff’s courses have been an ongoing source of joy and satisfaction. I’ve been playing guitar since the folk rage of the 60s, when I was a teen. I took a couple of years of lessons. I remember my teacher, the guitarist in the Bill Black Combo, one day coming in and teaching me the F major scale and then playing some boogie background and telling me to “Go, Man!” I didn’t have a clue how to improvise a solo and basically froze. We never tried that experiment again. After all these years, I finally understand how to construct a blues solo thanks to Griff.
Just retired at the age of 68. Still got grand kids to keep me busy but when my wife goes to work it’s great to play for a while in the kitchen.
Keep up the good work you do.
I had always intended to learn the guitar well but would lose interest after a week or so trying. Finally after the kids were grown and gone I decided I’m gonna do this if it kills me. So I started about two years ago to get serious about, I bought three or four of your courses and I try to play every day for at least an hour . I’m currently 58 and worn out from life but I love playing my guitar and music period . I was asked many times to sing with many different bands but married you know so I enjoy now what I put off for years . Tks Griff you’re a great teacher
To Ken M: I think you nailed it for us older folks “worn out from life” says much with few words. I find at 64 stuff that used to be fine doesn’t work so well, and the aging process has really slowed my interest in a lot of normal activities. My mind seems fine, but various body parts remain stiff and swollen and contributes to a more sedentary lifestyle. But I, like you, have the time and ability
to practice and enjoy guitar, which I knew I always wanted to play, but did not take it up until about mid-50’s. I truly appreciate your observation on how a Lifetime of Living wears us all down eventually. But, you nailed it, and God Bless. My best to you.
I retired in 2012 not really by choice and spent about 3 years burning time doing very little. I didn’t really think about guitar at the time, I was a gigging musician in my 20’s, was never really that good and pretty much quit playing for almost 20 years. I had pretty much given up on the guitar and thought the arthritis in my hands would stop me from being able to play well (it didn’t).
In 2016 I was talked into jamming with a guy at a party and got some positive comments which re-lit the fire for me. In the 2-1/2 years since, I’ve clocked several thousand hours on the instrument, I play a minimum of an hour a day every day. For me it’s a daily part of my morning coffee and breakfast, start fresh on my acoustic and see what comes out. I often find myself thinking about what I played through the day and later in the evening I’ll play one of my electric guitars and translate some of the ideas I had in the morning to that instrument.
For me guitar is now an obsession, not something everyone that plays can say, and I am constantly drawn to it. Rather than vegging out on TV or the Internet I now spend my free time playing. You don’t need lots of free time, get up and instead of watching TV pull out your Axe (get a stand and leave it out where you can see it) and play while having your coffee, even if it’s only 5 minutes. If you do this you’ll find yourself playing longer and longer and even if it’s only 5 minutes you’re moving froward not standing still. Playing has become something extremely rewarding for me and my effort has been rewarded, I can play many times better than I could when I was younger, maybe maturity is actually good for something for a change.
Hi Leo,I retired 2016, my story is very similar. having played for 60 yrs. approx. pro for a year in the late 60’s (magic) now finding plenty of time to play/practice. Now find I play 100 times better than back in the old days. I agree “maturity is actually good for something” makes up for the hair loss and wrinkles.
Hair??
I’d forgotten all about it, thanks for reminding me!
Hey Griff,
Like the other guys above, I should’ve found you years ago, but you weren’t born yet! I got my first guitar (an old Kay twin pickup and a little amp) from a pawn shop in Pennsylvania in 1960. I took it home to Montana, and with three friends, we started a band. We figured we’d turned pro when the neighbor paid us five dollars not to play! (Actually he put it differently!)
Since then, I’ve always had guitars around, and if the music only had three chords, I could do all right. Folk music, blues, simple rock, do-wop, stuff like that. All by ear, trial and error, loud and then some. The “band” only lasted a few months, but I was lucky never to be without people to jam with.
It’s funny – nobody counted (consciously), but we’d look at each other at the end of a piece with amazement that we’d all finished together.
Then life and school and work happened, and although the guitars were there, they had less time devoted to them.
Somehow it’s now, and I’m about to turn 74*!@##ing years old. How’d THAT happen? I’ve been “retired” since 2009, which is already nine years ago! How’d THAT happen? Sheesh!
So I’m a little concerned that my bucket list bucket is developing holes, and that I won’t get through the list.
Let’s see: Finish the compulsory novel, paint more paintings, actually LEARN the fingerboard on the guitar (that C exercise with the metronome is a killer!), and learn a lot more Spanish!
My wife and I spent a lot of ‘no guitar’ time moving down here to Mexico, to stretch our money, and get out of the cold drizzle of Seattle.
Except for Spanish, Mexico is a whole lot the U.S. in the fifties – later for all that.
We live near Puerto Vallarta, which has a lot of music, so I’m hopeful I can get my energy and chops up enough to sit in once in a while.
