I doubt it. In my experience, I've seen students learn well into their 70's. We all know learning slows with age and it would be a lie to say otherwise. However, it’s never too late to enjoy the benefits of learning music, especially if you can progress at your own pace in a relaxed, supportive format.

While there are people who possess a certain knack for playing guitar, they are a very small minority and probably started playing at a very young age and had access to a musical family or were able to afford the best teacher in town.

For the most part, guitar playing isn't a gift, it's work. Progress comes from small but consistent amounts of the right type of practice (this is crucial!).

Everyone has their own unique set of physical hurdles when it comes to their hands. But being an experienced teacher and professional musician, I've seen guitar players with hands and fingers of all sizes.

I've even had students with injuries such as a crooked finger or even a missing pinky fingertip! Over time and by practicing good technique, they successfully managed to adapt to these ailments and make reasonable progress.

If you're talking about becoming a reasonably good player, then of course that can take years (and probably much longer without guidance).

But... there are many things that you can play on the guitar from day one, which is exactly what I do with my beginner students.

Once you learn these things, the motivation and excitement you get will carry you forward.

Though not strictly a question, believe or not, this is the exact wording a student once used when describing their previous guitar teacher. Partly as a consequence of that teacher, she stopped playing for 53 years (yes, fifty-three!) before coming to me. Isn't that crazy?

It can be so nerve wracking whether you're rekindling an old passion or starting afresh. I remember how nervous I used to get in my lessons (my hands literally used to shake). It's horrible to think that somebody gave up for that long because of a bad teacher. Students thrive in an environment in which they can work steadily, at their own pace and without fear of judgement.

How to Navigate an Online Course

You might rightfully be feeling a little apprehensive about how to navigate an online course. Don't worry, I have you covered! In this section I'll give you an overview of how to make your way through the course so you can maximise your enjoyment and learning experience without getting lost.

Preparing to Play Guitar

A little preparation goes a long way.

Even if you've already started playing, it's well worth re-covering all the basics so you have minimal gaps in your knowledge.

In this section we will cover:

• What You Will Need
  Obviously you need a guitar but there are other very handy things to know that help all beginner guitar players progress with less frustration.
• Mindset
  How to think about guitar playing so that you can power on through when you hit a wall.
• Buying Your First Guitar
  Don't have a guitar yet? No problem! I'll introduce you to what you need to know before you buy your first guitar.
• Getting Comfortable
  Let's make learning guitar as comfortable as possible so you avoid incorrect posture and backache.
• Guitar Anatomy
  Learn what all the different parts of the guitar are called which will help your ability to receive concise teaching directions.
• Tuning
  If you're not in tune, it doesn't matter how well you play so I'll introduce you to various tuning methods to give you the best possible sound.

Hand Positions & Holding the Pick

• How to Hold Your Guitar Pick
  It seems so simple yet many people get this wrong early on and have to change it later.
• Hand Positioning  Learn best practices for positioning each of your hands on the guitar body to give you the best possible chance at good technique.
• Optimal Fret Position
  Learn the exact place to put your fretting hand fingers so that you avoid dull notes and nasty fret buzzing.

Basic Music Theory for Beginners

Learning guitar without music theory is like trying to explore a new city without a map 😕 You might stumble across some cool spots, but with a guide, you understand where you are, where you're going, and how to get there faster 🗺️

Music theory doesn't have to be scary either, especially when it's broken down into manageable chunks. By grasping even the basics taught here, you'll be putting yourself at an advantage because you won't just be able to play, you'll understand too.

Reading TAB, Chord & Strum Diagrams

Some non-negotiable things here, especially if you want learning to be easier in the long term...

• Guitar TAB Basics
  Truly an absolute must-learn for all guitar players. Guitar TAB opens up a whole world of opportunity for learning music. I'll teach you how to read Guitar TAB and you'll see why it's so important.
• How to Read Chord Diagrams
  Another essential component of learning the guitar. You'll be seeing a lot of these and by knowing how they work, you'll be able to learn chords with ease and start piecing together your favourite songs.
• How to Read Strum Diagrams
  A methodical, beginner friendly way to approach strumming patterns shown with clear, concise, on-screen instructions.

The Melody Lab

Why the Melody Lab Works (Even if You’ve Tried and Struggled Before)...

• Start Playing Music Instantly
  No more waiting weeks to hear something that sounds like music. You’ll be jamming with custom backing tracks from the very first exercise.
• No Chords? No Problem.
  Beginners often quit because chords are awkward and discouraging. The Melody Lab gets you making music without the pain — no muting issues, no barre chords, no stress.
• Build Real Guitar Skills Naturally
  Without even realizing it, you'll develop finger control, timing, musical phrasing, and fretboard familiarity — all essential skills for your future progress.
• Step-by-Step, String-by-String
  You’ll start on just one string and gradually expand to all six, gaining confidence and control as you go. Each new part builds on the last — no guessing, no overwhelm.
• Instant Fun = Real Motivation
  Every exercise comes with a backing track, so you're not just practicing — you're playing real music with your own virtual band! 🎸🎹🥁🎤

Bonus

Not only is there guitar TAB on-screen to guide you through each and every exercise but there's also a fully interactive course workbook containing all the exercises (along with a condensed, printer friendly version).