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  #1  
Old Jun 06, 2008, 12:32 PM
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seeker1950 seeker1950 is offline
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Well, here I am, 57, with some arthritis in my hands, but thinking about getting a guitar. I had to sell my dad's Martin 0018 a few years ago, after having it hang on my wall for several years collecting dust, in order to pay the college grad tuition. The instrument held a lot of sentimental value to me, having watched my dad play all the while growing up and listening to him, then taking it off to college with me in the late '60's early '70's to play and sing in the college coffeehouses. At the stage I'm in now, I'm wanting to return to my music...maybe need to take some lessons as well and certainly work hard to adjust my hands to handling a guitar.
Patty

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  #2  
Old Jun 06, 2008, 01:17 PM
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bflatgary bflatgary is offline
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Kowinkidink!

I am 57, with arthritis (rheumatoid, including my hands), and I have been thinking about picking up my guitar for the first time since the 1970's. I have been a musician since I was ten, but my primary interest was classical, and I played the clarinet and the sax. Arthritis prevents me from playing those anymore, but I think the guitar would be good exercise for the fingers.

I still have the guitar I bought in 1971. I will probably need to replace the strings, but it is probably in pretty good shape. What little I know now is self-taught. I still have the guitar book I was working with back then.

Good luck with it, and please keep us posted!

bfG
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  #3  
Old Jun 06, 2008, 01:36 PM
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Brian37 Brian37 is offline
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the key to playing guitar is your left hand (assuming you play right handed)

thats the hand that works the fretboard and without it your lost

acoustic guitars are harder to play because it requires more pressure on the strings to get "pure" tones

electric guitars, the strings are closer to the fretboard......

pawn shops are loaded with guitars and small amps that have seen little or no playing time...just make sure the neck is straight

rock on!
  #4  
Old Jun 06, 2008, 04:29 PM
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splitimage splitimage is offline
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Go for it. Music can be such a great past time. I've thought about taking up the guitar, just so that I'd have an instrument that's more portable than the harp. I took up harp about 5 years ago as an adult and love it.

--splitimage
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Gonna get me a guitar...
  #5  
Old Jun 06, 2008, 06:07 PM
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Timgt5 Timgt5 is offline
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I had acouple once and played a lot ion HS and College, thingk about buying myself another, maybe we can all get together one day and shred

Good Luck
  #6  
Old Jun 06, 2008, 11:49 PM
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Fuzzybear Fuzzybear is offline
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Patty, that's so cool!! Gonna get me a guitar... Gonna get me a guitar... Gonna get me a guitar...
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  #7  
Old Jun 07, 2008, 11:01 AM
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I did this back in '02 and really loved learning. I never learned well back in my teens but at 38 in 2002, I bought 3 guitars and a small amp and took lessons. Has been great. Getting the guitar is one thing - but playing songs you like is tremendous. Plus, once you start to improvise, you really feel good since you're letting out emotions in a new way.
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  #8  
Old Jun 07, 2008, 07:37 PM
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seeker1950 seeker1950 is offline
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Thanks all of you for the feedback! I'm surprised to see the responses!
I've been doing a lot of research and found a company, Zager Guitars, in Nebraska, where they build "easy play" guitars, with modified necks for easy chording. I think this is what I'm going to purchase, directly from him, although they are also on ebay.
I will keep you updated on my guitar adventure!
Bflatgary...it sounds like we have a lot in common...same age, arthritis in our hands, and wanting to return to playing! Keep me informed of your own progress!
Patty
  #9  
Old Jun 07, 2008, 08:32 PM
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TaintedGoth1 TaintedGoth1 is offline
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My fiancee is a musician as well! He loves playing guitar...and I love to listen...I think music is an excellent stress reliever on top of being something that we can enjoy doing.

Best of luck to you!
  #10  
Old Jun 14, 2008, 11:05 AM
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seeker1950 seeker1950 is offline
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OH, my gosh...what a wonderful instrument! For anyone considering purchasing a new guitar, I can recommend this one. It's a Zager guitar, and they have a website where Danny Zager, who builds them, gives many video demo's as well as explaining why they're easier to play. I ordered the 50 acoustic model, because it is smaller body and much like the Martin 0018 I had inherited from my dad, but this one is much better than the Martin, and a Martin would have cost in the $1000's.
I'll let you know if I actually begin playing actively. Right now it's just relearning much of what I've forgotten.
Patty
  #11  
Old Jun 14, 2008, 11:29 AM
Anonymous929112
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Wow! Good luck! I hope your hands will work in your favor! Music is such a soothing source in life!

Pssst.... I'm going to get my very own electrical guitar next week... I've wished to have one since I was a kid. I have one acoustic "Spanish" guitar and one acoustic steel string western guitar... already...

(((((((( seeker1950 Gonna get me a guitar... )))))))
  #12  
Old Jun 14, 2008, 04:30 PM
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seeker1950 seeker1950 is offline
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Daynight! That little guitar pickin' smiley gave me a chuckle1 Where did you find that one?
Patty
  #13  
Old Jun 14, 2008, 06:08 PM
Anonymous929112
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a secret of mine... lol

here's one more

Gonna get me a guitar...
  #14  
Old Jun 14, 2008, 07:08 PM
seeker1950's Avatar
seeker1950 seeker1950 is offline
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So cool and funny!
Thanks!
Patty
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