Yup. As someone said above you’d have to be retired to give a response this long!
As to taking it out and leaving it out… I hope we’re talking about the guitar! (Sorry!)
Thanks again, Griff!
Good luck, fellas!
griff: Retired and I (wrongly) think I have only enough time left to learn songs not theory, scales etc. Any suggestions, (other than the 2 X 20 minutes practice, which is effective, thank you), where I can learn songs and scales kinda simultaneously. My learning style is such that I have to get it right between the eyes for maximum effect (Mike Tyson School of Management, I guess) so give it to me straight. You teach well but I’m a lousy student. Thank you again.
I HAVE BEEN RETIRED SINCE 2001. I BECAME DISABLED AND AFTER 911 I GOT LAID OFF. WHEN I ID WORK, I WAS A COMMERCIAL PILOT, FLIGHT ENGINEER AND TECHNICIAN. SO I WAS ALSO IN A GREAT ROCK BAND. TRYING TO GET MY MARSHAL ARTS AND MY PRACTICING IN FOR GIGS WAS A BIT HARD. SO WHEN I WAS FLYING, I WOULD THROW MY GUITAR IN WITH MY BAGS/ TOOLS AND PLAY IN MY HOTEL AND PRACTICE.
SINCE I HAVE ALL THIS TIME, I PLAY ABOUT 3 TIMES A WEEK AND DO PRACTICE A LOT OF WHAT YOU GIVE ME GRIFF. JUST AT 66, NOW, WITH MY LEFT HAND FADING LIKE CLAPTON’S, ITS A BIT HARD TO PLAY FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES. STILL I CAN GO UP AND PLAY WITH ANY BAND AND DO OK.
Retirement is not all that folks make it out to be. Yeah, no clock to punch, but, sorry Mick, time is not on your side at this point. After two years of this, I am now able to prioritize better than at the start, meaning a lot more practice time, and thanks to you Griff, my guitar has improved dramatically. You are a good teacher, but you play right up there with Bonamassa and McGarvey, which is why you knew WHAT to teach me. No, I will never be in that class of talent, far from it, but at least I will not embarrass myself ever again at a jam. Thanks so much Griff!
You can tell these guys are retired ….. look how long their comments are …. ha! ha!
God Bless ALL of us and never put down that Guitar!
Wow quite a following u have Griff. at 75 and counting I have to put in my 2 cents lol. I have had a Guitar since 1960 i think playing it of and on since then but never making much progress. id listen to rock songs and wish I knew how to make my Guitar cry and sing but I didnt know how as I never had any formal training. then I
found Griff and his 4 note solo. that opened up a whole new world for me. I have quite a few of Griffs courses and look forward to his emails daily you could make a guitar course out of his daily tidbits of information. I play my guitar daily its within reach most of the time. iLL never be as good as id like to be but for me in my retirement years my Guitars have become very good friends of mine. Playing guitar is Therapudick and good for the soul. and griff is a great insperation and teacher.
I could go on and on but I won’t. just want to say to the rest of the Old & Grey croud press on and keep pickin who knows your most sought after AX may be waiting for you at the Pearley Gates.
Well said John
Hi, some thoughts from someone who has kinda retired (I still do a little bit of work for my own one-man business). When I stopped full time work I got guitar lessons with the aim of playing those awesome solos that I’ve admired for years. Think Dave Gilmour, Eagles, etc. However, whilst helpful with techniques like bending, vibrato, slides, hammer ons and pull offs etc. I never felt that I was getting to the level of guitar playing that I really wanted. Made complicated by my son’s phenomenal guitar playing talent! I just look up to him so much and he finds it weird as he has always looked up to me as his Dad all his life!
Anyway I came across Griff and BGU an have learned a great deal these past four years. Also, playing with others inspires you and so I formed a band of similarly aged guys and we are playing for fun mostly but have done one gig. We are called The Elderly Brothers! Making time can be hard with family commitments etc. but please MAKE TIME to play and grab that guitar anytime you have 5 minutes or so. That’s all. Keep on Rocking in the Free World!
I retired about a year ago and try play about an hour or more each day when can. Really have gotten into the blues more since first of year and am starting to nail my scales. Have been sitting in on few jam session at local tavern. And did an acoustic gig with friend at local tavern. so it just keeps getting more and more fun Have a gig tonight even with small combo.
I am retired
Sometime I wear a simple wrist elastic brace two to three inches long to support my left hand.
