EPOCH6

Age doesn't matter. Determination and practise matters.

Fortunately guitar manufacturers make it a very easy hobby to approach, there is something available in all price ranges from $100 to $5000 or more, cheapest starting at $100 for a guitar and practice amp (Robson is a common starter brand). For a first guitar you should probably consider a Fender Squier, that's the classic option, it'll probably cost you around a $150. I'd commit to spending $200 for a guitar / practice amp if you want something that'll get you through the learning curve somewhat smoothly without frustrating you out of the hobby.

Better, if you have a friend that plays, ask if you can borrow one of their guitars to learn. If they've been playing a while chances are it will be of higher quality and will make things easier on you. The difference in price points among guitars typically relates directly to build quality and hardware quality. More expensive guitars have more professional finishes that allow your hand to move along the neck much more easily, the fretboard will feel smoother and less sticky allowing for easier chord movement, the guitar will stay in tune longer, and of course sound nicer due to higher quality pickups. But if that's not an option don't be discouraged, starter guitars work fine for their purpose.

Judging by your Last FM you're going to be aiming for metal / rock styles. This means you'll want to start out by learning how to read guitar tablature, Google and YouTube are your friend. If you're going to try and learn on your own without a teacher I recommend the following order of steps:

- Tuning your guitar / note names along the neck in standard tuning
- Reading & writing tablature
- Basic chords: D, G, Em, C
- Basic 12-bar blues & finger exercises
- Learning and transcribing basic rock songs

YouTube is an endless resource for learning guitar on your own, just try to keep focused on a particular order of lessons, don't jump around to learning random techniques here and there, avoid videos called "How 2 solo". Once you've got a feel for your guitar and your fingers are starting to feel comfortable along the neck search up some YouTube tutorials on playing basic rock songs like Sunshine Of Your Love, or Paranoid, or Smoke On the Water, or Seven Nation Army. Even if you don't care for the artists, it's about teaching your fingers how to move, and pop songs are always the simplest to learn.

Force yourself to learn the basics first, make sure you can play those basic songs perfectly, then you can move forward and start learning to play along with songs you really like. Skipping steps and refusing to learn the basics first is the fastest way to get discouraged and drop the hobby. Pace yourself, take it slowly. Come back to this thread with any questions and I'll gladly help, I'm sure Plankton and Chula will be happy to help too.

__________________