I also have gotten specific pick that allow me to hold it easier such as dabs grip picks or us blues t3 grip samplers wood type with finger grouves
There are some great finger stretches out there but look for the wrist and neck stretches on PhysioTru therapy you are not use to the position like tracing you fingers don’t forget the other parts it took me six month to learn that before I could start to have any consistency of playing time
Griff I am still trying to finish the beginners blues
You should do one or two short course on counting and Stroming at least 5 minutes 1 mom does not allow time to match strum as 4 beat 7 strums then 4beats 12strums. It hard to say verbally but I be glad to send you video on what I mean I made this email two parts in case you wanted to separate this email
Thank for your courses I will finish them all
Jack
There is no such thing as “having time” for guitar. You’re going to have to “make time” if you ever expect to get further down the road. Let’s face it; for most of us guitar is not going to pay the bills. It won’t mow the lawn, wash the dishes, grocery shop, or take the dog for a walk. In short, it doesn’t do any of the hundreds of small tasks that are required of us. And a lot of the time playing guitar is not the most pleasurable activity you can think to do at the moment. But if you just Set aside those few minutes a day it will pay off.
A couple of years into my retirement I found that I seemed to have more time for guitar back when I was working 12-15 hour days. Then the difference dawned on me. I simply wasn’t making the time.
Thanks for all the lessons Griff. You are truly the reason I’m come as far as I have. Take care. George
Retired for one year now at the young age of 67 – So much to re-learn and new stuff and not enough time – all your recommendations are great – I just bought a replica of the Jimi Hendrix Fender Stat monterey pop festival edition. I have a home studio using PreSonus DAW and am having the time of my life playing all the instruments, drums, piano, bass, and so on.
I would recommend to anyone just retiring take you first year off and play your music as much as you can. Do new stuff. Your days will fly by. I have never played in public so I am not interested in that. I bought Giff’s blues package and am learning so much. Took a couple of cruises with Joe Bonamassa which was great. So much to do so little time. Enjoy yourself.
always have one guitar (right now it’s an Epi JB goldtop but changes on a regular basis) on a stand in the living room…it’s all that the mrs will allow…one of my practice plans is to play during commercials on TV…took me a few years to convince the wife but it is well worth it…later.
cowboy
Griff:
I am 63 and picked back up guitar about 9 years ago after dropping it when I got married at 25. I still work part-time, just to keep my hand in things career-wise and to make extra money, so I have “more” time for guitar. I recall reading the comedian and stellar banjo player, Steve Martin, saying how he keeps a banjo in nearly every room of his home, to pick up when the muse hits him. Of course, the vast majority of us cannot afford to keep an instrument in every room! However, I do keep my Telecaster Highway One leaning against the wall of my small office, hooked up to a small Marshall amp, always ready to go. I keep a Taylor acoustic at hand there as well on a stand, either a 514 CE or my 914 CE, or my Martin 12-string. In our front room I have a 1975 Epiphone dreadnought on a stand, ready to go. I keep capos on each guitar and a tuner handy so each is always in tune.
My “practice” can be one of the latest videos you send around, plus scales, chords and riffs. This always goes into playing actual songs and singing, a “skill” (maybe…) I have developed and find it actually helps my time. I like to sit outside on the deck on weekends, playing songs…I get neighbor feedback…LOL…in fact one neighbor I had never met stopped to listen, clapped, invited himself up to the deck, whipped out a blues harp in “A” and told me to start a 12 bar blues in “A”, and off we went. It was a blast.
In essence, I’ve internalized your views on picking up an axe several times daily. I find, as you suggest, that something I’ve had trouble with suddenly becomes easier after dropping it a while but mulling it over. One sad fact is that I often awaken at 0400 (a product of my earlier commuting life) and find myself visualizing the guitar neck, to identify notes, and practicing scales in my mind’s eye, naming the notes, thence moving to songs and the chordings and solos. Sort of a sickness, but I love it. I actually own BGU Unleashed, Acoustic BGU, and Strumming Mastery, but of course have never worked all the way through any of them, which is my goal. Thank you, Griff, for being a great teacher and motivationalist!
64, still working, I leave my guitar out on a stand and in tune. I pick it up several times a day and noddle. I might go 5 to 10 minutes, than again I might just hit a lick 2 or 3 times. Just to pick it up and do something. this is weird but I think of playing when I’m at work, running it though my mind, how my fingers move on the fret board. on the way home I find myself counting the measure to a song on a radio , I’m not were I want to be, but I am better at some things than I was a year ago, and my wife tells me it is getting better. I am playing over at my buddies house with him and we bounce off each other that way. it is coming along…………………
How applicable Griff!! The points you’ve outlined are definitely things I have gone thru since my retirement 5-6 years ago. I’ve always wanted to learn how to play guitar but work and life got n the way!!
When I retired I figured I would have plenty of time now to devote (sp?) to learning. How mistaken I was, besides getting distracted very easily, it’s been a struggle. Luckily for me I found a great instructor who has alot of patience and is not tied to only one method, besides being very good!!
My distractions come from the fact that I belong to several websites and receive various pointers just about each day. In trying to follow all the tips I end up not really being able to keep up.
I’d like to get your insight as to how many sites, besides yours, in addition to my lessons from my instructor I should focus on?
Thanks in advance.
A really thoughtful blog, Griff, and clearly quite appreciated by your many grateful students, of which I am one. Though not yet at retirement, I can see the day, and my advice is join a band or form a band — minimally, get together regularly with players and singers who enjoy the same music you do. In addition to lighting daily fires to practice, it gets you out of the house making making music with friends old and new.. I never thought I’d be performing in public, but my cover band (3 female vocalists, two guitars, keyboard, bass, and drums) now plays maybe six public gigs a year and has to turn down many more because most of us are still working folks. Logistics can be a challenge, but when it’s all for love of the game, it works out. Thanks for the daily inspiration.
Hey Griff
Thanks for all you’ve done for the young and old players out there. I am 72 years old and retired
2 years ago. I was born and raised in Mississippi
Where i met my wife. We moved to Texas and lived there 41. Recently moved back to Miss. to live out golden years. I have hooked up with some of my ol my old band members and we have gotten together and we are playing twice
A week. We haven’t played together in over 40 years. A few practice sessions – and we are
Back at it again playing for our friends and any one else’s that wants to come out- and what are we playing- THE OLDIES OF COURSE.
THANKS AGAIN BRO. FOR ALL THE HELP
AND ENCOURAGMENT YOU HAVE ME AND OTHERS. PICK ON GUYS!!
72 years old and still playing the blues everyday. Griff, you are an amazing individual and an amazing teacher. My day is not complete without re-playing one of your instructional videos and playing along! At least one of my guitars goes with me everywhere along with my BGU videos and instruction book!
Thank you Griff!
Amazing how many of us have returned to or started guitar later in life. As the variations of responses note, there’s no one answer to the question. Really Appreciate Griff’s ability to provide valuable, usable lessons for all of us!
Great and timely question. Best advice and awesome help in motivation.
I’m 78 years old now, and after on and off playing guitar over the years have found the way to really enjoy myself with it.
One source I’ve discovered that helps me a great deal are your lessons. I keep them in a large binder, each page
protected with a sheet protector. The other source of my enjoyment is the discovery of RiffMaster Pro, a program
to slow down the playing. Playing up to speed has always been more than just a problem for me. I think it comes
naturally with experience, but to start off fast just requires more than I could ever do. I’m slow, but am enjoying
what I do, and with your help still have some mileage left in these old bones. Thanks griff!
Thanks for acknowledging us retired folks and for your tips, which are Right On! Most of us who have spent a lifetime working go through a period of feeling lost when our routine suddenly opens up some time when we can say, “OK, what do I do now and where to I start?” I wish I had discovered your lessons sooner because they are one answer to that quandary which had me in a sort of lethargic limbo for months!
We seniors are often admonished to do mental exercises that “keep our brains sharp” and what more effective and enjoyable way than through music study?
I am retired not by choice but by injury. I use to make what I get for a whole month in a day or two. I do not recommend anyone stop playing because you work. I have my guitars and my combo amp and blues driver hooked up where I can just turn it on and play. The guitar relaxes me like the many walks that I would take after me and my wife were arguing or a girl that I was living with. But as for the guitar I have had so many medical issues that caused me to stop playing for periods of time…like the surgery I am having on the 14th on my left arm. It has to do with corporal tunnel syndrome, digital nerve and among others . May not be able to play oneday but I keep playing until that day happens. So play all you can because you may not get to play oneday….it happens when you least expect it. My guitar is all that I have left…..
Good on you Jumpin Jack Flash, I admire your mindfulness that sets a good example of just relaxing playing the guitar. Best wishes to get through it all and just have your guitar, help.
Michael- Sydney- Australia- Aug 2018.
I’ve been unable to work for 6yrs. and will soon be on disability. As many of you I’ve played on and off for 45yrs, and know after a brief period in my teens and college years I’ll never play in public for money. When I first joined the BGU crew 3-4yrs. ago I threw myself into it, mastering one lesson a week. Noe as de facto head of the household Imy time isn’t always my own. Also ADHD makes 1/2 hr. of practice at a time my limit. Thanks Griff for the pointers to keep in the game. My guitars are always tuned and do the 20min. thing everyday. Though not progressing as much as I’d like, it keeps my eye on the ball and get a little better each day. Being part of some thing as valuable as the BGU community and knowing from experience how generous you are with your time when all other avenues fail to solve a challenge is an inspiration to keep plugging those times when the going doesn’t seem to be getting anywhere. Thanks to all of you. Peace.
My Forum handle,
Hey Griff, Great article and some really good comments here. I retired in 2015, my wife and I sold our house and downsized to another house in the country, well about 35kms from where we were. I am now 71 yrs, well our downsize was upsized in space. Spare Bedrooms! No Kids around.
One bedroom became my Music Den. I have a workstation with my Laptops, Attached sound system, large computer screen. All my 7 Guitars (5 Electrics + 2 Acoustic Electrics are on Stands all around me). Plus My AMPs, Effects pedals already attached to my Marshall and Practice AMP. Shelves with all my BGU Courses (10-12) staring at me daily. Music Stands of what I am currently learning, What songs I am trying to Learn, as well as Online Tuition with Griff email lessons and others (Free) Printed out and in Folders of priority. I purchased new strings, Tuners, Capos, Looper, BOSS ME 80 Effects Board, More Guitars. I am in my Music Den every day & night. I actually pick up a Guitar for about 2 hrs solid learning and practising almost every day or in the evenings after dinner. If watching TV with the wife, I always have a guitar with me on the couch for scales or Riffs I am learning or just noodling (No Amp). Now in retirement I can’t live without picking up one of my guitars daily, it is like not having your Smart Cell with you daily, it is now very much my lifestyle, my wife & my Guitars and learning & playing. Each one has a name..
Time was initially a problem, renovations, Kids, Grand Kids, Wife -shopping etc plus my G.A.S problem.Retirement time “You’re right How did we ever find time to work”. Now in 2018 I am now steaming ahead with my guitar learning & playing during MY TIME (Segments planned ahead weekly or monthly around Retired Life). It all works.
Michael-Sydney-Australia – August 7th, 2018.
Unfortunately, I started learning the guitar in 2013, still working FT but took guitar lessons every weekend with a teacher then I found BGU so did both. I wished I had started much earlier.
Hey Griff,
Just one more Tip for those thinking about learning Guitar or Blues Guitar in retirement.
Suddenly you are now free for enjoyment and above all satisfaction that you are achieving something new that is musical. If you have a ambition to follow your Idols like Chuck Berry, BB King, Eric Clapton or even the Rolling Stones then Do It! If you like to sing then learn some simple songs that you like. If you cannot sing then learn Blues Guitar BGU then you will be able to jam with your friends etc. BGU /Griff offers so many courses that you will simply be able to advance, step by step. It will take the time it takes to learn and absorb something new and your progress will certainly give you a great amount of enjoyment because it keeps your mind and Brain active and obviously your hands and it becomes a challenge, but more importantly it is an active Hobby and keeps you busy. Playing Guitar also brings new friends who are also learning guitar, plan get together’s even with your kids/family..
Good Luck for having a Go. Guitar Playing is another world especially in Retirement.
Michael- Sydney- Australia August 2018.
Hi Griff.
The retirement or pre-retirement age group is an untapped market. I have not seen any teachers reach out to our group. Opportunity is knocking..LOL
Thanks
Bobby Mac
Hey Bobby Mac, maybe you can join me when I hit the retirement home. I’m going to start a Near-Death Metal Band.
It is not really an untapped market – we have this fellow named Griff Hamlin and he caters to people of all ages. I’m 68, retired and have been the late 1990s because of illness. Then 2 years ago, my 50 year cigarette habit gifted me with tongue cancer and I lost 40% of my tongue (there went my singing career). Blues thingers don’t lithp. But, still have fun playing guitar simply for my own pleasure. Also have a keyboard. I took piano lessons as a kid so a lot of theory is always way back in my brain somewhere helping me with both guitar and keyboard. It is a drag being sick but music is therapy to me. Thanks so much, Griff. Life is good!
Oops, 2nd sentence should read “retired and have been SINCE the late 1990s.
I just love it…..and fit in MANY hours most days. I make it a big priority in my life. All the other crap I`ve put up with before retirement is mainly pushed to one side. I feel if you really want to do it, then you will make sure you find the time most days if you are retired.You`ve worked hard all your life and now it`s your turn to do a bit more…(NO. A LOT MORE)of what YOU WANT to do….so tell everybody else to `Get over it`.
I haver contacted you since buying your “Beginning Blues Guitar,” “Blues Guitar Unleashed” and “Four Note Solo’s” but this group message has been an inspiration from you. It has answered my problem , or identified it to me and clarified my intent and reason for buying them.ĺ was sick and now disabled at 50 and I am now 61 but here in the UK I don’t actually retire until I am 67. I won’t work because ever again but I had not been working before I bought your courses. Aged 12 I had lessons but never practised and was dropped by my teacher and the next lessons I began the year before I bought your courses when I had money and I bought two electric and a cheap accoustic guitars. The accoustic was not good at all so I sold it for pennies and found a pre used elec/acc and the first lesson everything came back and my teacher was amazed at my knowledge of open and barred chords, minor and 7th chords and as an assessor for the Royal College of Music wanted to enrol me to the 3rg of 8 grades and higher if I could work hard enough. I am handicapped in my playing because I don’t have the finances and I am tone deaf and no matter what I try my ears never improve so I cannot join in on a jam session because unless told I don’t even have close knowledge of the key it’s being played in. Theory wise my knowledge is more than the unleashed course but in practice I can’t find time and often when it is free I don’t think about it so don’t take my guitars out and do as you suggest and just tune and what you didn’t was clean and maintain them so I can afford some guitar hangers and will purchase some if only as decoration because they are things of beautiful and sensual form and colour. It was over a year of not playing them until three months ago and wow did hurt not just my but my back neck and shoulders. I know chords as I said but it is no fun if you don’t learn to strum as well so I try practicing that and chords get frustrated and put them away again. Wall hanging and time management you have answered my problem fully thank you but I have stood still in playing but I understand a lot of theory of playing an instrument and can slowly find a note on any string and on a keyboard too but I cannot identify a note played to me read music but tabs yes if the songsheet has the rhythm line I can try strumming but I have music books of, Beatles,Bob Dylan,Bruce Springsteen,Leonard Cohen, Oasis, the Who and Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here and only the Bruce one has the strumming patterns and none of the others do and if you know the chords but can only strum down and up beats and it does not come close to feeling you are playing along but making a noise ruining the pleasure. To conclude to progress further my ability and pleasure do you have an course bearing in mind I cannot do a Direct Debit which would be good because I am financially unable to afford the full access to your courses. I need a practice routine I can incorporate into my daily life that will help train my ear and progress my skills instead of going back to the beginning and becoming frustrated and leaving it again and going backwards again. Please I do need help with this problem because I want to play even one song. I have a girl or future wife and a home in the Philippines and to me she is younger than me and the most beautiful woman I have ever known and women from her country are very beautiful. I want to play and sing to her Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight. Thank for reading this mail and I hope you can understand what I am trying to tell you because I am not good explaining things so I know I repeat and don’t always put accross what I am trying to.
Griff , I have been retired since I was 65 ,9 years ago . I have been getting together with my cousin , who plays Mandolin , and 10 other guys once a week . I play guitar , Mandolin and harmonica . Two of the guys play guitar and bandjo , and the others play guitar . We do not always have everyone at one time . I learned a lot from them . At home , I have my instruments set up in my sun room , so I can just walk in and pick one up . But as you were saying , you have to just do it , and not put it off for another day . I try to go back to the courses I bought from you . it really helps to recap what you learned . Griff , thank you for this lesson . As you can see by the responses , We all appreciate your teaching us . Take care , Mike Z.
I have my practice acoustic on a wall hangar in my little ‘man room/study’.I keep it strung with reasonable strings and tuned up. It is always visible and I hear it whisper “play me”. I may be 68 but I’m not ‘nuts’ despite the last statement!
Some things mainly keep me playing almost daily:
1. I play in a church worship team so that keeps me grounded and needing to practice regularly.
2. I love playing outside the house in the quiet of an evening…just jamming away with my own jazz improvisation style (which I could not possibly air in public), sometimes I have received a show of appreciation from neighbours, but that could be whenever I actually stop!
3. I enjoy just picking up my guitar sometimes when we have visitors, this has the effect of enabling my friends and family to accept that my guitar playing is a part of who I am, whether I play well (which is a subjective thing)or not.
4. I listen very often (sometimes to the annoyance of my long-suffering wife) to Jazz guitar music and music that features good guitar playing from a wide range of genre from Pat Metheney, Wes Montgomery, Paco Pene (flamenco) to Dave Gilmour, Brian May and many other really inspirational bands/guitarists. In other words I saturate myself with guitar and love it.
I could go on, but what I am saying is that as a retired man there is always opportunity to pick up a guitar if you look for it and despite my somewhat feeble repertoire there is always something to learn or develop. YouTube is a great medium for learning , jamming and developing the language of music and guitar playing generally. I keep my self very busy during the day (my wife makes sure of that anyway) so just picking up the acoustic and sometimes plugging in my electrics (when the house is empty) and persevering when there seems to be nothing there in my guitar head for a half hour is so beneficial. Don’t be discouraged by those guitarists who always play better than you, cos there is always someone who plays better than them. Look for inspiration but always believe you can inspire someone else.
Thanks Griff for your inspirational teaching and the sacrifice you make (I’m sure) to share your gift with others, especially those who cannot afford good tuition, like me, retired and on a pension.
Keep on strumming, keep on humming.
John
A lot of what you wrote about is true for mebefore and after I retired. Some added problems were pointed out asnnot spending time with the family, noise (my playing wasn’t exactly musicality pleasing) and clutter if leaving guitar and lesson material out. Upon retirement I announced that
The area I wanted to practice in was off limits (in the living room….so I’d be there if needed) and if there was a TV show on I didn’t turn on my amp. Another thing was that I still wake up early so that is mainly when I practice. It had added regularity to my schedule. I’m now encouraged to take a room we stored stuff in and cleaned it out and that will become my musics room. It should be finished in 1-3 weeks depending on honey-do projects slowing me down. Oh and yes I now cans play the 5 pentatonic patterns and move the to any key……just have to get more accurate and faster…..metronome is also dusted off. PS you videos are great, Griff…thanks.
I’ve been retired now for 8 years, I play every day, notice I didn’t say practice, I warm up with chromatics all over the neck up and down and down and across the neck then into scales and things along those lines for maybe 15min. I spend another 15min going through things I have been working on from BGU and 5EBS by which time my brain is frazzled , I take a break, come back later and noodle for a while and try to learn something new , I used to like to sing (not well ) but I haven’t got the breath or the memory to remember the words any more, even songs I have done for years.
What I do find is if I take a break for a few days I can see improvements in my playing, although I have been playing for almost 60 years I am far from good and never will be, but I still enjoy what I do.
My advice is relax take it slow , push yourself but not so hard that it becomes a chore, and enjoy the experience, life is too short to make it the be all and end all. If you can find someone to play with all the better you will find that you can learn from each other and maybe open new avenues.
If you still pay attention to a calendar I find scheduling time helps. Griff you are awesome. Thanks for helping us figure this stuff out.
I retired in early April and I am finding that I now have plenty of time to practice. I split ,my day as follows:
1) Early morning warm up and practice session 1 hour usually scales licks and/or chord progressions
2) Break for Breakfast
3) Morning session – during the morning I will either practice my vocals. Song write or practice guitar some more
4) Break for Lunch
5) In the afternoon I spend learning how to use Band in a Box and/or LogicPro
6) Early evening is home time no music
7) Then between 8:30 and 10pm I play along with my favourite bands on You Tube this is the fun part of the day.
I know its regimented but it’s the only way I know. I do this 5 days a week leaving Saturdays and Sundays free its sort of like work but its much more fun.
I retired 10 years ago and in the last two years decided to try and learn Blues guitar. Between your course and lessons in the last year locally, I can actually play! First, though, you have to understand that I am both tone deaf and have a severe loss from combat injuries. No matter! Just tell me what key or give me the TAB, and the pleaseure of practising each day is something I look forward to and enjoy. While thinking I should have done this as a kid long ago, I am satisfied that my goal of learning one new thing each day proudly sits there on its stand in my office/music room. So glad I found Blues Guitar Unleashed!
Hi Griff, from an overcast Manchester, England. I retired early about eight years ago. One of my priorities was to learn to play a guitar I’d had for years. I have bought nearly all your courses and read/watch your blog most days. Most of the courses are still in the cellophane. Why ? Lack of discipline. I have done what you refer to in your blog – leave a guitar next to the couch, play a couple of minutes here and there. It certainly helps maintain retention, but I con myself that I’ve ‘practised”. As I’ve recently rediscovered you have to be as organised about learning the guitar in retirement as organising your day whilst you were working. Set an alarm, set aside those 20 minutes,in my case an hour – but include tea, do one dvd at a time, tell others to leave you alone (train them as well as your muscles!), leave a BGU dvd in the hard drive of your lap top. It will fire up every time you turn it on. Monitor the days you miss a ‘lesson’…….Set targets,manage it. That’s what the job needed – so does the guitar. It takes discipline because it’s so easy to find things to do and relax all the time, and time slips. This may not sound like much fun at first – but for me a core of organised application and twiddling revision seems to work. Just finished 52 Rhythm Fills & Variations. I’m sure there’s more – but I’ve droned on long enough. All the best Griff and thanks for all your help over the years.
I’ve been retired just over a year and a half now, and find too the time I’d planned on having seems to be far less than I’d hoped for. Partly my fault I guess, since we moved from a rural area to the city and are doing constant renovations on the house while also working a seasonal part time job to help with the “fixed income” thing. Fortunately, I’ve been able to find a couple of groups to jam with, although they’re more bluegrass than blues, but it helps to keep my chops up, and, I’ve found my timing is getting way better – thanks for the tips, Griff – maybe because I’m now more aware of it, and playing with others – even if it’s not exactly my “kind” of music – seems to help, especially since it sets aside time to play each week.
I retired last year and try to play an hour every day. Griff’s course Strumming & Rythym Mastery was a lot of work but has really helped me. Learning barre chords and improving my timing has made playing so much more fun and rewarding. Now I have to get back to his Acoustic BGU course. That will be a huge accomplishment.
Thanks Griff! I hope to retire in next year or two, although I am already past retirement age. I find it difficult to stay on top of my guitar lessons when I come home beat from a manufacturing job. I’m hoping once I retire I can get back to a regular practice schedule. I do have the guitar on a stand, easily accessible, and do often pick it up and go thru things for up to half hour. My biggest free time period is weekend mornings.
I am retired and have difficulty in finding people to play guitar with. If anyone is in the East Bay Area of San Francisco and interested in playing guitar together, please write me at the above email. Bob
I wish I was in San Francisco to play with you (I’m 62). Unfortunately I am in Melbourne, Australia. Good luck.
Hi Bob & Geoffrey, I also wish I was in San Francisco to play with you on guitar ( I’m 71 yrs going on about 40 yrs in mindset). Unfortunately, I am in Sydney, Australia..Good Luck.. But we could always try to do a musical Skype..Or maybe Griff might even have a better idea for us retirees.
Michael-Sydney-Australia Aug 7th, 2018.
Hi Geoffrey,
I am in Melbourne, actually Williamstown to be precise. I retired in 2014 (68 now) and took up the guitar again after many years of absence. If you’re interested in chatting and perhaps meeting then drop me a line at the following address; djwoods2501@gmail.com
Cheers.
To start, I’m retired for 6 years now. I found that getting involved with a group gives you a reasonable pick up your guitar. I’m in two groups, I play in front of someone at least once a week. There are many places you can get involved, (worship team, band, guitar & ukulele groups, ext….) if you want. If you’re having trouble finding a group, try your local music store, many offer group playing. I formed a group that plays for people who are in assisted living or nursing care. I hope this gives you some ideas.
Harry
I have been retired since 03/2012 and learning/playing guitar was high on my list of things to do in retirement. Like Griff has stated I too pushed that priority down the list. I do keep one of my guitars on a stand in my office and inevitability every time I go in there I pick it up and noodle around. Sometimes to the point that I forget why I went in there in the first place.
There is one thing that got me to block off time and practice regularly, that was Griff’s last challenge. I saw a marked increase in my abilities and more so in my confidence.
I find it hard to be patient. Retired for 6 years now and I look at my ability and think where I might be had I stated playing and learning music at an early age. None-the-less, I am playing every day, still learning and some say getting better all the time.
I joined the local blues club ,now I’m jamming in a band , doing gigs ,having to learn songs ,and loving it ,although not getting as much BGU lesson time now .
71 years old been playing a while still learning. guess I will never know it all but keep on trying new things. Do a lot of Jam’s in Clermont Florida area in summer, Winter people from every where are here. Many kind’s of music from mountain to sea to rock & roll mostly retired folk’s I live in a 40′ motor home life is good. So all you retired folk’s do what you feel. Tom
Great post Griff. All those things we had to fit in while working now have taken priority and all those things we want to concentrate on, like learning to play guitar, just get fit in. Definitely need to make playing a priority and realize at our age we will not become a virtuoso and it’s we’re not going to progress as fast as we would have when we were much younger with much less distractions to sidetrack our learning process. Most important to keep the guitar handy, have a well organized learning approach, be patient and most of all, have fun. Thankfully your courses have allowed me to do just that and although that punk kid down the block will always be playing circles around me, I can still enjoy getting to get her with him and sharing a few ideas I’ve learned on guitar and about life. It’s all good!
Good sugestions, I have difficulty,singing a song and counting and keeping the strumming pattern all at the same time .
I also find myself wanting to go off on a tangent and just play cords and little licks and make up runs that aren’t in any way a song ,it’s just fun ,but it takes me off track from proper practice. I can spend hours just noodling .
But always settle down and get back to practice.I thank God that I came across your lessons, I just started way to late.
Thanks Griff
Roland
Retired just last December. Loving the time I get to set aside to “play”. Thanks for all the great advice you share regularly and remembering us oldsters. Life isn’t about just giving things up, we need to remember to take things on, and the joy of the guitar is certainly one of those things.
I do take it out and leave it out. That seems to help. It’s the other things going on in my life that seem to get in the way.
Having that guitar on a stand right where I sit helps.
My plan is to have more time after retiring next year.I currently plan to set specific times.But be flexible. I do find that my hands get a little stiff from mild arthritis though, any ideas Griff?
I retired 6 years ago. I thought I would have more “guitar time”, but something always crops up to take up my time !
What I am finding is that my wrists and fingers are getting tired a lot quicker. Do you have any exercises that you do to help keep your hands strong and flexible ?
Playing
After retiring, I thought I was in heaven. No alarms, commuting, dodgy canteen foods, etc. But the killer was TV. From watching two maybe three hours before bed, I was now exposed to a mind numbing procession of utter drivel.I picked up my grandson’s toy guitar and got hooked. Best decision I ever made.Retirees need a hobby to keep their brain occupied. And guitar is great therapy. Learning something new or rediscovering and old hobby is so invigorating.Who needs TV.
Hi Bryan.
A good exercise is to stretch your arm out to the the front of you And 1. pull your hand back toward you in the 12 and 6 o’clock position and 2. when your hand is in the down position (6 o’clock) rotate it (by pulling your hand) toward the 12 0’clock position. You will feel a good stretch in the forearm elbow region.
I’ve had bad pain particularly in the strumming wrist and by doing this it cleared it up in a couple of days.
Hope this helps.
Oops That should read 11 o’clock for the left arm and 1 0’clock for the right arm